“I was one of the first people there on scene after the accident actually happened, and attended to Kalen Kirk,” said Jon Odum.
The thought of that day has the father of two now fighting for change.
“Having two daughters that stand at that bus stop, having that same issue and that same concern of crossing the road to get to their bus is even more of a concern now,” said Odum.
More than 60 concerned neighbors like Odum came to First Baptist Church Thursday night to find out what the County was going to do to make Clubhouse Road safer.
Three people have been killed along the narrow road, where sidewalks are spotty, and lack of lighting is plentiful. Officials say the common factor in all three deadly crashes on Clubhouse was darkness.
“I can only imagine what these parents have gone through losing their child,” said Heather Russo fighting back tears.
Russo fears without quick action more innocent lives could be lost. Two of the three people who have been killed along the stretch were walking in area’s without sidewalks when they were hit.
“It’s very important to me as a parent and a citizen that I express my concern,” said Russo.
Officials laid out plans to decrease the speed limits through the corridor as well as add sidewalks and additional signage. As for lighting, that will have to come out of the local subdivision’s pockets.
“Those street lighting district areas add a few lights, they’re not inside your community, you actually put them outside out on the main drag,” said Polk County Roads and Drainage Director Jay Jarvis.
