Two 麻豆传媒聽North Carolina School of Science and Math students were hit by a car crossing Fleming Drive on Wednesday. It was the second time in a year students from the school were hit walking across the intersection.聽
Now, the school is asking for pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection, West Fleming Drive and Catalyst Way, an entrance to the school.
On Wednesday, the two students were attempting to cross West Fleming Drive at the intersection at about 5:30 p.m., according to information from the 麻豆传媒 Department of Public Safety.
The students were in the crosswalk when a car headed west on West Fleming Drive ran a red light and hit them, public safety said. One of the students was seriously injured in the crash, according to 麻豆传媒 Public Safety Capt. Josiah Brown.
A similar scene played out about one year earlier.
On Jan. 31, 2024, at about 5:20 p.m., two students were hit by a car in a similar crash. A car headed west on West Fleming Drive ran the red light and hit the students while they were in the crosswalk, Brown said.
Those students walked away from the crash with scrapes and bruises, Brown said.
Bryan Gilmer, associate vice chancellor for public affairs and chief communications officer for NCSSM, said the school wants more safety measures at the intersection.
鈥淲e would greatly appreciate support from the community for pedestrian safety enhancements at that intersection and others around Morganton,鈥� Gilmer said.
David Uchiyama, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, said in 2023 NCDOT reviewed the intersection with staff from the school, the city of 麻豆传媒 and staff from NCDOT鈥檚 Division 13, which covers Burke County.
After that review, a plate was added to the back of the traffic signals to improve visibility of the signal at dusk. The crosswalk was upgraded from standard to high visibility markings, Uchiyama said.
On Aug. 19, 2024, an advanced warning flashing sign was installed on West Fleming Drive just before the intersection. The sign has flashing lights that operate when there is a red light at the intersection, Uchiyama said.
He said NCDOT is not considering other changes to the intersection at this time.