Local

Safety measures approved on Matthews road year after 7-year-old's death

MATTHEWS, N.C. — The death of a young girl a year ago has sparked concerns about safety along Sam Newell Road in Matthews.

Family, friends and community members have been fighting for guardrails ever since 7-year-old Lyla Chaudhary died when the car she was riding in ran off the curve and went down a steep embankment.

[RELATED: 7-year-old's crash death sparks calls to make Matthews road safer]

The North Carolina Department of Transportation approved the guardrail project but said they are still figuring out funding.

(Lyla Chaudhary)

It’s taken more than a year for better safety measures.

“It would mean the world to them to know that through their tragedy came something that is going to save somebody else,” Salvatore Pecorella, a family friend of Lyla, said.

NCDOT officials told Channel 9 that a guardrail could cost about $100,000.

Not to mention, there's still a lot of work they would have to do to build up the land around the embankment to support the project.

NCDOT officials said they will meet again in August to go over the list of projects that require funding.

The Sam Newell Road guardrail project is on that list, but it's competing with dozens of other projects across the state.

In the meantime, there are signs along the curve telling drivers to slow down.

Residents in the area and family and friends told Channel 9 that’s a start, but they still want guardrails to be put in place.

Residents said they have seen signs of progress as crews have been clearing shrubs and taking pictures of the area.

DOT officials said arrows have been ordered to warn drivers of the steep curve ahead, along with a digital speed limit sign.

These two changes have been approved for around $20,000.

We're in desperate need of that guardrail,” resident Tina Hargett said. “I mean, it's to the point now someone's lost their life.”