Neighbors call for pedestrian and driver safety after fatal incident in South Bend

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ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. –A deadly crash near Ironwood and Bulla is sparking calls for pedestrian and driver safety.

This comes after a fatal incident involving three Notre Dame students getting hit by a car near Douglas and State Road 23 Saturday morning. Residents in the neighborhood said they want to see infrastructure changes to increase pedestrian safety, so incidents like the deadly crash Saturday don’t happen again.

A sidewalk installed, at least on the west side of this street, because there are a lot of students especially walking to Martins, walking from their apartments, their condos. It’s really busy during game day,” resident Renee Crabtree said.

Crabtree has been living on Ironwood road for 20 years, she said speeding cars have always been a problem in the area. The speed limit is currently 30 miles an hour, but residents have said cars are constantly flying by at least 50 miles an hour, and with the intersection being close to the Notre Dame campus, it’s become a common intersection for students to walk.

Crabtree said she’s seen cars racing down Ironwood, making it difficult to even get out of their own driveway. Another neighbor said the roads are pitch black and some lighting could possibly make a difference.

“Cars are flying up and down here, they’re not always paying attention, so when you add darkness and late-night driving whatever that might entail it's probably not going to be surprised when something tragic happens,” JW Maierle said.





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