Resident urges traffic study after fatal crash on Rosser Boulevard

Peter Overholtz addressed the Port St. Lucie City Council during the Aug. 11 public-to-be-heard period to seek more detailed analysis and action on recurring crashes on Rosser Boulevard.

Overholtz said a recent fatal crash occurred “in front of my house on Rosser Boulevard” and told council members that residents have nicknamed the roadway the “Rosser Raceway.” He said media reporting and his own neighborhood outreach show 280 accidents and three fatalities on the corridor over the past five years and that he had circulated a petition and submitted a traffic-study request to city staff and the city manager.

Overholtz asked staff to integrate several specific data elements into any traffic study: an accurate count of citations and accidents on Rosser Boulevard since 2020; a review of accidents and citations on cross streets connecting with Rosser Boulevard; the speed-trailer log showing dates the trailer was deployed on Rosser Boulevard; and an analysis of population increases in the Rosser area based on building permits. He said his background as a transportation company chief operating officer informed the list of data items he requested and provided the council and city manager with copies of his petition and materials.

Council response: The council heard the comment during the public-comment period; the transcript records Overholtz’s request and that he provided the city manager and council copies of his petition and data request. No formal motion or staff direction appears in the transcript entry; staff follow-up was not recorded in the meeting minutes provided.