With several recent accidents, it seems like driving is becoming increasingly more dangerous in Durango. In fact, several students at Durango High School have been involved in car accidents. Freshman Rico Jones was talking to a friend’s mom and heard a scream and when he looked and saw someone crossing the street on an electric wheelchair get hit by a car turning on Main street and dragged 5 feet. After witnessing this accident, Jones said “He heard a painful scream and looked to see this elderly man get hit by a man with a New Mexico license plate, he stopped, got out and didn’t help the man. My friend’s mom had to help him get up. The man who got hit was James Johnson, I think that’s his name, was yelling, ‘look next time’ when the man
who hit him said in an entitled tone ‘I did’ as he was not helping the man get up from his wheelchair.”
Reckless driving has become a growing issue in multiple states, but Jones said he was shocked the man had no remorse for the man he hit. James Johnson had to go to the hospital for a leg injury
An article by the Durango Herald talks about a semi-truck crash that ended someone’s life and put another in the hospital after a head on collision near Durango West. The unsafe drivers in this town are seemingly getting worse. The sedan drifted for seemingly no reason into oncoming traffic on a very important highway going to and from Durango where people commute daily to get to school or work. This weekend a well known football player at DHS, Braxton Waddell, was in a car accident and underwent several surgeries. In less than a week Waddell underwent surgery on his back, abdomen and arm according to the Durango Herald. The crash occurred at 11:20 am on U.S highway 550 about 2 miles north of Aztec. While the total recovery time is unsure, Waddell won’t be active for at least a year. Callie Waddel said neither she nor her son know what caused the crash. If you would like to support him, you can donate at this go fund me campaign. https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-braxton-and-family
Based on how many crashes that have happened in just a short amount of time you have to be carefull. According to the Craven County Health department, walk with a buddy, wear reflective gear, walk facing traffic, vary your route and be aware of your surroundings.
