Residents near the intersection of Hawthorne Road and Ebert Street in Winston-Salem are urging city officials to install a traffic signal after a vehicle crashed into a front yard Sunday night, an episode neighbors say again highlighted a long-running safety problem.
Community concern after another crash
Homeowners described a loud impact that brought renewed attention to a bend in Hawthorne Road where drivers accelerate too quickly, they say. One neighbor, Ty Rice, said the crash sounded like "a big thunderclap," and that seeing a vehicle in a front yard made the risks real for families with children and pets.
"It sounded like a big thunderclap. Boom," said Ty Rice.
Ed Simpson, another Hawthorne Road resident, pointed to visible signs of prior collisions near the same curve, including recently replaced utility poles. Neighbors say repeated crashes — not just the most recent one — are why they want traffic controls.
Petition and proposed remedy
Residents began a petition seeking a stoplight at the intersection; organizers report the effort has collected 75 signatures so far. Supporters argue that a signal would slow vehicles, regulate turning traffic and provide safer crossing opportunities for pedestrians.
- Location: Hawthorne Road at Ebert Street, Winston-Salem
- Current community action: petition with 75 signatures
- Requested remedy: installation of a traffic signal
What city officials say
News Block reached out to the City of Winston-Salem for comment and to learn whether any traffic studies or changes are planned for the site. City officials had not responded by publication time.
| Issue | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reported incidents | Multiple crashes at the curve, including recent property damage |
| Community action | Petition (75 signatures) |
| Requested solution | Traffic signal installation |
The request raises broader questions for Forsyth County traffic planning and for Winston-Salem's approach to safety on residential roads that feature curves and limited sightlines. Installing a signal typically follows engineering studies, traffic counts and safety reviews; residents are seeking swift attention because they say crashes have become routine.
For neighbors, the concern is immediate: property damage and the potential for injury. Officials will need to weigh the petition and any subsequent data against traffic-engineering standards before moving forward.
