Family looks for traffic options after fatal crash

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — A teen’s death from a car crash a month ago has her family looking at ways to keep the same sort of thing from happening again. But it could take some time to make the changes they hope for along US 74/76.

Coming in and out of Compass Pointe in Leland is not easy for Kelli Benton, especially after what happened there just five weeks ago.

Her stepdaughter, Lindsay Benton, died after a car accident at the entrance of the neighborhood while trying to cross the road.

At that intersection, you’ll find a sign that the Benton family put there stating “Turn right, Support Lindsay’s light”. Benton says it is a reminder of how short life can be.

“I know what can happen here,” Benton said. “I have experienced something no one should have to go through. I’ve watched my husband and his ex wife have go through something no parent should have to go through so knowing that we can change it, fix it, and maybe save a life is extremely important to us.”

Benton says the past month have been difficult, but something needs to change.

“I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if someone else is hurt at this intersection and I didn’t say anything or do anything,” Benton said.

She has been in contact with NCDOT for possible options like adding a traffic light.

“If it’s not a traffic light that’s fine, but what is it?” Benton said. “Because this is not good enough.”

The DOT says changes are likely, but it could take some time.

A department spokesman says as Compass Pointe grows and adds homes, retail, a golf course and more entrances, the intersections on 74/76 will eventually become a superstreet with traffic lights like near Walmart and Brunswick Forest on Highway 17.

For now though, Benton continues to get support from the community, including through a petition, and asks drivers leaving her neighborhood to turn right.

“Just make a right out of Compass Pointe, that’s the support you can give us to let us know that you remember Lindsay,” Benton said.

An extra minute to your commute, she says could be a life-saving decision.

“We just feel like the minute is worth someone’s life,” Benton said.

Benton’s Change.org petition has more than 460 signatures so far encouraging the state and developer to speed up changes to the intersection where her stepdaughter’s crash happened.