Dangerous OKC Intersection Prompts Residents To Push For Crosswalk

Dana Hertneky, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A local man is trying to get the city to make some changes to an intersection in the northwest part of city because of the high number pedestrian that have been hit by cars there.

At Northwest 39th Street and North Barnes Avenue the Oklahoma City Police Department has worked seven injury accidents at the intersection.

On New Years Eve 2009, Floyd Martin was severely injured when he was hit by a car at the intersection.

"We are simply bar hopping, I stepped out in front of a car, she didn't see me, I didn't see her," Martin said.

George Harris is part owner of the Phoenix right in that area.

"This is an entertainment district just like Bricktown, honestly, and there needs to be some way to slow everybody down," Harris said.

And that comment is right on target with why Nate Benner has started a petition to get a cross walk put up in the area.

"I don't know anybody who says they haven't been almost hit at this intersection," Benner said.

Benner and several others said the problem is there are seven bars and a hotel in the immediate vicinity. However, to get across 39th Street legally, you would have to walk two blocks down to Pennsylvania Avenue, cross the street then walk back.

"(People are) not going to walk that far," Harris said.

Which leaves patrons trying to dodge traffic, and for Martin, who was unsuccessful, it meant three surgeries and a lifetime of complications.

Benner said he will present the petition to the Oklahoma City Traffic Commission hopefully at their next meeting.