PennDOT has unveiled a $10 million safety plan targeting a stretch of MacDade Boulevard in Ridley Township known for frequent accidents, writes Madeleine Wright for CBS News Philadelphia.
The project is a response to years of serious crashes, including an April 16, 2024, hit-and-run that killed 17-year-old Damien Hocker. The driver was later identified and convicted.
Since then, Elizabeth Hocker has channeled her grief into action, working with lawmakers at the local and state levels to advocate for safer streets. She is a board member of PA Safe Roads PAC and part of the Families for Safe Streets of Greater Philadelphia advocacy group.
“Every time we lose a young person like Damien, we’re losing all of their potential,” she said. “That’s why it’s so important to make changes to our roads.”
Sharang Malaviya, senior manager for PennDOT’s Traffic Engineering and Safety Division, said the Hocker family’s advocacy has been a motivating factor behind the planned upgrades to the stretch of MacDade Boulevard, which recorded 320 crashes between 2020 and 2024.
The project will include new traffic signals, crosswalks, a pedestrian island, countdown timers, and flashing beacons.
Read more about the safety project in CBS News Philadelphia.
Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on DELCO Today in April 2026.
