New bus shelter, stop signs meant to keep students safe after girl's death

CINCINNATI - A memorial to a 9-year-old will make waiting for the school bus a little easier for many students in Westwood, especially as many of them head back to school Wednesday.

Tyala Frazier died in March when she ran into traffic at a busy intersection and was hit by a van and a metro bus.

Now, there is a bus shelter in Frazier's memory inside Laffuille Apartments, where she lived with her parents.

Stop signs have also been added to the intersection of Laffeuille Avenue and Westbrook Drive where some students still wait for the school bus.

Residents worked hard for safer streets and to slow down distracted drivers. Tracy Lovins led the neighborhood's efforts by making signs, organizing a petition for stop signs, and even yelling at speeding drivers.

"It's a good thing, it's a blessing. It's really a blessing, because I know the children feel safer in here because the buses will come into the complex to pick them up," said Lovins.

She says her work isn't finished. Lovins said students from other neighborhoods and apartment complexes still wait for the bus on the side of the busy road.

She says her focus is now on the rest of the area.

A memorial for Tyala is still at the intersection. The stuffed animals are piled high, reminding drivers to slow down and pay attention to the road, and pedestrians to look both ways when crossing the street.