NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — There are calls for action Wednesday to make a Luzerne County intersection safer. This after two deadly crashes in the same area in the past year. The most recent fatal crash took place Monday night.
Near the intersection of West Main Street and Alden Road, a memorial has been set up for the elderly woman who was killed there Monday night.
People who live and drive through there as well as local officials are asking the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to study this area to see what, if anything, can be done to make it safer.
"It makes me a little squeamish because again it's something that probably could have been prevented," said Broadway Garage Owner Joe Waiter.
Waiter is talking about the deadly crash Monday night at the intersection of West Main Street and Alden Road.
A 71-year-old woman was killed when her car and a jeep collided.
A crash at the same intersection less than a year ago also claimed a life.
"I think the fact that two lives were lost within the last year because of that intersection deserves some attention from local authorities and PennDOT," Waiter continued.
Waiter has been in business here for some 45 years.
He says he has seen many deadly crashes and other close calls. What does he think should be done?
"The first thing that has to be done: The speed limit has to be lowered to at least 25. I mean 35 miles per hour coming down that hill, very seldom do people go the speed limit. Lower the speed limit, and try to clear the corner, and make sure there are no signs in the way. Make sure there are no bushes in the way, nothing in the way so people can see right and left," Waiter explained.
Nanticoke Police Chief Michael Roke says he sent a request to PennDOT Tuesday to take a look at the intersection.
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"We have contacted PennDOT. We're going to try and work with them to see how we can get that intersection to mitigate the crash situation," Chief Roke stated.
"Is speed a factor in this area?" 28/22 News I-Team Reporter Andy Mehalshick asked.
"It certainly is. That's one of the factors, but there are certainly other ones that we would have to address with PennDOT. I just don't want to go to one specific thing because there are multiple things at that intersection that causes car crashes," Chief Roke explained.
A PennDOT spokesperson told the I-Team the following:
When the request is received, we will review the area to see what, if any additional safety measures can be taken.
PennDOT Spokesperson Jessica Ruddy
28/2 News also spoke with Newport Township officials who say they too will reach out to PennDOT and request it takes a look at this intersection.
