The death of Greg Futchi — a dedicated and respected member of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida — has sparked a rally that will take place in Wilton Manors City Hall today from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Those attending the rally will focus on demanding that the city take measures — possibly add a crosswalk or a light at the street — that would prevent future similar tragedies in the area.
The Broward Sheriff's Office said Futchi had just left a restaurant near 2000 Wilton Drive and was attempting to cross multiple lanes of traffic when he was hit by a 2012 Nissan Versa driven by 26-year-old Shannon Lynae Gierman of Oakland Park.
Futchi was not using a designated crosswalk, according to the sheriff's office. He was taken by the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue to Broward Health Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Broward Sheriff's Office Traffic Homicide Unit.
Dangerous roads are a persistent problem in Broward County, not to mention the state. In just the past few weeks, two cyclists have died in the county after being hit by cars — a problem that cycling leader Ray Strack (who himself was hit by a car last year) says he believes could be alleviated if drivers obeyed existing laws. On Las Olas Boulevard, business owners worried about the danger of crossing the street fought to have an expensive flashing crosswalk installed, and pedestrians have access to bright-orange flags they can wave to be seen while crossing.
Friends of Gregory Futchi remember him as an avid musician and opera singer and hope to encourage change in his memory.