MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Dan Powers is starting 2019 with a familiar fight.
“We need a stoplight here on SR-64,” said Powers.
His son Matt and his friend Chase Coyner were killed while turning onto SR-64 near Pope Road. Neighbors said there have been at least twelve crashes at the intersection in 2018.
“We have a public safety issue out here,” said Powers.
FDOT responded to safety concerns after Matt’s crash by closing the left turn lane onto SR-64. The agency has long-term plans to install a roundabout at the intersection, but that isn’t slated to happen for years.
"I just want to make sure nobody has to go through what we’ve went through, nobody deserves to go through this,” said powers.
FDOT's partial statement reads: "FDOT is currently evaluating the intersection for a potential longer-term interim improvement until the roundabout is constructed at the intersection.”
Neighbors plan to petition FDOT for quicker safety measures on SR-64.
