BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/FOX58) -- Wednesday marked one week since 13-year-old Jeremiah Villalobos was struck and killed by a car while riding his bike near the intersection of Columbus and Loyola Streets.

The intersection has a history of fatal accidents, prompting Jeremiah's family to attend the Bakersfield City Council meeting on Wednesday to plead for road safety improvements to prevent future tragedies.

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The area falls under Ward 3, represented by Council Member Ken Weir.

During the meeting, Weir directed city staff to draft a plan aimed at enhancing safety measures in the area.

After the meeting, Jeremiah's family shared memories of the boy they lost, holding photos of him close as they spoke about his vibrant personality and aspirations.

His great-grandmother described Jeremiah as a dreamer who loved reading, experimenting in the kitchen, practicing boxing, and was a proud participant in the Junior Police Academy, hoping one day to become a police officer.

Angelica Rodriguez, Jeremiah's aunt who works as a first responder, said, "He did the Junior Police Academy with me this summer, he was a great kid, he had a lot of heart, truly was gonna be an astonishing grown man and we were looking forward to seeing what he was gonna do as an adult. So, it definitely breaks our heart to not be able to see what he's gonna do in the future."

One of Jeremiah's friends, Isaiah Cejar, also addressed council members with a heartfelt plea for change. "We were in the gate program together, and he was an amazing kid, he had so much ahead of him, and that was taken from him and his family from a car and the lack of safety measures," Cejar said.

Cejar went on to request specific changes, saying, "I'm just asking for some safety measures in that area, a high visibility crosswalk, speed bumps, or any lights."

Jeremiah's death has deeply impacted his school community.

Cejar described the heartbreak of returning to class without his friend. "Everybody at my school the day after he died, it was so different, there were so many people crying, there were so many people that cared about him that were impacted, and my friends and I are getting therapy for this tragic event that has happened," Cejar said.

Jeremiah Villalobos was more than a victim of unsafe streets -- he was a beloved son.

"He was a great kid, he was an amazing child, he was a child of God. I remember when we used to pick him up on Sundays and he used to always love to go to church," said Jeremiah's father, Andy Villalobos. "He loved his mother, he loved his family, he loved his brothers and sisters, and most of all he loved Jesus so we want to keep him alive by Jesus Christ."