A Charlotte High School student was struck by a car Tuesday morning while biking to school at the intersection of Carmelita Street and Education Avenue in Punta Gorda. The teen was taken to the hospital and is recovering, according to police. The school sent an email to parents urging students to wear helmets and use bike lights, and asking drivers to slow down near campus.
That email landed with extra weight because of where the crash happened. Parents tell us the front of Charlotte High has flashers, crosswalks, and regular police presence, but the Carmelita side has none of that. One parent described drivers moving “way too fast” on that stretch, and another pointed out there are no flashers in any direction and no officers anywhere on that side of campus.
The conversation now is about consistency: if one entrance to the school is worth protecting with traffic controls, why not all of them? PPD says the investigation into the crash continues. In the meantime, if your student rides to school, check the helmet, charge the lights, and talk through the safest route. What’s the most dangerous intersection on your child’s trip to school? Tell us in the comments or call the station.
