LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — For some people, August 14, 2024, is just another day of the year.
However, for one family that day brings along sadness as it's the second anniversary of when their loved one's life was tragically taken.
Just two years ago, 41-year-old Jamaal Lewis was walking across South University Avenue when he was struck by a car and killed. The incident happened in an area where there are no sidewalks and little lighting.
Unfortunately, the car that hit Lewis that night left before the police were at the scene.
"It's been really hard. They say it gets better with time, but I don't know who came up with that, because it seems like it gets worse with time," said Latifah Hughes, the sister of Jamaal Lewis.
Hughes is currently in the hospital trying to recover from chronic pain, however, she still wants this tragic anniversary to be remembered in hopes of finally getting answers.
In 2020, Little Rock saw the deadliest year for pedestrian accidents with 33 people killed, and the Little Rock Police Department explained how a significant portion of those accidents are in the southwest part of the city.
Now, the City of Little Rock is working to make that area safer.
They have applied for a $25 million grant called Safe Streets for All, and if the city gets the grant, they will be able to work on several different areas— including sidewalks and bike trails for University Avenue.
"It's giving people a way to walk and be safe, but with my brother's death it doesn't do anything for me," said Hughes.
She also explained how it feels it's too late now with her brother gone, but she hopes that one day she will be able to find closure by knowing who hit him.
"It's painful living with this every day. I just want whoever did it, if you know who did it, if you know any information about who did it, just come clean," Hughes added.
Anyone who may have information about the hit-and-run that killed Lewis is asked to contact the Little Rock Police Department at (501) 371-4829.