The loved ones of a teenager who died after a crash on a narrow roadway through woodland have launched a campaign for Parsons Lane in Devonshire to be converted into a one-way street to save lives.

Olivia de Frias, aunt of 16-year-old Josh Frias who lost his life on July 17, said the road had “long been recognised as dangerous”, writing: “Speed bumps are not an effective solution, as bike riders can easily fly over them.

“It is past time for the Government to make this change. One accident is one too many.”

Ms de Frias said she had begun the online petition on the Change.org site in honour of the CedarBridge Academy student’s memory.

The teenager, who was riding a motorcycle, was in a collision with a car near Watlington Waterworks at about 6.30pm last Thursday.

It marked the island’s fifth road fatality of this year.

Ms de Frias cited past crashes on the road, including the death of 19-year-old Jahmeiko Perkins on August 6, 2011, close to where her nephew was killed, as well as a collision in May 2023 in which a female rider on Palmetto Road sustained head and facial injuries when a car turned on to Parsons Lane.

In 2006, 18-year-old Ryan Burgess and 24-year-old Akil Williams died in motorcycle crashes at the same spot.

Ms de Frias told The Royal Gazette that the danger on the road had been graphically underscored when she paid a visit to the scene on Monday.

“We need to bring this to light,” she said. “Within five, six minutes I saw people speeding up and down there.”

Her campaign also cited a 2019 letter in the Gazette by H. Gordy Gibbons, a frequent commentator on the hazards of the island’s roads.

The Letter to the Editor noted that the stretch from Orange Valley Road to Palmetto Road was particularly busy with commuters, but came with an unforgiving “tight squeeze”.

He added: “Anything that provides extra safety to our motoring public is worth doing, especially for our tourists.”

Mr Gibbons noted efforts by the Government to clear undergrowth from the verges but suggested examining ways to widen the road.

However, Ms de Frias said widening the road as a traffic-calming measure would prove insufficient.

“They should just make it one-way. I drive in from Hamilton Parish and with speed bumps; the bikes just fly over them. They are not effective at all.”

In her petition, she wrote: “Josh was a bright, kind and spirited young man whose life was tragically cut short.

“His loss has left an unfillable void in the hearts of our family, friends and community. We owe it to Josh, Jahmeiko and everyone who travels this road to take meaningful action.

“By making Parsons Lane a one-way street, we can honour their memories with a lasting change that prioritises safety and saves lives.”

Ms de Frias told the Gazette that the aftermath of the teenager’s death had shown Josh’s family how much he had meant in his Smith’s community.

“He has, in his short life, affected not only his family and his friends, but his neighbourhood,” she said.

“I didn’t realise how many people in the neighbourhood had their lives touched by Josh.

“He was very kind, very open to people. He was a bright light in our lives. He had his whole life ahead of him.”

She added that, as of 4.30pm yesterday, her campaign had gathered almost 200 signatures.

Ms de Frias said: “I have no limit. I just want to get it out there so we can get something done about it.”

• To see or sign the petition, visitchange.org/p/make-parsons-lane-one-way