Punta Gorda Drivers Stay Alert: Burnt Store Road Can Be Dangerous
Bryan Greenberg
Accident Lawyers
The intersection at Burnt Store Road and Notre Dame Boulevard has recently been the site of a tragic accident, highlighting the dangers associated with this particular intersection. On Friday July 19th 2024, a fatal collision occurred here, resulting in the death of a 70-year-old man from Punta Gorda and a 41-year-old man from Saint Petersburg being seriously injured. This accident underscores just how dangerous even more rural roads can be especially when higher speeds are involved.For those who have to commute from Punta Gorda to Ft Myers, Cape Coral, or points south, Burnt Store Road is a major thoroughfare, accommodating a significant amount of traffic daily. For some, the intersection with Notre Dame Boulevard is an important intersection for commuters and local traffic as a connecting road bringing traffic back and forth from Burnt Store to US 41. Notre Dame Boulevard offers residents a convenient short-cut and as a result increases the potential for accidents along either route. The intersection's design includes multiple lanes for northbound and southbound traffic, along with dedicated turn lanes, however it also allows for drivers to turn left and cut across the lanes of travel increasing the potential for serious car crashes. Connecting two roads with high-speed through traffic, the combination of fast-moving traffic at an intersection in a residential area can easily lead to confusion and misjudgments, particularly for drivers attempting to navigate the left turn lane from Notre Dame Boulevard onto Burnt Store Road or vise-versa.
Because this intersection allows for both residential and through traffic to be able to turn left across the higher-speed Burnt Store Road, it's exactly the type of intersection drivers need to pay extra attention when approaching.
Making This Intersection Safer
To help prevent further tragedies at this intersection, several measures could help. Improved signage to alert drivers to the intersection ahead and the potential for cross traffic could reduce the risk of accidents. Installing new traffic signals could regulate the flow of traffic more effectively and provide clear guidance for drivers making turns. Increased enforcement of speed limits on Burnt Store Road could deter speeding and reduce the likelihood of high-speed collisions. A thorough review of the intersection's design could identify modifications that enhance safety, such as better lane markings, improved lighting, and adjustments to the road alignment.
The team at All Injuries Law Firm has called Charlotte County home for over two decades, and we are committed to advocating for the safety of Charlotte County and southwest Florida residents. If you or a loved one has been affected by an accident at this or any other dangerous intersection, please contact us for a free attorney consultation. Your legal rights and your safety is our priority.
Punta Gorda Man Killed In Auto Accident at Burnt Store Road and Notre Dame Boulevard in Charlotte County
Charlotte County, FL — Florida highway Patrol has reported that a fatal accident has occurred on July 19, 2024, at approximately 1:38 PM, at the intersection of Burnt Store Road and Notre Dame Boulevard. The accident involved two vehicles and resulted in one fatality and one person seriously injured.
The accident began as a sedan driven by a 41-year-old man from Saint Petersburg, FL, was traveling north on Burnt Store Road in the right lane, approaching the intersection of Notre Dame Boulevard. At the same time, another sedan, driven by a 70-year-old man from Punta Gorda, FL, was traveling south on Burnt Store Road in the left turn lane, intending to turn east onto Notre Dame Boulevard.
According to FHP, at 1:38 PM the second sedan attempted to turn left and entered the path of the oncoming car. As a result the front of the first sedan collided with the front right of the second sedan as the second sedan entered the intersection. The force of the impact caused first sedan to be redirected into a ditch, where it overturned. Following the collision, the second sedan rotated, and the driver was ejected from the vehicle fatally injuring him. First responders pronounced the 70-year-old driver of the second sedan was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash.
The 41-year-old man from Saint Petersburg, FL who was driving the first sedan was seriously injured and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
FHP has stated that the crash remains under investigation.