by Aurora, Colorado — A frustrated homeowner who says cars have slammed into his property three times has taken matters into his own hands, spending $30,000 to build a massive cement wall to protect his suburban home from reckless drivers.
A Neighborhood Plagued by Crashes
For residents living near Peoria Street and East Virginia Place in Aurora, constant car crashes have become a frightening norm. Over the past year, at least five homes have been struck by vehicles, leaving homeowners on edge and searching for solutions.
“I can’t even sleep, you know? You don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Daniel Gelamichael, whose home has been hit three separate times. Speaking to CBS News, Gelamichael said he finally decided to build a concrete barrier around his property after a stolen car crashed into his garage in May.
“It was the only way to feel safe,” he told reporters. “I had to do it. I didn’t have a choice.”
Cement Barrier Stops Another Crash
The expensive structure proved its worth almost immediately. In September, another speeding car careened toward Gelamichael’s house — but this time, it was stopped cold by the concrete wall.
Still, the near misses continued for others. Just a few weeks later, a neighboring home was hit in October, followed by yet another crash on Peoria Street last week.
According to Aurora Police, a vehicle traveling north on Peoria Street lost control and slammed into a house on the southeast corner of East Virginia Place. The driver, 25-year-old Tajhae Darden, fled on foot but was quickly caught by an officer on a motorcycle.
Darden was treated for minor injuries and issued summonses for careless driving, no insurance, and leaving the scene of an accident, officials said.
Fear and Frustration Among Residents
For residents like Antonio Ortiz, who also built a cement wall around his home, the crashes have become a terrifying part of life.
“My fear is them going into one of our rooms,” Ortiz told. “Causing a lot of damage or hurting someone.”
Neighbors say the issue stems from excessive speeding, stolen vehicles, and a lack of traffic enforcement. Many are calling on the city to add speed bumps, barriers, or increased police patrols to prevent future tragedies.
City Officials Respond
In a statement, the City of Aurora confirmed that it is aware of multiple crashes along the Peoria Street corridor and is conducting a detailed safety review.
“The city is also aware of other crashes reported at other locations along the corridor,” officials said. “Staff are continuing to gather information and conduct a more detailed review of this area after the latest incident.”
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However, the city also noted limitations in how it can respond. “Public Works does not implement traffic-calming devices on major arterials, as these measures can conflict with the roadway’s primary function and affect congestion, emergency response, and maintenance operations,” the statement explained.
Despite those challenges, city engineers said they regularly review arterial corridors for safety improvements and will continue to analyze crash data to see if changes are needed.
Ongoing Safety Concerns
For now, homeowners like Gelamichael are left to rely on their own costly protections. His $30,000 wall may have stopped one crash, but with speeding still rampant, the fear hasn’t gone away.
“It’s scary every time I hear screeching tires,” he said. “You just hope it’s not coming for you.”
Have reckless drivers caused safety concerns in your neighborhood? Share your thoughts and local experiences with us in the comments on race-day-live.com.
