Stop signs coming to Charlotte intersection where 6-year-old was killed in hit-and-run

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - The Charlotte Department of Transportation plans to add stop signs at an east Charlotte intersection where a 6-year-old girl was killed in a hit-and-run after getting off a school bus.

Mariana Espinoza was struck at the intersection of Barrington Drive and Lanecrest Drive on Oct. 23

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrested a 17-year-old days later who investigators said fled the scene.

Now, the Charlotte Department of Transportation plans to turn the intersection into a four-way stop and add warning signs to alert drivers as they approach. The city said the stop signs will be installed soon.

Espinoza’s death prompted neighbors to call for measures to slow traffic in the area.

Brian Michelotti, who lives around the corner, described traffic in the area as chaotic.

“Mostly just a lot of speeders. Driving way too fast, swerving in and out of the lanes they should be in,” he said.

Michelotti said he supports the new stop signs.

“Whatever we can do to get people to drive a little safer around here would be ideal,” he said.

In the days after the crash, neighbor Kamya Little said she hoped to see speed bumps installed.

“That way you can at least slow it down a little bit,” Little said.

The Charlotte Department of Transportation is also collecting traffic data along Barrington Drive to determine whether other changes are needed.

The department is not currently planning to add marked crosswalks because there are not curb ramps at all four corners of the intersection.