Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who was in a car crash at South Church and West Hill streets near Interstate 277 in December, said Wednesday the intersection is still unsafe. He called on the city to do more to prevent future wrecks.
The Charlotte Department of Transportation said that it made a number of improvements to the intersection after the wreck, and that there are now fewer accidents than before the Newton rollover crash.
The city said between 2010 and 2014 there were an average of 5.4 angle crashes a year at the intersection, including nine last year.
The city said there has been one angle crash there through the end of September.
After the wreck, the city installed a new oversized stop sign on West Hill Street as well as a second sign to alert motorists that a stop sign is near. The stop sign also has reflective striping to increase visibility at night and in fog.
CDOT also said it repainted the stop bar and crosswalk lines on West Hill Street to emphasize to motorists that they must stop.
In addition, CDOT installed a new sign on South Church Street that warns drivers of the impending intersection with West Hill Street. The city also repainted the skip lines that designate the three lanes on the street.
Talking with reporters Wednesday afternoon, Newton changed the subject to discuss the intersection.
Theres not a light there, Newton said. I believe there should be a light there because its an extreme safety hazard. Recently this past week somebody got into a car accident....I hope that the city of Charlotte or Mecklenburg County does something about that intersection right there. Its extremely dangerous and I would love to see something to take place right there.