“I won’t stop until something’s done”: Dauphne’s Hair Salon owner resolved to find a fix at Eagle Lake intersection
It’s not what one might consider a roadside memorial at the intersection of U.S. 17 and West Eagle Avenue in Eagle Lake. No markers identifying the site where a number of collisions have occurred over the years, replete with memorabilia about the person who died at that point in the road.
Nothing. Only what appear to be broken automobile pieces along that part of the property adjacent to the highway, the location of Dauphne’s Hair Salon, located at the corner of 12 W. Eagle Ave.
On Aug. 19, the latest collision occurred. It took the life of Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) volunteer chaplain Hector Cruz. It happened when the operator of a dump truck driving southbound on U.S. 17 is alleged to have run the red light and struck Cruz’s vehicle. The impact from the collision dragged the SUV Cruz had been operating down to the next block.
“It shook the building as soon as it hit,” said Dauphne Railey. The moment it occurred, she instinctively knew what had happened. It was a sound all too familiar to her, as it had occurred time and again over the 10 years she had been at her location.
However, to the woman working alongside Railey in the retail section of the salon, it was something unfamiliar.
“What was that?” said Railey. “I said call 9-1-1.” With that, she rushed out. “I just prayed and kept running.”
Although shaking, she stood in the middle of the road, trying to stop traffic from gawking and to halt traffic. She saw the effort of others responding to the scene, one person in particular, which Railey noted on her Facebook page (sic).
To the lady in the bright blue Kia who literally stopped and ran to you faster than anyone could, you are an angel on earth! She did not leave your side and helped the firefighters & EMTs even get into the ambulance until the chopper arrived! I’m praying for your heart so much tonight, sweetheart!
She also had only words of praise for Cruz’s compatriots, whose fire station was diagonally across the scene from the collision on the other side of railroad tracks; it was at that fire station Cruz had just visited, then left moments before the collision (sic):
… I stood there and watched all of the men and women that you’ve worked with, tirelessly try to save you!” Railey (sic) wrote. And she prayed. “All I knew at that point was to just pray, and pray HARD. I prayed every way I knew how to pray! I helped in every single way I knew how, but that still didn’t save you.
When she received word Cruz had succumbed to his injuries, Railey said that she felt lost inside until finding comfort that he had been a chaplain (sic): … that rested my heart because I knew, in yours that you knew were going to a good place.
Too Many Times
According to Railey, collisions at the intersection take place at an average of one per month, and aren’t limited to only the vehicles and the people inside the automobiles. Her property has also suffered damage.
One accident slammed into the brick retaining wall of the salon’s carport. A close inspection reveals where the bricks were dislodged from the impact. Nowadays, there is a large triangle-shaped sign on wheels at the edge of the driveway of the carport.
“I had to place it there because people backing out were getting hit by cars driving past,” she said. Her street sign and mailbox have also been damaged and destroyed. “My sign has been knocked down at least 15 times, and my mailbox at least 30 times.” Fortunately, she quipped, she and her husband are good friends with the woman who makes their signs.
Railey pointed to what appear to have once been telephone poles. These have been installed in order to mitigate further damage to the building and the property.
However, while damage to the property has been vexing, it’s the emotional toll it is taking on her. Witnessing frequent accidents — especially this latest one — has devastated her. It leads her to ask exactly how many people are going to have to die in order for something to be done.
Part of the challenge stems from her perception a lack of concern exists on the part of those she believes could and should do something.
“You just throw your hands up,” she said of the frustrations encountered. Yet it has also steeled her resolve. “I won’t stop until something’s done.”
Steve Steiner can be reached at: [email protected]
Your community. Your news. Your right to know. The Citrus Tea News.
Follow us on Facebook and Subscribe at thecitrustea.com for breaking news and weekly updates from The Citrus Tea News.
