The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) announced it will conduct a safety review of the Optimist Farm Road corridor in Wake County after a tragic collision on Saturday morning that claimed the life of 63‑year‑old cyclist Patrick Turner of Cary and injured 20 other riders from the Capital Cycling Club.
Local officials demand action
Holly Springs town council members raised the issue this week, citing the road’s sharp S‑curve near Talicud Trail as a known hazard. Mayor Pro Tem Annie Drees told council members, “I know that there’s some suspected impairment in this case, but it is a dangerous drive,” and called the crash “a call for organization and action.” Mayor Mike Kondratick added that the town’s first step is to coordinate with state legislators, the county, the school board and neighboring municipalities to send a formal letter to NCDOT requesting a thorough safety evaluation.
Details of the crash
State Highway Patrol reports indicate the crash occurred around 9:30 a.m. when a passenger vehicle crossed the center line and struck a group of cyclists traveling eastbound. The driver fled the scene, later running off the road and into a ditch about a half‑mile away. The suspected driver, Donald Morris‑Jones, was arrested and faces several charges, including driving while impaired. He made his first court appearance this week.
NCDOT’s review process
NCDOT officials said the agency will begin its review once the full police report is received, a step that has not yet occurred. Historically, the department conducts safety reviews after fatal crashes to assess roadway design, signage, and traffic‑control measures. After a 2023 review of Optimist Farm Road, chevrons, speed advisories and curve‑warning signs were installed on several curves west of the crash site, but not at the specific location of the recent incident.
Community concerns and suggested improvements
Residents near the crash site have expressed frustration with what they describe as “dangerous driving” on the stretch of road. “If you can do something to the road, that’s great,” said local resident Dan Smith. “I’m not sure what you can do, but I think there needs to be a lot more control over some of the people who use that road, kind of like a mini racecourse.” Council member Drees noted that many drivers “go over the line,” and suggested that an indicator warning of oncoming traffic could encourage both sides to slow down.
Next steps
The town’s council will continue to monitor NCDOT’s response and will push for any recommended engineering changes, such as additional signage, pavement markings, or physical barriers, that could reduce the likelihood of future collisions. The review is expected to consider traffic volume data, crash history and the effectiveness of the 2023 safety enhancements.
As the investigation proceeds, local cyclists and community members hope the combined effort of town officials, state legislators and NCDOT will result in concrete actions that protect road users while preserving the essential connectivity that Optimist Farm Road provides to residents of Holly Springs and the surrounding Wake County area.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
