O'FALLON, Mo. — For years, Norma Stoltz has tried to warn MoDOT about the trees on her daily commute. Their long, leafy branches hang over Highway 79, and Stoltz worried it was only a matter of time until they came down on a driver.
"I hold my breath literally," Stoltz said. "I am terrified of that little stretch of road."
Stoltz's worries were confirmed Friday when John Dean was impaled and killed by one of the branches.
"I was horrified, but I wasn't surprised," Stoltz said. "I've been thinking this was going to happen and unfortunately, he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. This could have been anybody."
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Stoltz said she's called MoDOT for at least two years about the branches. But Monday morning -- more calls. She had a list of different agencies -- "I called St. Charles County, and I called O'Fallon," she said -- but they all had the same advice.
"They all referred me back to MoDOT," Stoltz said.
When Five On Your Side contacted MoDOT, Communications Specialist Rachel Sudduth said the agency had carried out a site visit in the area.
"At this time, we have not found any branches or limbs in the area that we believe to be a hazard to motorists or pedestrians traveling along the highway," Suddeth said in an email. "We will continue to monitor and provide routine maintenance to the area. As always we encourage drivers to contact us on our Customer Service line at 314-275-1500 if they see any roadway safety concerns."
Stoltz said she'll also watch the trees, though it's too late for at least one man.
"One of the gentlemen I spoke to at Highway Patrol told me unfortunately sometimes it takes something like this to make a change," Stoltz said. "So as tragic as it is -- and it certainly is a tragedy, -- I hope something good will come of it."
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