A recent head-on collision that killed 4 San Diego County residents is creating renewed urgency in the battle for a barrier along State Route 67.
The route is busy for commuters and tourists who travel to and from Ramona. Over the course of the last decade, dozens of people have died as a result of drivers crossing over the median.
“It’s highly dangerous, my best friend died four years ago” said Ramona resident Steph Gonzalez.
There is little room for error on the 67, as drivers travel in opposite directions separated by just a few feet.
“I mean there’s a nickname for this road -- Slaughter House Alley,” said attorney Benjamin Bunn.
He calls it the worst head on collision highway in southern California, yet after representing victims in four cases against Caltrans -- all settled before trial -- he says the state continues to drag its feet on on barriers despite their own guidelines which show they're necessary.
“I think their intentions are right, but at a certain point the bureaucracy needs to get out of the way," Bunn said. "Let's fix the road and stop these head-ons from happening. It can be done, and it can be done quickly.”
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In Ramona most people NBC 7 spoke with were in favor of the barriers, despite the possibility of barriers increasing single vehicle accidents and property damage by narrowing lane space.
Caltrans declined comment on this story due to pending litigation involving a case where a victim died in a SR-67 head-on collision.
