Bizarre hit-and-run raises concerns about speeding on Asheville road
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — An extreme case of hit-and-run highlights concerns about excessive speeds along a stretch of road in Asheville.
A driver slammed into a home on Sand Hill Road and left the scene.
A school, soccer complex, church and cemetery may also be found along the road near the Enka-Asheville line.
Mike Goforth, who has been ringing sales at his Sand Hill Grocery for 13 years, spearheaded the installation of traffic lights out front. That helped control the busy intersection, but did not slow drivers down.
"It seems to get worse. People always want to hurry. We've had some neighbors had some incidents with some pets, had cars drive through the yard," Goforth said.
The speed limit on the road is 35 mph.
"If it wasn't for this mulch pile, they probably would've been inside my house," Sarah Clinkscales said, pointing to where the the vehicle hit. "I've been after my tenant for six-months to get rid of it (the mulch), and he wouldn't do it. And it's the only thing that really saved my house from really getting pummeled."
Mulch sprayed everywhere. Parts of a car were strewn about.
No one home was home at the time, so the driver just threw it into reverse and took off.
Clinkscales thought she'd seen it all.
Over the years, there's been a car sideswiped in the driveway, trash cans smashed. Then just a week ago, her tenant's dog was run down by a driver who did not stop.
“To have my house hit by a car, my tenant's dog hit by a car, my mailbox knocked down, all within the process of 10 days, is a lot to digest," Clinkscales said.
So now she is reaching out to the city and state, hoping for some relief along Sand Hill School Road, and not just for herself.
“I would love to do something for this community," Clinkscales said. "I mean, just watch the road. Do you think they're going 35 miles an hour? No."
Clinkscales said she would also love see whoever was behind the wheel get caught.
Asheville police are investigating the hit-and-run at her home.
