'Kitchen sink' approach continues after latest Route 60 fatality
Published Monday, June 17, 2024 at 4:13 p.m.
Virginia State Police (VSP) is urging drivers to slow down and take precautions following a recent crash on Route 60. One person was killed in a traffic accident at an intersection in Buckingham County on Sunday.
State Police responded to the intersection of Route 60 and Route 632 on Sunday, June 16th at approximately 1:53 p.m.
“A 2015 Chevrolet Silverado was heading east on Route 60 when it failed to avoid a 2012 Honda Civic,” said Matthew Demline, public information manager for VSP. Demline said the driver of the Civic ran a stop sign on Route 632. The Silverado then struck the driver's side of the Civic.
The driver of the Civic, Monica L. McIndoe, 60, of Fredericksburg, died at the scene. She was wearing her seat belt. The driver of the Silverado was not injured.
Demlein said the accident remains under investigation.
Route 60 crash is latest in a series of accidents
This is just the latest in a number of accidents that have occurred in Buckingham County over the past few months, and all of them have occurred at the same intersection of Route 60 and Route 632. To be clear, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) officials say they are working on some solutions, but at the same time, officials from multiple agencies say there's nothing they can do if someone tries to run a stop sign.
Last year, VDOT installed signs to warn people approaching the intersection, and data showed it was fine as long as people were paying attention. Last year's crash on Route 60 involved a resident at the wheel who admitted to being distracted. The other involved a teenage driver who wasn't concentrating on the road.
This month, VDOT began a “everything and anything” project at that intersection, starting with acquiring the driveway and starting to develop the right-hand shoulder on both approaches to Route 60. The goal here is to ensure people never again have to worry about tree branches blocking their view.
The second step was to install stop signs at all approaches, including the one ignored in Sunday's accident. These signs are oversized, measuring 48 x 48. Signs were also installed near the shoulder of Route 632.
Phase 3 just began last week, when VDOT workers Transverse rumble strips shall be provided on each approach road.
