While passing 10th Street on North Shepherd Drive, motorists will be greeted by the face of a woman painted on a utility box. When facing south, they’ll see the image of a woman pushing a man in a wheelchair. On the sides are angel wings.
“This is a tribute to the two pedestrians who were killed on March 30, Jesse Perez and Lesha Adams,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said.
Adams and Perez were struck by a car while Adams was trying to help Perez, who was wheelchair-bound, cross Shepherd at 10th Street. At that time, there was no light or crosswalk at the intersection.
In June, the city unveiled a hybrid pedestrian beacon to allow walkers and wheelchair users to push a button connected to the east side of Shepherd that would turn the light red and prompt drivers to stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the street.
The mural was painted by Jessica Padilla, who also painted the mini mural of Nobel Peace prize recipient Malala Yousafzai at T.C. Jester Boulevard and Ella Boulevard, as well as the mini mural of the four women who have served on the United States Supreme Court at the end of Heights Boulevard, in front of Hamilton Middle School.
Surrounding the face of Adams and the image of Adams pushing Perez are multi-colored triangles that resembled stained glass.
“I chose to use bright happy colors because I didn’t want it to be a painful reminder for the family and friends,” Padilla said.
The mini mural of Adams and Perez was funded by the office of Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Cohen, the outgoing Houston City Council member for District C.