Fifty-two Monticello residents are calling on the State Highway and Transportation Department to “take out” Dead Man’s Curve, a sharp, double-curve and incline on U.S. 278 about two miles east of Monticello where there have been many accidents over the years, some fatal.
The recent death of a young Alabama woman at the dangerous curve has prompted a letter to State Highway Commissioner Robert Moore and State Highway and Transportation Department Director Scott Bennett asking that the department “immediately take all necessary actions to take out ‘Dead Man’s Curve'” in U.S. 278 east of Monticello.
The letter, written under the First United Methodist Church letterhead, was signed by 52 Monticello residents and was the result of an August 3 discussion in church’s Adult Sunday School Class whose members were touched by the August 1 automobile accident that took the life of 21-year-old Carly Nicole Avery, of Hamilton, Alabama.
Carly Avery
Avery was traveling east on U.S. 278 at 6:20 a.m. on August 1 when she lost control of her car as she attempted to negotiate the curve on the wet highway. Her vehicle went into the westbound lane where it was struck by a 2014 Freightliner.
Avery was a civil engineering student at Mississippi State University working a summer internship at the Clearwater paper mill near Arkansas City. She was temporarily residing in Monticello.
“Our purpose in writing you is to respectfully request the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department to immediately take all necessary actions to take out ‘Dead Man’s Curve’ in Hwy. 278 just east of Monticello,” the letter reads. “The unreasonably sharp double curve/incline configuration of this part of our local highway system has played a significant role in causing many auto accidents over the years, including a number of fatal accidents. We have little doubt that it played a major role in causing the death of Carly. It is our hope and prayer that you will take immediate action to remove this trap for unwary travelers in our community.”
The letter also requests the department name the highway construction project the “Carly Nicole Avery Highway Safety Project”.
Long overdue
We loved Carly. She was a beautiful part of our family. Nothing can bring Carly back to us but maybe accidents resolving in deaths and severely injured people will decline and even stop with “The Carly Nicole Avery Highway Safety Project”. Carly always wanted things to be correct, fair, and safe for everyone. Carly was the champion of many. She loved, protected, and nurtured with her big heart, beautiful mind and soul. Please allow this horrible twisting death trap to be replaced into a safe, protected road that is easy for our children, parents, grandchildren, and all who travel to navigate. Our hearts can’t take the pain and suffering from losing another family member when there ARE solutions to be discussed, worked out, agreed upon and action taken. Honor sweet Carly by helping save the lives of others. Forever loving our angel, Carley Nicole Avery.
I believe that this should have been done years ago! How many more lives have to be lost?
Definitely should have been taken out years ago. I have driven this area many years ago and many times. And there were always accidents happening. Prayers for Nicole’s family.
Carly was the best of the best among today’s young people . Bright, down-to-earth, loving, Christian young lady. Her death has devastated her future husband and both families. So senseless! Please straighten that curve up so that no more good people will die..for nothing! Thank you, thoughtful people , for instigating a movement to save future lives.. We need to know when you successfully achieve this… Thank you.
I-69 will bypass this section of AR 4/US 278. I doubt AHTD will spend the amount of money required to fix this curve on what will basically be a secondary highway in a few years.
How many more lives will be lost waiting for I-69? After that highway is built this deadly curve will remain and still be a danger.