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2 deadly accidents spark speed discussion

Posted at 7:24 PM, Feb 10, 2013
and last updated 2013-02-11 07:41:21-05

(WTVR) – Two fatal accidents that happened just hours apart in Richmond and Petersburg over the weekend are sparking a discussion about speed.

Charlie Polk, one of the first people to discover a single-vehicle accident on Cary Street Road Saturday night, was startled by what was left of the wreckage.

"It looks like they hit a tree hard enough that only a stump is left," Polk said. "The engine was total out of the car across the street."

Investigators said two men in their twenties were killed after their car slammed into a patch of trees. [RELATED: Police ID Cary Street Road crash victims]

Richmond police said speed appears to be factor in the crash.

Neighbors said drivers often ignore the 30 mph speed limit posted on Cary Street Road.

However, newly elected Richmond City Councilman John Baliles, who represents this district, told CBS 6 News' Jake Burns that he has not received any complaints about speeding in the area.

However, tragedy on area roads extends beyond Balies district and beyond Richmond this weekend.

Ikeyia Jones, 18, was killed and two other people in the car were sent to the hospital after an accident on Crater Road in Petersburg.

Terry Jung, who lives across from where the wreck happened, heard what he described as a loud boom around 6 a.m. Sunday.

Several people in the area said this is not the first time a bad accident has happened on this stretch of Crater Road.

In fact, they said a wall has been hit several times and speeding always seems to be a factor.

"If you stay out here long enough, you will see cars speeding up and down Crater Road like it's the highway, and it's really bad," said one woman.

Petersburg police are investigating this wreck and have not said whether the car involved in the accident was speeding.

Neighbors who live near both accidents raise questions about whether more could be done to prevent deadly crashes in the future.

"Our hearts do go out for the families, the friends, and any family who's had a tragedy like this impact them. "

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