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In a swift response to tragedy, the McFarland Village Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to commission a full traffic study at the intersection of Main Street and Lewis Avenue — the same crossing where 8-year-old Braeyla Valenza was struck and killed by a vehicle less than a month ago.
The board’s decision comes after weeks of growing pressure from residents and local advocates who have long raised concerns about the intersection’s design. With limited crosswalks, poor lighting, and frequent high-speed traffic near elementary school routes, many parents say the crash was preventable.
“We can’t bring Braeyla back, but we can make sure no other family suffers this way,” said Village President Mary McRoberts during the March 25 meeting. The traffic study, estimated to cost $12,000, will evaluate crash data, traffic volume, pedestrian visibility, and potential infrastructure changes such as roundabouts or traffic signals.
According to the McFarland Police Department, preliminary reports indicate the driver remained at the scene and has not been charged at this time. However, the investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not yet released the speed of the vehicle or other factors.
Braeyla, a second-grader at McFarland Elementary, was on her way home with her grandmother when the incident occurred. Her family has since created a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $45,000 for funeral expenses and a memorial project at the intersection. “She loved riding her bike and drawing flowers. We want to turn that corner into a safe place where kids can be kids again,” said her aunt, Sarah Valenza.
The traffic study is expected to take 60 to 90 days. In the interim, the village will install temporary speed bumps and enhanced signage, as well as increase police patrols during school drop-off and pickup hours.
This incident mirrors a broader issue in Dane County, where pedestrian-involved crashes have risen 22% over the past three years, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Local groups like the Dane County Safe Kids Coalition have renewed calls for more protected crosswalks and traffic-calming ordinances.
Community members are invited to a public hearing on April 10 to discuss preliminary findings from the village’s internal safety audit. “We want to hear from everyone — drivers, parents, teachers — because this is everyone’s street,” said McRoberts.
As of March 27, 2025, no formal lawsuit has been filed, but the Valenza family has retained legal counsel to explore options regarding road design liability. Meanwhile, a petition started by neighbors demanding “complete streets” for McFarland has already gathered 1,200 signatures.
The study’s final report will be presented to the Village Board in June, with potential funding for construction coming from the village’s $2.4 million transportation reserve.
For now, a small memorial of teddy bears, flowers, and hand-painted rocks sits at the northeast corner of the intersection — a quiet reminder that behind every traffic statistic is a child’s name.
“Braeyla’s law” has already been informally mentioned in board discussions, and village attorney Sandra Lee said a formal ordinance proposal may be drafted later this year to require traffic studies for any intersection near a school after a fatal crash.
McFarland Village Hall stated that all future intersection projects would be re-evaluated with pedestrian-first design principles, a shift that many hope will prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again.
