Man’s Home Keeps Being Hit by Cars on His Suburban Street, So He Built a $30,000 Cement Barrier

Residents in a Denver suburb are voicing their concerns as multiple cars have crashed into homes on their street over the past year. The focus is on Peoria Street in Aurora, where at least five such incidents have occurred, leaving locals feeling uneasy after each collision. One homeowner, Daniel Gelamichael, shared his distress after his property was hit by vehicles on three separate occasions. Gelamichael expressed his anxiety, stating, “I can’t even sleep, you know? You don’t know what’s going to happen.”

The situation escalated in May when a stolen car smashed into Gelamichael’s garage, marking the second time his property fell victim to a fast-moving vehicle. In response to the recurring crashes, Gelamichael took matters into his own hands and built a $30,000 concrete barrier around his home for protection. Despite the substantial cost, Gelamichael felt it was necessary for his safety and peace of mind. The barrier proved its worth in September when it successfully halted another speeding vehicle from causing harm.

However, the danger persisted in the neighbourhood as another house nearby was hit in October, followed by a further incident on Peoria Street just last week. In the most recent collision, a vehicle travelling north on Peoria Street lost control and struck a house on East Virginia Place. The driver, identified as 25-year-old Tajhae Darden, fled the scene but was swiftly apprehended by a police officer. Darden sustained minor injuries and faced charges for the accident.

Following these alarming events, other residents like Antonio Ortiz are taking precautionary measures to safeguard their homes and families. Ortiz, who had experienced a similar incident in the past, shared his concerns about the potential for a car to crash through a bedroom wall while they sleep. As a proactive step, the Ortiz family, like Gelamichael, opted to install concrete fortifications around their property in the hope of preventing future accidents.

In response to the escalating situation, there have been calls for increased police patrols, speed bumps, and more stringent traffic controls in the area to curb reckless driving. The city of Aurora has acknowledged the recent crashes on Peoria Street and assured residents of ongoing efforts to assess the situation. While traffic-calming measures are not typically implemented on major arterials like Peoria Street, the city is reviewing the corridor for safety concerns and considering necessary improvements.

With mounting tension and fears among residents, the community is eagerly awaiting concrete actions to address the recurring crashes and ensure their neighbourhood’s safety. As investigations continue into the recent incidents, the city of Aurora remains committed to evaluating the data and implementing any essential engineering or safety measures. The priority is to create a secure environment where residents can feel protected in their own homes amidst the growing concerns over road safety in the area.