Improvements coming to busy Ames crosswalk after fatal accident

The City of Ames is making improvements to a busy crosswalk after a crash earlier this year killed an elderly woman. Around 8 p.m. on Feb. 18, at the intersection of Lincoln Way and South Russell Ave., Steven Salazar, 31, was allegedly riding a motorcycle westbound on Lincoln Way when he struck Margaret Suzanne Olson, 80, as she crossed. Olson was flown to Mercy Hospital by Life Flight with life-threatening injuries and died a few days later. Neighbors later told the Ames City Council they wanted better lighting and other changes near the crossing. On June 23, the council approved installing a dynamic speed feedback sign and increasing speed-limit enforcement in the Lincoln Way and Russell Ave. area. The city will also prioritize the location in its Walk Bike Roll plan.