CLEVELAND — Cleveland homeowners living near the intersection of Clifton and West boulevards are searching for a hit-and-run driver, and are hoping the city will take additional safety measures at that busy intersection.
Residents in the neighborhood, like Jeon Francis, told News 5 they are tired of dealing with repeated accidents and injuries that have been generated at the heavily traveled intersection.
Francis pointed to the Oct. 19 hit-and-run accident, that left 46-year-old Bryan Bostic with multiple injuries, as yet another example of the growing danger.
"Numerous accidents, shootouts, two pedestrians struck and injured this past year, we have to take action," Francis said.
"Let's take action before there's a bigger problem and then someone is killed and the city has a major lawsuit on their hands."
Francis and other residents have put up posters in the neighborhood, outlining Bostic's injuries and a description of the vehicle in search for leads.
Francis said the neighborhood has been working with Councilwoman Dona Brady, who entered a request to have a security camera put up in that neighborhood, but so far, they haven't been given any idea on when that will happen.
Neighbor Cathryn Siegal-Bergman said too many people are running the red lights at the intersection on a daily basis and it's jeopardizing the safety of walkers, joggers, cyclists, children and residents walking their dogs.
"I would like a camera at the top of the lights so that the community has some way to hold somebody accountable when they do run a light and hit somebody," Siegal-Bergman said.
News 5 made multiple attempts to reach the city traffic commissioner and city safety director to get a status report on the intersection, but we're still waiting for a statement.
The city did provide News 5 with police records which indicated the intersection generated more than 120 calls for service and around 20 accidents in the past three years.
Meanwhile, homeowners like Chris Schlenkerman, who drove Bostic to the hospital, told News 5 he's witnessed too many accidents in front of his home.
"I've seen so many at this corner here, it freaks me out anytime I hear a big bang or thump, or a screeching wheel, and to have this happen was basically surreal," Schlenkerman said.
Witnesses described the hit-and-run vehicle as a dark colored SUV, perhaps a Chevrolet Blazer.
Anyone with information should contact Cleveland first district police at 216-623-5100, or email information to october19hitandrun@gmail.com.
The neighborhood is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
