Lexington, Kentucky – A Lexington homeowner is using social media to draw attention to a dangerous stretch of road where crashes happen with alarming frequency. What began as a home-building journey on TikTok has evolved into a public safety warning as serious accidents continue to occur just outside her property.
Incident Overview
Renee Nimtz, a longtime resident living along Delong Road, says the narrow, winding roadway has become one of the most dangerous crash zones in her area. Through her TikTok account, she documents repeated accidents and urges local officials to take stronger action before more lives are lost.
Nimtz’s property sits along a five-mile, two-lane road marked by sharp curves and uneven pavement, conditions she believes are contributing to the growing number of serious crashes.
Timeline of Ongoing Crashes
According to Nimtz, accidents occur so frequently that they have become almost routine for nearby residents.
“It’s literally once a week, and sometimes more than that,” she said. “We had three last week, or three just within four days last week.”
She recalled one particularly violent crash involving a college student, where the impact scattered personal belongings across her yard.
“The impact of one of them was so severe that this young girl’s belongings — her book bags and things — flew up several yards into my yard, nearly to my front door.”
Road Conditions and Infrastructure Concerns
Nimtz has lived at her current home for 13 years and says residents have repeatedly raised safety concerns with city officials. She claims road resurfacing projects over the years have created dangerous drop-offs along the shoulder.
“The road was not milled down enough,” Nimtz said. “In some places, there is a complete 12-inch, one full foot drop-off.”
She believes these conditions make it difficult for drivers to recover when a tire slips off the edge of the pavement.
City Response and Official Explanation
City officials acknowledge the problems but say the road’s construction history complicates repairs. Nancy Albright, the city’s environmental quality and public works commissioner, explained that layers of asphalt have built up over time.
“We didn’t always mill off that top layer of asphalt before we put a new layer on,” Albright said. “If you look at several county roads, they kind of increase in height over the years.”
Albright added that crews have focused on reinforcing the road shoulders to reduce the risk of rollovers or loss of control.
“If your wheel drops off, you have somewhere to pull it back up,” she said.
The City of Lexington says it is aware of police-documented incidents along Delong Road and responds when crashes occur.
Social Media Impact and Public Reaction
Through her TikTok account @buildingblogs on TikTok, Nimtz has amassed nearly 400,000 views and hundreds of comments highlighting similar concerns. Many viewers have suggested potential safety upgrades, including guardrails, speed bumps, and additional warning signage.
Her posts have brought renewed attention to Delong Road, which connects several major parts of Lexington and sees steady traffic throughout the day.
Safety Concerns Raised by Residents
Nimtz emphasizes that the incidents are far more serious than minor collisions.
“We are not talking about just a fender bender,” she said. “We are talking about people who are dying out here on this road.”
She and her neighbors say they frequently witness back-to-back crashes and fear it is only a matter of time before another fatal accident occurs.
Additional Context and Preservation Efforts
Beyond traffic safety, Nimtz also wants to ensure the surrounding historic farmland is protected as development continues in the area. She says responsible planning should balance growth with infrastructure upgrades to keep residents and drivers safe.
Conclusion
As crashes continue along Delong Road, residents hope increased visibility will lead to meaningful safety improvements. Nimtz says she remains willing to work with city officials to identify long-term solutions that prevent further loss of life.
If you live near Delong Road or drive through the area, remain alert, slow down, and watch for uneven pavement. Share your experiences in the comments below.
