Group requires extra security enhancements 2 months after lethal college van crash

DRAVOSBURG, Pa. (KDKA) — Two months after the demise of Serra Catholic highschool pupil Samantha Kalkbrenner, individuals who reside and work in Dravosburg are questioning what took so lengthy on the subject of the security enhancements.

Ambulances responded to a crash alongside Richland Avenue at Fifth Road on Tuesday nearly 100 toes away from the spot the place a driver slammed into Kalkbrenner’s college van.

Group members instructed KDKA-TV that they are nonetheless ready on a site visitors gentle to attempt to decelerate drivers who pace alongside Richland Avenue.

State Senator Jim Brewster mentioned that it has been accelerated, and he hopes the brand new gentle will get put in inside “months and never two to a few years.”

It did not take quite a lot of minutes Tuesday to look at driver after driver ignore the brand new signal posted on Third Road at Richland Avenue. It reads “all site visitors should flip proper,” however KDKA-TV watched many drivers making the unlawful left flip.

“By the point you get, even in case you’re midway out within the highway, you are already there,” mentioned Linda Lacek, a group member.

Lacek mentioned that she hears the crashes and the horn honking day by day.

“I used to be within the again doing stock and I heard crush, like a cranking sound,” mentioned Lacek.

She heard the crash Tuesday that despatched one particular person to the hospital. She’s heard of the plans to put in the site visitors gentle and noticed the brand new signage however needs to know why there is not a police officer pulling speeders over alongside the stretch.

“You may hear typically the tires squealing as a result of they’re racing one another,” she mentioned. “It is loopy right here. It is not protected.”

KDKA-TV took her inquiries to Brewster.

“The pace restrict is 40 miles per hour and other people simply do not concentrate. There aren’t any penalties anymore,” he mentioned.

KDKA-TV requested Brewster about McKeesport police pulling individuals over or utilizing radar weapons.

“Each group needs radar, and we’re attempting to get that handed in Harrisburg,” he mentioned.

When requested why McKeesport police do not have already got radar weapons, Brewster mentioned this:

“It has been a protracted debate. I have been within the Senate for 13 years and we have been debating it for the reason that day I obtained there.”

He added, “In the end, we will have to begin pulling individuals over.”