Community expresses concerns about Boone County intersection where 2 people died
Community expresses concerns about intersection where two people died in Boone County
Community expresses concerns about intersection where two people died in Boone County
Community expresses concerns about intersection where two people died in Boone County
There's a lot of conversation about road safety in Boone County after two people died in a crash that ended with a dump truck slamming into a restaurant.
Neighbors are concerned with how dangerous the intersection is and want to see something done.
Four o'clock Tuesday afternoon, Boone County Sheriff Deputies say a 66-year-old driver turned from U.S. Route 42 into the path of a dump truck loaded with gravel. The truck driver tried to swerve out of the way but hit the SUV. The dump truck then barreled through the restaurant.
Sharon Zilliox arrived early for her shift at the restaurant when she saw glass everywhere.
"At first, I walked into the kitchen, and not knowing, thinking the wreck was in the intersection, and saw our dining room collapsed on the floor," Zilliox said.
The truck driver was not injured. The SUV driver was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. Passengers 91-year-old Eva Mulberry and 89-year-old Betty Hillard were killed.
"How many people have to get hurt or die before someone can change something," Boone County Commissioner Jesse Brewer said.
Since April of 2020, there have been 25 crashes at the intersection where Tuesday's fatal crash took place, according to the Boone County Sheriff's Office.
"You shouldn't have to gamble with your life driving on some of these roads. Sometimes it feels like that," Brewer said.
Brewer wants to see something done. A transportation meeting later this month will address traffic safety concerns.
"This intersection has a long history, unfortunately. This is not the first fatality that I know of at this intersection, and one's too many," Brewer said.
Brewer says out of 120 counties in Kentucky, Boone County ranks number six for serious accidents. It's a statistic he wants to reverse before someone else loses their life on the road.