BUFFALO, N.Y. — After two pedestrian accidents on Monday night, one of them being deadly, the Erie County Sheriff's Office is urging fans to use caution when heading to Highmark Stadium.
"Safety is obviously paramount to us at the stadium," said Erie Co. Sherriff's Office Sgt. Jeremy Lehning.
Lehning says there were a lot of contributing factors that led to the incidents Monday.
"Driver awareness, pedestrian awareness, intoxication, poor lighting, lack of sidewalk space, essentially, pedestrians just doing what they want," Lehning said. "They're not following directions."
Stadium construction has pushed fans further away from Highmark to find parking, and the Sheriff's Office believes fans aren't being safe.
"It literally comes down to you need to be more aware, as a pedestrian, as an operator for the vehicle," Lehning said.
"Don't be constantly crossing back and forth on the streets because the more times you do it, the more likely you are to be struck by a vehicle that just doesn't see you," Lehning said.
The Sheriff's Office is suggesting fans wear reflective clothing to the game, mainly because all but one home game for the remainder of the season are happening at night.
The Erie County Sheriff's Office doesn't feel there is much more they can do to improve safety near the stadium, they are relying on the public to make sure they're being safe.
"Use the crosswalks at your major, major intersections where everything is lit," Lehning said.
The Erie County Dept. of Public Works assists ECSO with traffic control and lighting equipment for events at Highmark Stadium, but a spokesperson for the county said there isn't any significant equipment that could be added on gameday to further improve safety.
While the Erie County Sheriff's Office did not rule out expanding road closures on gameday while the new stadium is being constructed, no decision has been made as of yet.
An expansion of street lights, crosswalks and sidewalks in the neighborhoods near the stadium however, will be discussed amongst county departments, according to ECSO.
"Those will definitely the discussions that will be had, especially the closer you get to the opening of the new stadium," Lehning said.