Imagine being jolted awake at 2 AM to the sound of a car crashing through your house. Now imagine living every day in fear that it will happen again. This is what living in the Bernarte family home is like. Their home in Raleigh, NC has been hit by 6 cars -- resulting in 4 deaths -- since the family moved there in 2004.

The most recent crash was at the beginning of August and is a reminder as to why the Bernarte children cannot play in their yard and why nobody is ever on the front porch. Carlo Bernarte, his wife, and their three kids all sleep in their eldest son’s bedroom in the back of their house. They live every day in fear.

The family has now been dropped from their homeowner's insurance due to the frequency of the crashes and there is no hope in selling their home. The family is stuck in a dangerous living situation and the authorities have been unresponsive.

Carlo has repeatedly asked for the guardrail already on his road to be extended to cover his property. However, because it could block the line of sight for drivers leaving the neighborhood, his suggestion was rejected. Authorities have even admitted that all other attempts to deter accidents on the property have been unsuccessful. Carlo is preparing to move and take the loss on his house-- a huge financial burden to keep his family safe.

It’s time for the town to take responsibility and purchase this property from the family they have failed to safeguard. The family believes it’s not a matter of if it will happen again, but when.

So please join me in asking the City of Raleigh to purchase the Bernarte home, which would make it easier for them to move. This will not only allow the Bernarte family to live in more peace, but it will likely prevent future deaths.

Media contact: bernartepetition@gmail.com