East Charlotte crash may illustrate larger safety issue

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - A Monday morning crash in East Charlotte has some people that live in that area warning of the dangers that stretch of road produces.

The crash happened on Eastway Drive near The Plaza and three people were injured.

But one mother who lives on the corner says crashes around that area are very common. Just last week, a truck crashed near Weldon Avenue and took out part of the bus stop.

“They ran into the bus stop, ran over the concrete barrier,” said Natalie Johnson who lives on the corner of Eastway Drive and Weldon Avenue.

Johnson and her family have lived on the corner for nearly 2 years and say they have witnessed nearly a dozen crashes in front of their home.

“I have seen about 10 accidents since I have been here for 2 years. I just want something to be done,” said Johnson. “I am tired of having to be the one that has to come outside of my house to comfort people.”

Johnson showed WBTV pictures that documented 6 different crashes and Facebook videos of her calling for something to be done.

“It is basically like playing chicken,” said Johnson.

Johnson says it is difficult to make left hand turns on and off Eastway Drive because of the congestion and lack of a signal light or median.

“It is usually the person that hits the person that was turning, and they can’t stop,” said Johnson.

Johnson has even asked that her kids be dropped off after school on the side street so that they are not near a potentially dangerous area.

“They get off on the side now instead of the front,”said Johnson. “I have a rule. They are not even allowed to come in the front, just because of the number of accidents.”

Eastway is a state owned road and WBTV has requested the crash data for the last two years from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. As of Monday afternoon, that request had not been received.

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