MIDDLEBORO — A traffic light and updated crosswalk should be immediately installed at the intersection where 15-year-old Middleboro High School student Dylan Levesque was fatally struck by a vehicle Sunday, May 14, Town Manager James McGrail wrote in a letter to state legislators and transportation officials Thursday, May 18.

McGrail wrote of the town’s collective grief over the 15-year-old’s loss and determination to avoid a future tragedy at the intersection of Hannaford plaza and Route 28.

“While Middleboro may be large in land area, we are a very small, close-knit community. When one family heartbreakingly loses a child, we all share in that pain,’’ he wrote.

McGrail said that the town “has brought this dangerous stretch of road to the Commonwealth's attention on several occasions. There must be a renewed effort on the part of MassDOT and our elected state officials to signalize this intersection. ‘’

“Sadly,’’ he wrote, “we cannot undo what has been done but there are steps we can take to make sure another child isn’t taken from their family, friends and community in a similar manner.’’

Dylan was walking home from the Hannaford intersection toward the sidewalk at the rear driveway entrance to the Goode and Burkland elementary schools Sunday, May 14, which was also Mother’s Day, when he was struck by a vehicle at about 7:23 p.m., McGrail wrote.

He received a traumatic brain injury and was flown by medical helicopter to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Rhode Island, where he remained on life support for two days, McGrail wrote. 

On Tuesday, his family “made the unimaginable decision to say a final goodbye to their child, grandchild and brother,’’ McGrail wrote. 

At the May 15 select board meeting, McGrail said that Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development, the regional planning agency, had already been working with the town to identify dangerous intersections in town. 

“We discussed this very same intersection’’ at a meeting with them, he wrote.

He said he is making the request “on behalf of all residents, parents and children within the Town of Middleboro.’’

The letter was sent to Mary-Joe Perry, District Highway Director for Massachusetts Department of Transportation District 5 in Taunton; Alan Andrade, Deputy District Highway Director for Massachusetts Department of Transportation District 5 in Taunton; State Sen. Marc Pacheco; State Rep. Kathleen LaNatra; State Rep. Norman Orrall and State Rep. Susan Gifford.