Richmond, VA — A deadly crash on Tuesday evening at the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Laburnum Avenue has raised alarms about road safety in the area, as residents and local employees report frequent accidents and near-misses.
The crash occurred just before 8:30 p.m. on December 10, when 56-year-old Brenda Lee Butler lost control of her vehicle while driving westbound down Nine Mile Road. According to police, Butler’s car ran off the road twice before flipping multiple times. She was found outside the vehicle with life-threatening injuries and later died at the hospital. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.
Police have stated that both speed and alcohol contributed to the crash. This incident marks the seventh reported accident at this intersection in 2024 alone, and local residents are growing increasingly concerned about the persistent safety risks.
Employees at the nearby Family Dollar store, located just off the intersection, described the aftermath of the crash as chaotic. Cheryl Poindexter, an employee at the store, said the sound of the crash was so loud that it shook the building. “We were at work and we heard a loud boom,” Poindexter recalled. Her manager, TeeTee Neil, who also felt the building shake, added that the scene was filled with flashing police lights as officers searched the area.
“It was loud, and I felt the building shake,” Neil said. “It’s not uncommon to hear loud crashes here.”
Both Poindexter and Neil noted that accidents and near-misses happen with alarming frequency at this intersection. “They drive like they’re in a race,” said Neil, referring to the drivers speeding through the area. Poindexter added that speeding is a common problem, not just on Nine Mile Road but even in the parking lot. “They even speed in the parking lot,” she said.
Locals have long raised concerns about the speed of traffic at the intersection, which they say is a key factor in the recurring accidents. “It’s almost every week that we see someone speeding through here,” said one resident, who wished to remain anonymous. “The intersection is dangerous, especially with how fast people drive.”
The intersection’s reputation for frequent accidents and close calls has prompted calls for action from the community. Some residents are urging local authorities to address the issue by installing better signage, implementing speed bumps, or increasing enforcement of speed limits.
Henrico County police have said they will continue to monitor the intersection, but for many locals, it’s clear that more needs to be done to prevent further accidents.
In light of the recent fatality, some community members are asking for immediate changes to improve safety at the intersection. Suggestions include additional traffic lights, enhanced speed enforcement, and public awareness campaigns about the dangers of speeding and driving under the influence.
For now, the intersection remains a source of anxiety for those who live and work nearby, with many hoping that the tragic death of Brenda Lee Butler will serve as a wake-up call for both authorities and drivers alike. Until then, residents are left to wonder if more will be done to prevent the next accident at one of Henrico County’s most dangerous intersections.
