Site of three auto fatalities now has four-way stop

An intersection at Route 38 and Meredith Road in Virgil Township that has claimed three lives in car accidents over the past six months now has a four-way stop.

The intersection is near Kaneland High School.

The signs were installed Tuesday by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Kane County Board member Jan Carlson said the signs would increase safety at the intersection until a stop light could be installed.

"We need all the help we can get there," he said. "Hopefully, we can reduce the number of accidents."

IDOT officials have said the intersection has enough traffic to warrant a stoplight, but the traffic device is not budgeted for next year.

Meredith Road has always had stop signs, but after an accident there this summer, flashing yellow lights were installed along Route 38.

Kane County officials asked the state to expedite any traffic upgrades at the intersection in September.

St. Charles police officer Vaughn Olson died after a July accident at the intersection. Two Kaneland graduates were seriously injured in that accident.

Carrie E. Hilliker, an 18-year-old from downstate Bradley, was killed after her car was struck at the intersection in November.

And earlier this month, Kaneland graduate Jennifer Flaherty, 19, died in a one-car crash near the intersection.

Some of the people involved in those accidents and their relatives had lobbied for a safer intersection.

• Daily Herald staff writer Lisa Smith contributed to this story.