At that intersection is also Greenhaven Place, a senior living facility. Eric and Louey were on their way just after 6 p.m. to have dinner at Banzai Sushi in the Grocery Outlet shopping center, located across Riverside Boulevard from the Elks Lodge 6 parking lot.

But they did not make it to the restaurant because, when crossing the boulevard, they were hit by a car.

“I don’t know if I saw it coming. The only thing I remember is looking both ways before starting to cross,” Eric said. “We were struck by a lady in a speeding white Toyota Camry and we were both seriously injured.”

It was not a hit-and-run; the driver stopped and cooperated with police.  The police reported that the driver was cited for speeding. Both Eric and Louey were taken to the UC Davis Medical Center.

Eric sustained a brain bleed, concussion, fractured fibula (calf bone), abrasions and bruises. Sandy, a Greenhaven resident, suffered several broken bones requiring extensive surgery and rehabilitation. Two years later, she said, “I’m grateful to be alive, healthy and to have the love of family and friends.”

Eric had twice-weekly physical therapy for six weeks after being released from the hospital. During that period, Eric said, “I used a walker and then graduated to a cane before the therapists said I could safely walk on my own.”

His neurologist said that Eric could not play any “helmet sports.” He was also excused from PE for a year.

Eric, 14, completed eighth-grade on June 10 at Winston Churchill Middle School, a magnet school in Carmichael offering the International Baccalaureate program. He is now a Mira Loma High School freshman.

Eric’s interests include martial arts (kung fu for seven years), reading, video games, Pokémon, Taylor Swift and cats. Eric said that it was appropriate that Prime Minister Churchill had a pet Bulldog named Rufus. He is “kind of like Churchill and Rufus because they represent strength and the ability to keep going, even when things get tough. Since the accident, I have developed a new interest: advocating for public safety.”

“As a person, I am more careful and aware of safety issues in the community,” Eric said. “I wanted my eighth-grade community service project to be more of a personal project, something I could be an advocate for and truly support.”

Eric’s community-service project is to get the city to install a push-button Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at the current crosswalk on Riverside Boulevard and Lelandhaven Way, which will make it safer for pedestrians to cross the intersection.

Eric’s eighth-grade community service project involved the whole family. He said, “My father has been the contact with Rick Jennings’ staff on the issue.” Eric also met with Jennings earlier this summer. His mother said, “Councilman Jennings said he would like to help Eric and that Eric should keep collecting more signatures in the meantime. Councilman Jennings indicated that these processes can take a very long time, so Eric should be patient.”

Sacramento Elks Lodge 6 Exalted Ruler Rob Moore, who has two small children, said, “I’m extremely proud that we are supporting Eric and his petition drive. This is a dangerous crossing on a 40-mile-per-hour boulevard.”

Eric has a large, bright yellow poster set up from 11 to 1 on most Sunday mornings at the Elks Lodge 6 parking lot at 6446 Riverside Blvd., and one section asks: “What is a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB)?” An RRFB lights up when a pedestrian pushes a button to cross the street. It lights up only when someone is crossing, allowing traffic to flow on busy Riverside Boulevard.”

Eric’s petition states: “Neighbors for Safer Streets for All

Yes! I will join my Pocket Greenhaven neighbors to make our roadways safer for all children, seniors, and cyclists. I urge the Sacramento City Council to install a push-button Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at the current crosswalk on Riverside Boulevard and Lelandhaven Way, so we can all live in a safer community.”

Eric continues to collect signatures for his petition drive. When he approaches someone, he typically says, “Hi, I’m Eric. I was hit by a car (pointing in the direction of the street) crossing Riverside Boulevard. I want to make this safer for others. Would you sign my petition?”

Just moments before the 2022 accident, Eric was looking forward to Japanese curry. Last month, Eric finally returned to Banzai Sushi for Japanese curry.

While he has recovered, Eric remains dedicated to gathering enough signatures to go before the Sacramento City Council to keep area residents and visitors safe at the crossing where he was hit in 2022.