Scott Zgraggen of Elkins Park and Jeff and Erica Schmidt, who live next door to Zgraggen, were recently featured by 6ABC for their calls to improve safety around an accident-prone bend of their road.
Three car crashes—the most recent of which happened five days ago—have taken place behind their homes on Township Line Road (Rt. 73).
The vehicle’s occupants from the December 26 accident had to be extricated by first responders after they went through a fence.


Courtesy of McKinley Fire Company
The Schmidts have spent $15,000 to $20,000 to repair their backyard after each crash.
PennDOT has so far installed centerline rumble strips, raised pavement markers, and enhanced 25 mph speed signs. Neighbors in the area want PennDOT to install a guardrail, but officials say a 2021 safety study said the road doesn’t meet the right criteria.
“Every time we hear a sharp breaking sound, we go right to the windows to take a look,” Zgraggen said.
“The driver came and ended up in our yard, car pinned between two boulders and took out a telephone pole, three of our neighbor’s trees, half of their fence and half of our fence,” Schmidt said.
For 6ABC’s video coverage, you can watch below:
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Screengrab: 6ABC