CHARLOTTE, N.C. — People illegally cross North Tryon Street in north Charlotte dozens of times a day.
It’s a dangerous dance that can turn deadly since the closest crosswalk is half a mile away.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department pushed to get a crosswalk put in, but Channel 9 learned the solution has faced slow progress.
Calvin Ancrum watched several cars drive past and then picked his moment to cross the busy street.
He crosses the five-lane street regularly, knowing his life is at stake.
“I know I have to get across the street,” Ancrum said.
On Tuesday, a 73-year-old man was seriously injured, but survived, attempting to cross the street.
Police later found the car that hit him and charged the driver with felony hit-and-run.
“A car hit him, he flew in the air, landed and the car kept going,” witness Angela Monty said.
Officer Mark Parrott said police went to the city a year ago to ask for another crosswalk there. It’s finally happening, but isn't ready yet.
“You're looking at five lanes of traffic,” Parrott said. “You're looking at 45 miles an hour.”
Ancrum is wondering what took the city so long.
“It always happens after someone gets hit,” Ancrum said. “I don't know why they haven't thought of it sooner because people cross this street all the time.”
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