There was a wonderful turnout yesterday for the candlelight vigil for Aileen McKay-Dalton at the site of her fatal accident (Clinton and DeKalb Avenues). Family, friends, and members of the community were all there to support Aileen’s family and Councilmember Letitia James in their fight for a thorough investigation into the accident. According to Councilmember James, “the investigation apparently defected blame, it was rushed, it is inaccurate, the report did not include the facts, and there were too many witnesses to be ignored.” Ms. James said three witnesses have given statements to her office that conflicted with the police report. She is asking the community to call One Police Plaza to urge Police Commissioner Kelly to investigate the incident. There will also be an online petition.

Members of the community are calling for traffic calming in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. There is a general feeling that motorists are speeding through the community. “Everyone on the streets should use caution and not always assume the other person will obey the law,” said Ms. Amyre Loomis from Councilmember James' Office. Paul White of Transportation Alternatives feels that one way to prevent similar incidents from happening is through “better enforcement and prosecution of reckless motorist.” Ms. James said, “If there is a legacy for Aileen, it is to improve our streets so no one else will have to suffer the same faith.” The Fort Greene Association will dedicate their September 20, 2010 public meeting to traffic calming in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill.

There will be a memorial service today at 5:30pm at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture in Park Slope and Aileen’s body will then be flown back to her native Scotland.

After the vigil ended, Ms. James received a phone call from Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes, saying that he will be investigating the accident.