Iryna's Legacy Drives Safety Change | Charlotte News

Charlotte News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 20, 2026 · 1m

One year after Iryna Zarutska’s tragic death, her mother Lauren Newton is calling for urgent safety reforms—specifically, a physical barrier on the light rail—to prevent unauthorized riders like the one who took Iryna’s life. Newton vividly recalls Iryna’s vibrant life: pet-sitting, biking with her mom, working at a pizzeria, and studying English while holding a degree in art preservation from Ukraine. She insists Iryna’s legacy should live in meaningful art, not just murals. With a lawsuit firmly in the works, Newton is determined to seek justice not only for her daughter but for all women…