Merrick intersection where 14-year-old biker was hit by truck has long history

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People who spend time near the intersection of Merrick Avenue and Sunrise Highway, where police say a 14-year-old boy was hit by a pickup truck Friday night, say it is not surprising that somebody else was hit there. "When I was in high school at Calhoun, one of my classmates' little brother passed away at the same intersection," remembered Moises Ramirez, who lived in Merrick. Since 2014, News 12 has covered three different deadly accidents at that intersection, and people have different theories why. One local man said he thinks "the cars go a little too fast," while Ramirez wondered "I don't know if there's like a blind spot, I can't tell, if people are just wanting to get to the Meadowbrook [Parkway]." Despite the history and how busy it is, bikers are still a common site at the intersection. News 12 cameras saw multiple riders trying to cross Saturday night. Some said they were coming or going to the nearby turf field. Others said they were going to one of the numerous nearby restaurants. Ramirez said that when he bikes there "I'm always cautious, even with the walking sign." Michael Vurro, who is also from Merrick, said he is cautious at the intersection with his bike. "I wait for the light to cross, but I try to anticipate things before they may happen, and then stop early," he said. Police have not said whether they think the truck, or the biker is to blame in Friday's crash. They do say, however, the driver, who was going on Sunrise Highway, did stay on the scene after hitting the boy, who was on Merrick. Still, Ramirez says at this intersection, "there's like little concern for cyclists, there's no dedicated bike lane." Another man said he also believes more could be done to improve safety. "I think they need more crossing guards, that's my opinion, I don't see it," he said. Police told News 12 they did not have any updates on the 14-year-old victim of the most recent crash as of Saturday night. They only said that he remains in critical condition at the hospital. "