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Man hit, killed while trying to cross busy street in Apopka, police say

APOPKA, Fla. — Apopka police said a man was hit and killed while trying to cross North Park Avenue.

According to police, two cars hit and killed Deflino Vasquez-Feria on Tuesday night as he was trying to cross the street.

Investigators said the man dropped off laundry at a laundromat and tried to cross the street to walk home, but was hit and killed.

"I was the last person that spoke to him. He just walked out and got killed," said Juan Sandoval.

Sandoval owns the laundromat where Vasquez-Feria, a regular, dropped off a bag of clothes around 7:40 p.m.

Police said Vasquez-Feria was hit just a few minutes later when he stopped halfway in the turn lane on North Park Avenue. Investigators said the car knocked him into the northbound lanes and he was hit again.

"I think they need lights or something because it's very dark at night," Sandoval said.

In addition to needing more streetlights, Frances Owens, a neighbor wants to see the city add a traffic light.

"I've lived here about 18 years, and there's been a lot of accidents at this corner," Owens said.

Another woman who lives nearby said she refuses to walk in the area because she doesn't feel safe. She hopes the man's death will motivate city leaders to make some changes.

"A lot of people, they speed. So, even if you try to cross, they don't let you," said Alexzyia Rosado, a neighbor.

The city is working with Duke Energy to add streetlights on Park Avenue. It also plans to add a traffic light at the intersection of Sandpiper Road and Park Avenue by 2021.

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