SPRINGFIELD – A third person has been hit by a car while crossing Touhy Avenue in Des Plaines, prompting State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) and State Representative Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) to push for new pedestrian safety measures on the busy state route.

An unidentified man was hit and injured early this morning as he exited a bus on the south side of Touhy Avenue near Wolf Road, according to Des Plaines police. The man was transported to a local hospital and is now in stable condition.

“This man is lucky to have come away with his life,” said Murphy. “Clearly there is a problem with this location on Touhy Avenue, and it is past time for the government to do something about it. How many more have to be hurt or killed before action is taken?”

This victim is the latest of many struck on Touhy Avenue in recent months, resulting in two fatalities in less than a year.

Both fatal accidents involved employees of the LSG SkyChefs facility located across Touhy Avenue from the Pace Suburban Bus stop. LSG SkyChefs employees often take the bus and must cross seven lanes of heavy traffic to get to work.

Although LSG SkyChefs has attempted to decrease the risk to employees by implementing a shuttle system, Murphy and Moylan urge the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Pace to make changes too.

“Long-term solutions aren’t enough,” said Moylan. “We can’t risk any more lives. We need to start making improvements today.”

Murphy suggests installing better lighting, lowering speed limits and moving the bus stop to a safer location to reduce Touhy Avenue crossings.

Both legislators encourage IDOT and Pace to implement immediate changes to increase safety.