A Tuesday crash outside Panther Creek High School is renewing calls for safety improvements.
According to Cary police, a student driver was turning left into the school’s parking lot when they turned into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
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It’s not the first crash in this spot. WRAL News has covered several crashes there, including multiple incidents where students were hit by cars.
Parent Sarita Pamulaparthi is among several parents calling for lower speed limits, better signage, and an additional crosswalk to improve conditions.
Parents say the closest crosswalk to the school is about 800 feet down the road, too far for many students who walk. They say it’s time for that to change.
"There are high speeds, [a] lot of traffic, and kids crossing," she said. "It's very dangerous."
A spokesperson for the town of Cary said safety improvements are on the way.
In November 2025, the town shared a plan with WRAL News that includes a long-term project in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
The project aims to improve safety and traffic flow for both pedestrians and drivers near Panther Creek High School. Proposed features include:
- A traffic signal at the eastern Panther Creek High School driveway
- A midblock crosswalk near the Morris Branch Greenway with a pedestrian-activated rapid flashing beacon, advance flasher device and median refuge island
- Median modifications at the western PCHS driveway to improve visibility
In an update this week, a spokesperson said staff continues to work on the concept design plan, which was about 30% complete.
"We intend to host an update session this spring to present the progress and inform attendees on progress and next steps," the statement read.
Parents like Pamulaparthi say changes are needed sooner.
"This is an urgent situation. It's not one or two or 10 kids crossing the road. It's more like 20 plus," she said. "The action should be taken quickly."