HARVEYS LAKE -- More than a week after the hit-and-run death of Paula Jones, athletes and officials from around Harveys Lake are working to make the area where the crash happened a safer place for people and cyclists.
Jones was training for a triathlon earlier this month when police said she was hit and killed by Michael Scavone. Police say his blood-alcohol level was more than 2.5 times the legal limit.
"What really got to everyone was the drunk driver," said Harveys Lake Run Director Richard Pais, adding the crash may have been avoided if the driver was sober.
Cyclists, like Louise Alabre-Trumm agree, adding the narrow roads around Harveys Lake can be dangerous for cyclists. Athletes want to see specific riding times for bicyclists, speed bumps installed, and even add bike lanes to roads.
"It would be nice if there were truly riding lanes and walking lanes," she said.
"That is not gonna happen," said Chief Charles Musial of Harveys Lake.
Instead, Chief Musial says police are taking a proactive approach, hiring a part-time officer whose job will be to patrol around the lake. PennDOT will also add more speed limit signs and replace old signs.
"We looked at what we could do immediately and that was the signage. That's the first step, and they put an order in for every sign to be replaced," Musial said.
As for Scavone, he's charged with homicide by vehicle under the influence and other related charges. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 27.
