In a near-replay of Tuesday's fatality uptown, another pedestrian was struck by a vehicle Wednesday morning at College and Stonewall streets in Charlotte - a busy intersection that one nearby worker calls a "deathtrap."
Wednesday's victim was not seriously injured. But in another coincidence, he was another Wells Fargo employee.
Transportation engineers, who plan to discuss safety at the intersection, were awaiting reports on the collision from Charlotte-Mecklenburg police late Wednesday, Charlotte Department of Transportation Spokeswoman Linda Durrett said. The department didn't have a timeline on when any recommendations about changes would be made, she said.
"When there is a crash or when there is a pedestrian fatality, there is going to be an extensive CDOT investigation," Durrett said. "This will be looked at as quickly and efficiently as possible."
But Donna Hanner, who works at a law firm at College and Stonewall, said she notified the city about the intersection years ago.
"The corner of College and Stonewall has always been a deathtrap," Hanner wrote July 3, 2008, in an email to Interim CDOT Director Danny Pleasant. "Just this morning, a car ran the redlight on Stonewall and was hit by two cars coming on College. From our office on the corner, we hear metal hitting metal and tires screeching on a regular basis. It's a daily risk getting to and from work."
'What are the odds?'
On Tuesday morning, Wells Fargo executive Brett Morgan, 47, died when he was struck by a dump truck while crossing South College Street. A truck driver - who had a green light and was turning right from Stonewall Street onto College Street - was charged.
According to police reports, Wednesday's incident was similar. It happened about 7 a.m., the same as on Tuesday. Once again, it was rainy with fog.
The injured pedestrian - David Smuda, 42, of Waxhaw - told the Observer that he'd heard about Tuesday's collision that killed a fellow Wells Fargo employee. He was thinking about that and being cautious as he approached the intersection.
But he said he thought, "Of all days, you'd think it would be safer today. What are the odds it would happen in back-to-back days?"
As Smuda walked along College Street and crossed Stonewall Street after receiving a signal that it was safe to cross, he was struck by a car that was turning left from College onto Stonewall, according to a police report.
The driver, a 26-year-old man, told police he didn't see Smuda, who was in his blind spot, the police report said. He was not charged.
Paramedics took Smuda to Carolinas Medical Center. Smuda described his injuries as bruises and muscle strains.
The intersection is surrounded by the Charlotte Convention Center, the Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, and the Westin hotel, and it isn't far from the Stonewall Lynx station. It's a busy areas for vehicles and walkers, particularly during commute times.
Hanner and others who work nearby told the Observer that wrecks are frequent and cars rarely yield to pedestrians.
The intersection became more dangerous, Hanner said, after a loading-dock entrance to the Levine Cultural Campus opened. Delivery or construction trucks routinely are stopped at the center's guard shack, backing up traffic or creating hazards.
"I've had them turn right in front of me as if I wasn't there," Hanner said. "I've had a friend pull me back when I'm starting to step out because a car is racing down the hill."
Smuda said he's been walking into uptown for work for the last 10 years, sometimes alternating between College Street and South Boulevard. "I've never really felt in harm's way going through that intersection," he said.
But he is concerned about a crosswalk on South Boulevard at the ramp to Interstate 277.
"Of all the places, that's where I thought I'd get hit," he said. "I'm just thankful I made it through the day."












