LEE COUNTY, Fla. - The push for a traffic light at an Estero intersection is gathering support after a 17-year-old was hit and killed last week.

Community leaders from across Lee County are joining the fight to make the crossing of U.S. 41 and Sweetwater Ranch Boulevard safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers.

Friday, the Estero Council of Community Leaders approved a resolution requesting a fully-functioning traffic signal and reduced speed limit at the intersection where Estero teenager Danielle Chapman was struck by a van while crossing the street last Wednesday.

Dick Schweers, a member of the council, says the resolution will be sent to the Governor and state lawmakers, but so far, the cause has grabbed the attention of Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah and State Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto.

"I think now with the recent tragedy, it's kind of woken up a sleeping giant," Schweers says. "People are really going to rise to the occasion on this."

Daniel Chapman, Danielle's father, is in full support of upgrading the current traffic control, which is a set of flashing yellow lights, to a full traffic signal.

"We're losing lives. We're losing family, friends, loved ones, somebody that could really make a huge contribution to our society," Chapman says.

The Florida Department of Transportation plans to study the intersection next year to see if it meets federal standards for a traffic light.

DOT Spokesperson Debbie Tower tells WINK News the crossing was surveyed in February of 2008 and 2011. Both times, traffic numbers on Sweetwater Ranch Boulevard have not met requirements.

Tower says last year's survey found 10-20 vehicles per hour turned left off Sweetwater or drove across the intersection. At a minimum, those numbers should be 50-55, Tower says.