State should fix intersection -- now
On Monday, one of my daughter Melanie's friends and classmates was killed in an accident at the intersection of Meredith Road and Route 38 in Virgil Township of Kane County.
This is the same intersection where Melanie and her friend Mitchell Westerlin were struck head-on on July 14, resulting in the eventual death of the passenger of the other vehicle. On Nov. 9, a young woman was killed there as well. That makes three deaths since July!
Initial reports indicated that the intersection itself did not appear to be a factor in this latest accident. I disagree. It is a very dangerous intersection with cars traveling at high speeds coming down a railroad overpass from the east and turning around sharp curve from the west. In addition, Meredith Road crosses Route 38 at an oblique angle, making the distance to cross deceiving. There is currently only a stop sign for those on Meredith Road.
The state is supposedly scheduled to install a traffic signal in 2009 when "funds are available". How many more people will have died by then? Hundreds of school buses pass through the intersection each week as Meredith Road houses the middle school as well as the high school. Will it take an entire busload of children to be hurt before something is done?
I'm asking you to please e-mail our local legislators -- State Sen. Chris Lauzen at admin@lauzen.com and State Rep. Patricia Lindner at dstrct65@aol.com, urging them to gather data and revisit the timetable for the traffic signal. A lower speed limit around that intersection should be investigated as well.
Finally, my family's prayers go out to the family of Jenny Flaherty. I can't imagine their pain. Let's hope that something will be done to prevent any more loss and heartache.
Heather Carlson
Elburn