Robstown residents urge action after a tragic crash at intersection CR 36 and CR 77, where frequent crashes highlight the dire need for safety improvements.

ROBSTOWN, Texas — The Robstown community is raising concerns about the safety of an intersection following a fatal car crash last Thursday.

Just a week ago, a father and his two children were killed at the intersection of County Road 36 and County Road 77.

Melina Ramos has driven through the intersection daily for the past three years and said she has always felt uneasy.

“I cried the whole way home. I had to take the other way around because I had seen it happen. I was devastated,” Ramos said. “I feel like it’s completely preventable.”

“I’ve seen people drive 30. I’ve seen people drive all the way up to 80,” Ramos said. “Sometimes I have to pull over to the side because people want to pass me.”

For others, like Daniel Benavides — who lost his son in a car accident — the tragedy feels all too familiar.

“You know, that is part of my life, and when I first heard about the accident, the first thing I did was pray for the family,” Benavides said. “Some of the relatives go to our church. I understand how this will affect the family, and it’s incredibly sad. This family has been changed forever.”

Benavides lives down the street from the intersection.

“My in-laws were actually in an accident at that intersection years ago. I know there have been others,” Benavides said.

According to Texas Department of Transportation crash data, the Texas Department of Public Safety has responded to three other crashes at the intersection over the past two years — all involving drivers on County Road 36 who either ran the stop sign or failed to yield to traffic on County Road 77.

“I’ve passed through there many times during the day and at night, and both times it is dangerous,” Robstown Mayor Mary-Ann Saenz said.

Saenz agrees the area is not as safe as it should be. That’s why she is working with Nueces County Commissioner John Marez.

“We agreed that he would support the city and our community by providing lighted stop signs,” Saenz said. “I wish I had other solutions, but at least the lighted stop signs will bring more visual awareness to the intersection and hopefully help prevent future accidents.”