A deadly crash on the Southern State Parkway is renewing urgent calls for safety upgrades along a stretch many locals grimly refer to as “Blood Alley.”
Two people were killed Sunday night near Exit 17S in West Hempstead, an area where residents say serious accidents happen far too often.
Matthew Haffner, who has lived just off the parkway for two decades, says the danger is nothing new.
“We've been here 20 years and seen major accidents at this curb once or twice a year,” he said.
Haffner wants stronger protections installed along the roadway. He says the current fencing isn’t enough to stop out-of-control vehicles.
“I would rather have a solid barrier up that protects us. We've had cars come barreling through — and it would also help with noise and pollution,” he added.
Drivers who use the parkway daily share similar concerns. Empress Henderson, who was on the road the night of the crash, says action is overdue.
“How many times does this have to happen? Enough is enough. When is it going to end?” she said.
Now, a local lawmaker is pushing for change. Carrié Solages is calling for increased police presence and major infrastructure improvements along the parkway.
Those proposed upgrades include stronger guardrails, wider lanes, and more space between vehicles. The improvements are aimed at reducing the risk of high-speed crashes.
“We've seen bodies thrown from mangled cars onto the surrounding areas of the Southern State Parkway. This is a major issue,” Solages said.
News 12 reached out to the state DOT, which responded with the following statement:
“The safety of the traveling public is always the New York State Department of Transportation’s (NYSDOT) top priority and we continuously review safety measures in place on all our highways, including the Southern State Parkway. However, safety is everyone’s responsibility and we urge motorists to drive responsibly, remain alert and do not drink and drive. As this week’s tragic incident remains the subject of a law enforcement investigation, we cannot comment further.”