Lexington Residents Demand Safer Delong Road After Surge in Crashes

TikTok videos spotlight dangerous conditions on winding Kentucky road

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Residents of Lexington, Kentucky's Delong Road are calling for major safety improvements after a dramatic increase in car accidents on the two-lane route. Local resident Renee Nimtz has documented the recurring incidents on her TikTok account, garnering hundreds of thousands of views and drawing attention to the community's fight for safer streets.

Why it matters

Delong Road has become a major safety concern for the Lexington community, with residents reporting frequent crashes, some resulting in serious injuries. The road's sharp curves and drop-offs along the sides have created hazardous conditions, prompting residents to advocate for substantive changes to improve safety.

The details

Delong Road, a five-mile stretch connecting key parts of Lexington, has seen at least 37 crashes since January 2025, according to state data. Residents like Nimtz often find themselves as first responders, providing first aid and pulling people from ditches. The city has implemented temporary fixes like adding gravel, but residents feel more substantial measures are needed, including increased signage, speed bumps, and guardrails. Nimtz is also concerned about preserving the historic farmland surrounding the road.

  • Delong Road has seen a dramatic increase in accidents over the past 13 years, since Renee Nimtz moved to the area.
  • At least 37 crashes have occurred on Delong Road since January 2025, according to state data.

The players

Renee Nimtz

A 13-year resident of Delong Road who has been documenting the recurring crashes on her TikTok account, @buildingblogs.

Nancy Albright

The Commissioner of Environmental Quality and Public Works for the city of Lexington, who has acknowledged the safety issues on Delong Road and stated the city is exploring ways to improve the temporary fixes.

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What they’re saying

“We're the ones that are first on scene, usually doing first aid, doing CPR, trying to make sure people are OK. We're pulling people out of ditches.”

— Renee Nimtz (newsy-today.com)

“The road was not milled down enough.”

— Renee Nimtz (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The city has stated it plans to fill gaps with asphalt and apply a high-friction surface treatment on Delong Road to improve the stability of the temporary fixes.

The takeaway

Delong Road's surge in car accidents has become a major safety concern for the Lexington community, prompting residents like Renee Nimtz to use social media to advocate for substantial safety improvements, including increased signage, speed bumps, and guardrails. This case highlights the power of local advocacy and the growing role of platforms like TikTok in driving change at the community level.