Neighbors refer to road where woman was hit, killed by car as ‘Death Row’

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A woman was hit and killed by a car while walking on a Catawba County road early Friday morning.

Troopers said 20-year-old Samantha Lee Beaver died after being hit just before 6:50 a.m. while she was walking along Slanting Bridge Road near Vista View Drive.

Neighbors told Channel 9 that the stretch of road in Newton has been deadly for years.

“It is a complete death row,” Frank Oddo said.

Oddo said there have been many crashes on the road since he’s lived in the area.

"I’ve never been on a road this dangerous, a section of road, my entire life,” he said.

Officials said Beaver was wearing dark clothing and the road was not lit. It was also raining at the time.

Neighbor Joe Joseph said the lack of road lighting is only a small part of the problem.

He said there needs to be more more signs, tougher speed limit enforcement and a community meeting to build awareness.

Neighbors told Channel 9 the road’s problem area starts at the bend, where drivers often lose control.

A few drivers have crashed into Joseph’s fence, which he said he’s replaced 10 to 15 times.

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Troopers said the driver of the car that hit Beaver stayed on the scene and called 911. They said they do not expect to file charges.

Investigators were working all morning trying to figure out where Beaver was going and why she was walking on the side of the road.

Channel 9 contacted Catawba County leaders to ask about increasing patrols on the road, but have not yet heard back.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

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