ST9302-CL000121Nicole Curtis
10213 N. MacArthur, #130
Irving, Texas 75063
972.869.2771
972.467.0891
January 21, 2000
Garreth Campbell, Construction Inspector
City of Coppell
Streets Division
255 Parkway Blvd.
Coppell, Texas 75019
Dear Mr. Campbell:
I am writing to you in reference to a recent incident that occurred as a result of street
repair/construction along Sandy Lake Road at the Moore Road intersection. On the night
of December 22, 1999 at around 7:00 p.m. I was traveling south on Moore Road north of
Sandy Lake Road. I was traveling with caution at a slower rate of speed and slowed
down as normal as I approached the intersection of Moore Road and Sandy Lake Road.
This area is poorly lit and is consequently a very dark area. There were relatively few
other vehicles in the area making the area even darker. As I approached the intersection I
could see that there was road construction; however, there was a very steep upward
grade/incline running east to west on the eastbound side of Sandy Lake Road. There
were NO Warnine Siens prior to this intersection warning of this steep grade, or to Slow
to a Certain Speed ahead, nor were there any reflectors facing north/south indicating this
construction. (There are flashing reflectors facing east and west, but not north/south.)
There was a sign indicating construction; however, the sign was placed just prior to
entering the intersection and is not lit and hard to see because of the dark conditions of
the area, therefore making it too late to slow to almost a stop to proceed over the steep
grade in the intersection.
Upon approaching the intersection, I did notice that there was construction and slowed
considerably to proceed with caution. I did not know- and could not tell, however, that
there was the steep grade/incline until I was right at the incline and it was too late to
prepare accordingly. Without any warning, the bottom of my vehicle hit the steep
grade/incline dead center causing considerable damage to the undercarriage of my car. I
stopped to regain my composure and then traveled with caution on to my residence and
parked the vehicle.
Nicole Curtis
t'age 2
My family and I traveled out of town for the holidays the following day in a different
vehicle. When I recently returned from the holidays, I noticed considerable damage to
the undercarriage such as: bent tie rods, the car will not operate in reverse, and
substantial fluid leakage. I am not certain of ail of the damage since I have not taken it in
to a repair facility for estimates/repair yet.
Mr. Campbell, if there had been adequate warning signage indicating the steep grade
and/or north/south reflectors, as well as possibly more lighting in the area or a visibly lit
warning sign indicating to slow to a certain speed because of upcoming steep incline,
then this incident would not have occurred. I am certain this has caused extensive
damage to my vehicle and am asking the City of Coppell to take responsibility for this
damage upon my receipt of cost estimates for the damage.
I also want to make you aware of this out of concern for the safety of other Coppell area
residents, and in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring to other residents
causing potentially more damage or even injuries. This is a safety hazard and should be
addressed immediately.
Mr. Campbell, I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to hearing from
you. Please let me know how to proceed with this matter.
Sincerely,
Nicole Curtis