COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) says there have been more than 1,000 crashes along State Route 30 over the past decade. To that concern, College Station business owners say they’re worried about everything on that thoroughfare.
Michael Heinz said he took action after witnessing a car accident Tuesday morning on Highway 30, just outside his workplace, Texas Landscape Creations.
“I stayed there with her. I reached inside the car on the ladder and held her hand. I didn’t want to move her until the paramedics arrived. ” said Heinz. “All I know is that one of these days, if we run up there, someone is going to die.”
The intersection of Highway 30 and Bird Pond Road is a hotspot for crashes, according to TxDOT. In this particular area, the department has reported 13 crashes in the past 10 years. One of them was deadly.
Jeff David, owner of Texas Landscape Creations, said he has witnessed several of these incidents and has contacted TxDOT multiple times with concerns, but nothing has changed.
“Countless, countless close calls. It’s not unusual for us to be here and hear horns blaring up ahead. We’re all praying that we don’t hear any crashes after that.” David said.
David told KTBX that the response he received from TxDOT following his safety concerns has resulted in a loss of safety for him and the residents of Bryan-College Station.
“Thank you for the information. We will consider it,” David relayed. “That was a year and a half ago.”
Local police told KBTX that the main cause of crashes in the area is failure to regulate speed, which is not the same as speeding.
“The speed limit might be 30 miles per hour. You’re going 30 miles per hour and the car in front of you slows down and you don’t. You’re speeding. However, speed was a contributing factor to the accident,” said Officer Seth Waller of the Bryan Police Department.
Ultimately, David and Heinz want a safer path.
“We’re trying to make sure someone doesn’t die or multiple people die in front of our office,” David added.
TxDOT declined KBTX’s request for comment and interview.
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