7 Dead, 27 Injured, Community Demands Answers

BROOKSVILLE – One of the deadliest intersections in Hernando County will not see changes for at least another 3 to 5 year, says newly elected Hernando County Commissioner Steve Champion.

The intersection of US-98 (Ponce De Leon Blvd) and Citrus Way is to blame for two fiery crashes that claimed the lives of a young couple and five Polk County electricians in less than two years.

The first crash occurred on July 27^th, 2015 when a pickup truck carrying the five electricians was struck broadside by a box truck, causing the pickup to burst into flames. The driver and passenger of the box truck survived the crash but all five occupants of the pickup burned alive before firefighters arrived on the scene (click here for original report).

The second crash occurred nearly one year to the day, on July 22^nd, 2016, When Lecanto newlyweds John Stevenson, 25, and Donna Adams, 24, both perished in a fiery crash, after their pickup truck was struck by a Garbage truck at the same intersection (Click here for original report).

Deschamps Corner General Store owner, Donna Dilling says “How many more people have to die before they install a four-way stop light?” Dilling says she’s witnessed dozens of crashes at the intersection and that people are so scared to cross US-98 that they cut through her parking lot to avoid a possible collision.

US-98 is a truck route with vehicles traveling in excess of 60 MPH. Vehicles crossing US-98 have a hard time seeing traffic traveling from either direction due to visual obstructions. The combination of fast moving trucks and smaller vehicles crossing the intersection is a deadly mixture. At this time there is only a flashing yellow signal in the east and west lanes of travel and flashing red in the north and south lanes.

After the election RNRF contacted Commissioner Steve Champion and asked if the issue would be a priority for a quick resolution. Champion said that he had already planned to address the problem in the first few weeks on the job but despite his efforts, Champion discovered that plans to improve the intersection could take up to five years, according to Assistant County Administrator, Brian Malmberg.

We contacted FDOT Program Engineer, Peter Hsu, who directed us to speak to FDOT Spokesperson Kris Carson. We received an email from Carson this afternoon stating that she would provide some crash information. We hope to speak to her again soon regarding a project completion time schedule.

Malmberg told Champion in an email that he believes the FDOT is working on plans to develop a roundabout for the intersection, rather than a simple four-way traffic signal, and that his best guess for completion is 3 to 5 years.

Champion reacted to the news by stating, I’m very concerned about the loss of life at the intersection of US-98 and Citrus Way. Residents and business owners have complained over the past several years about how dangerous this intersection is…”

Store owner Donna Dilling says “It will be blood on their (FDOT) hands if more people die before the problem is corrected.” She goes on to say “What are they going to do when a bus load of 30 or 40 students die in a similar crash?”

Dilling created a petition and has already received nearly 15,000 signatures from residents who are demanding immediate changes to the intersection. Follow this link to view the petition: How many more innocent lives will be lost before a traffic light is installed?

According to State Officials, since 2011 there have been a total of 32 crashes at the intersection. Although it doesn’t top the list of most accidents, it is certainly one of the most deadly.

RNRF will continue to follow new developments.

UPDATE: 1/7/2017, 12:39 P.M. - FDOT Spokesperson Kris Carson provided the following information regarding proposed work on the US-98/Citrus Way intersection:

FDOT has been monitoring crashes and has conducted studies at the intersection of US 98 and Citrus Way in the past couple years.

·        District 7 Traffic Operations conducted a signal warrants study, August of 2015 and the signal is not warranted.

·        District 7 Traffic Operations conducted a FDOT Roundabout Traffic Analysis, January of 2016.  The report indicated a Roundabout should be considered.

·        District 7 Traffic Operations supplied overhead LED signal heads and back plates for Hernando County Public Works.  Hernando County Public Works installed the signal devices and back plates at existing 24/7 flashing beacons at US 98 and Citrus Way during late summer of 2016.

In addition, the County with the help of the FDOT, were able to make a few improvements to the intersection after the fatal crash in 2015.

The improvements consisted of:

1.      Changing the pavement marking at the intersection to improve sight distance by changing the angle of the stop bar on Citrus way from 52 degrees to 80 degrees.

2.      Adding rumble to the north and south leg of the intersection (on Citrus Way).

3.      Adding “Stop Ahead” pavement marking ahead of the intersection.

4.      Installing newer, brighter and bigger (48 x48) stop signs with red bright sticks.

FDOT is in the process of planning some public meetings within a few months to get community feedback on the roundabout concept.

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