Another deadly crash along Siesta Key road

SARASOTA, Fla. (FOX 13) - Crashes have become an all-too-familiar story along a stretch of road on the northern tip of Siesta Key.

"It's very common to see people go through here at 50, 60 miles per an hour," complained resident Dee Reams. 

Early Saturday morning, a motorcyclist was killed at Siesta Drive and Higel Avenue. Sarasota police said he lost control as he went through the intersection. 

Reams says it's been a problem since the 1960s. 

"I would hear stories from different neighbors like cars ending up on rooftops and cars crashing through privacy walls and on and on," she said. 

Residents got so fed up they formed a group called Make Siesta Drive Safer, and Reams is the chairperson. Their research uncovered 180 accidents in five years -- all within the small area. 

Saturday's crash marks the fourth fatal accident that’s happened on the two-mile stretch of road just within two years.

"We were so sad. Our committee is really sad to know that another death had to happen. We don’t understand why there’s not more urgency to physically fix the road," continued Reams. 

The Florida Department of Transportation lowered the speed limit around the curve and put up flashing lights, but it hasn't slowed anyone down. Dee wants to see speed bumps, crosswalks and another drop in the speed limit from 40 to 30. 

"We don’t want to get a reputation for our road being a death trap," she said. 

Members of Make Siesta Drive Safer said they won't rest until changes are made, even though they know it's a long road ahead. 

"We've got a long way to go," Reams added.