Original article is payawalled: https://www.pennlive.com/news/2026/08/her-death-was-preventable-husband-urges-harrisburg-city-council-to-act-after-wifes-crosswalk-death.html
So if someone has a better non-paywall link, let me know and I can update.
Article:
‘Her death was preventable,’ Husband urges Harrisburg city council to act after wife’s crosswalk death
Neighbors filled Harrisburg’s city council chamber Tuesday evening as the husband of a woman killed while walking near Front Street joined residents in voicing safety concerns and urged officials to turn her death into meaningful change.
Holly Engelman was struck and killed Aug. 8 as she tried to cross the busy four-lane intersection at Vaughn and Front streets, just a minute from her house.
“Holly is not just a name in the news,” said Andrew Steinberg, of his wife. “She was real. She loved, she was loved and she is still loved.”
The marked pedestrian crossing came with multiple signs for drivers: Flashing yellow lights above it and a sign telling drivers to watch for people. While one car stopped, the driver in the next lane crashed into Engelman.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Steinberg and several other residents pressed city council members for action.
“Holly should have been able to cross Front Street safely,” Steinberg said. “Her death was preventable. We cannot change what happened to Holly, but we can change what happens next.”
“A beautiful life has now been extinguished,” he added. “Front Street must be a priority.”
Steinberg pointed to a model used in neighboring communities: reducing Front Street from four lanes to three, leaving one lane in each direction and a center turn lane.
“This is not theoretical,” Steinberg said. “Just north of Linglestown Road, Susquehanna Township has already converted part of Front Street from four lanes to three.”
Steinberg then told city council members that Richard Norford, a Susquehanna Township commissioner, is “eager to work with someone in Harrisburg City government” to improve safety along Front Street.
“Every one of you joined city council because you wanted to make Harrisburg a better place,” Steinberg told the council members. “I’m asking you to help make it a safer place.”
Several other Harrisburg residents, many of whom knew Engelman, spoke after Steinberg.
One woman, who said she has lived in Harrisburg her entire life, said Engelman, who was 55, was a beacon of positivity in the community.
“A most righteous, brilliant, caring woman who made a difference in the lives of so many of us,” the woman said. “Holly believed in serving our community, and was dedicated to helping it reach its highest potential.”
“This tragedy puts all of us on notice,” she said. “This is a dangerous condition on our streets. A condition that can be remedied.”
Another woman, who has lived near Front and Vaughn streets for more than 40 years, said she quickly became friends with Engelman.
“I immediately loved her,” the woman said. “It’s sad to say the place of peace for Holly Engelman robbed her of her life and her love. And if we fail to address the weaknesses of the crosswalk where she died, we are all guilty for failing to protect beloved family members as yet unknown to us.”
Another speaker, who said she first met Engelman through work, agreed with Steinberg that his wife’s death was avoidable.
“Holly’s death was completely preventable. That is painful to say, but it is important to say,” she said. “She believed in this city, she invested herself in this city. She should have been able to walk through it safely.”
Other community members said they too have nearly been struck while crossing at the intersection.
“I was almost run down at that same intersection under the same conditions,” one woman said before offering condolences to Steinberg.
Another man said he used to ride his bike in the area until he was almost hit by a car.
“I don’t know what the answer is,” he said. “But I can tell you that from my perspective, as a bicyclist and a pedestrian, the flashing yellow light makes things worse. If it’s not there, you know for sure the drivers are not going to stop. So you wait.”
Many of the speakers Tuesday also shared concerns about drivers maintaining highway speeds after merging onto Front Street from Interstate 81.
Steinberg and Engelman married about eight months ago after meeting through a Jewish matchmaking website. Many in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting wore green in Engelman’s honor.
Steinberg told PennLive he cherished every moment he spent with his wife.
“I don’t understand how someone with such a beautiful soul can be taken so young. But I do know how grateful I am,” Steinberg said. “I’m grateful that we found each other and grateful that I got to make her laugh, that she made me laugh.”
Council President Danielle Hill extended condolences to Steinberg after he spoke, but council members did not offer specific any commitment to addressing Front Street safety issues.
Hill also said she did not want to seem dismissive and invited residents to stay after the meeting and speak with council members.
Donations in Engelman’s memory can be made to The Silver Academy, PO Box 60097, PA 17106, or online.
Staff writers Tirzah Christopher and DaniRae Renno both contributed to this report.
