Local grandmother helps students cross street where grandson was hit, killed by car in July

PITTSBURGH — Every school day this school year, Dashieba Wilder has been helping about two dozen kids cross Johnston Avenue and get on and off the bus each morning and afternoon.

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She does it because her grandson, 6-year-old Jamel Austin, was hit and killed while riding his bicycle on this same block in Pittsburgh’s Glen Hazel neighborhood in late July.

Pittsburgh police say 63-year-old Rhonda Wood was the driver.

She has been charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, careless driving involving death, and a stop sign violation.

“They say, ‘oh she’s a little mature, she’s 63 years old. She’s a little old to be in this type of trouble.’ My grandson was 6,” said Wilder. “He’s too young to be in a god-daggone coffin.”

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According to the criminal complaint, Wood was talking on her cellphone and did not stop at a stop sign before plowing into young Jamel, who was trying to cross Johnston Avenue on his bike.

RELATED >> Community in shock after 6-year-old boy was killed while riding his bike in local neighborhood

“You know what you did. You should accept accountability for what you’ve done. A 6-year-old lost their life because you chose to be on the telephone,” Wilder said, directing her message at Wood.

Wilder says far too many drivers ignore the 25-mph speed limit, the stop sign, and the many kids on Johnston Avenue.

“You cannot kill somebody’s kid because you’re trying to shave off a few minutes,” said Wilder.

RELATED >> Community in shock after 6-year-old boy was killed while riding his bike in local neighborhood

That’s why she drives over from the North Side every school day to watch over the kids each morning and afternoon.

She’s also petitioning the city to reduce the speed limit to 15 mph, add speed bumps, and pay a full-time crossing guard before and after school.

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“It’s the small things that you can do that’s immediate, that’ll help us out. I’m out here by myself,” said Wilder.

To share her thoughts and ideas, Wilder has a meeting scheduled with the mayor for next week.

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