Frances died at this dangerous intersection two years ago, but it is yet to be fixed

A coroner has demanded that authorities urgently fix a dangerous road in Footscray as “little if anything has been done” since a 22-year-old was killed there two years ago.

Frances Jeyann Ramirez was hit by two cars at night on November 25, 2023, as she crossed Hopkins Street towards her home in the Joseph Road precinct – a housing redevelopment criticised for its poor infrastructure.

Deputy state coroner Paresa Antoniadis Spanos released her findings into Ramirez’s death on Tuesday, and urged Maribyrnong City Council and the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to build traffic lights at Hallenstein Street.

Spanos said the intersection where Ramirez was struck had “dramatically changed” in recent years as apartment towers had been built nearby, but upgrades to traffic signals, pedestrian crossings and streetlights had lagged.

“While council has developed a concept for these improvements, little if anything has been done to address the safety of the growing population in that area,” Spanos said.

“Maribyrnong City Council’s functional layout plan and traffic signal plan – which sets out the layout of signal installations and street lighting designs – is yet to be approved as the documents require further development.”

Darrell Pitt, of the Joseph Road Precinct Action Group, said the coroner’s findings were no surprise to residents who have been demanding improvements for years.

“Residents are really furious in the respect that this accident never needed to happen,” he said.

“A young woman died because council and DTP failed to plan for the infrastructure needed here.”

The coroner found Ramirez’s death was “a tragic accident” and the Filipino student might have been distracted by her mobile phone and earbuds as she crossed the road.

She said: “The available evidence supports a finding that inadequate street lighting at the location contributed to both drivers’ inability to see Ms Ramirez in time to avoid the collision/s in which she sustained fatal injuries.”

Hopkins Street is a state-managed road and Maribyrnong council passed a motion last month urging the government to fund an upgrade.

However, the Transport Department told the coroner that the council was responsible under the Joseph Road Precinct Development Contributions Plan.

Pitt said he was dismayed that neither authority had taken responsibility to resolve the problem.

“It should have happened years ago,” he said.

Councillor Samantha Meredith, speaking as a resident who used to lead the Joseph Road residents’ group, said some locals had heard screams when Ramierz was hit.

“There are a few of us who can’t walk down that section of Hopkins Street any more,” she said. “It’s frustrating to see that the road is basically the same.”

Meredith noted the speed limit had been reduced to 40km/h and some warning signs added.

But she said the new limit was rarely adhered to and argued more upgrades were needed as more apartment towers were finished.

“It’s incredibly upsetting. We do not want to see another death,” she said.

Maribyrnong council chief executive Celia Haddock acknowledged the coroner’s findings and said the council would formally respond within the required time frame of three months.

“Any loss of life on the roads within our city is heartbreaking,” she said. “Our condolences are with the family of Ms Ramirez following this tragic accident.

“We are continuing to work with the Department of Transport and Planning, as the road owner, on vital road safety improvements.”

A Department of Transport spokesperson also said they were reviewing the coroner’s findings and offered their condolences to Ramirez’s family.

“We will continue to work with Maribyrnong City Council as they progress designs for safety improvements.”

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.