PINE HILLS, Fla. – Earlier this week, we told you about new Orange County data showing multiple pedestrian crashes along Hiawassee road, but that report also found hundreds of crashes at intersections along the roadway.
A new Orange County bike and pedestrian safety study released last month found 981 crashes at intersections along Hiawassee Road between Silver Star Road and Balboa Drive from 2019 to 2024. Only 37 of those crashes involved a bicycle or pedestrian.
62% or 607 of those crashes happened at intersection. 337 of those crashes resulted in injury, 3 of which were deaths.
Where Hiawassee meets Silver Star, is one of the most dangerous intersections, according to the report. From 2019 to 2024 — 465 crashes happened at this intersection.
There were also 98 crashes at Balboa Drive/Vernon Street and 44 at Hennepin Boulevard during that time according to the report.
“The report also says this intersection ranks fourth on the county’s top 30 corridors in its high-injury network.”
“That’s Hiawassee Point. I got hit making a left into that area,” said Lakiesha Dixon
In 2024, Dixon and her son were taken to the hospital after they were hit on the other side of Silver Star Road, where Hiawassee Road connects with Coral Cove Drive.
“It was a very scary experience. My son and I have PTSD as a result of that crash. And soon after our crash, there started to be fatal crashes at that same intersection.”
In 2025, eight people were killed in crashes along Hiawassee Road, including some at intersections. Dixon says that’s why improvements are needed at every intersection along Hiawassee.
“The visibility is very poor because people are going over hills and they can’t see downhill. By the time they can see, it’s too late. They’ve already hit another vehicle,” she said.
Orange County District 6 Commissioner Mike Scott said the county plans to use the data to prioritize safety improvements along the corridor.
County officials are working to add speed-feedback signs, new “Signal Ahead” warnings and updated road markings in the area since Dixon’s crash.
The Transportation Planning Division has submitted a request for a safety study north of Silver Star Road (like Hiawassee Road south of Silver Star Road) to be budgeted next fiscal year.
The Board of County Commissioners sets the budget in September ahead of the fiscal year start on October 1st.