River road intersection safety concerns continue after student accident
Two students’ cars collided, prompting a four car accident in a River Road intersection. The crash caused more discussions concerning the dangers of the intersection. Photo courtesy Aliya Tannenbaum.
November 27, 2016
Four cars containing six Whitman students on their way to school were involved in a car accident at the intersection of River Road and Pyle Road Nov. 17. Though the students involved sustained only minor injuries, two were taken to the hospital.
Three vehicles, two driven by students, were lined up in the left turn lane waiting to turn into the back entrance of Whitman. A third student driver crashed into the side of the last of the three vehicles which caused a chain reaction of crashes among the four cars.
Senior Ryan Ashy, with younger brother Christopher Ashy, were trying to merge into the left turn lane when they hit senior Alec Tanenbaum’s vehicle. The glare from the sun blinded Ryan and his brother, Ashy said.
“Right before I turned into the left lane, I started to lower my blinder and all of a sudden we smashed into the backside of Alec’s car,” Ryan said. “Neither me nor my brother saw him with the extreme glare through the windshield.”
Aliya Tanenbaum, Alec’s sister, was shocked when their vehicle was hit.
“Unexpectedly, a car just rammed into us from the side,” Tanenbaum said. “We were all making sure we were all okay.”
Aliya Tanenbaum was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and was diagnosed with a concussion, she said.
Junior Nora Marcus, who was involved in the crash, was also surprised when Ashy’s vehicle hit Tannenbaum’s.
“I really just don’t know how to explain it,” Marcus said. “It was all so sudden and shocking.”
The Whitman community is familiar with the dangers of the intersection. Its safety came under scrutiny by community members last year following a fatal accident involving a Whitman family.
“Evidence looms again that the intersection is dangerous for all, but especially for our students,” Goodwin said in an email to the Whitman community sent out shortly after the accident occurred.
The State Highway Association began installing overhead flashers in September in response to community concerns regarding the intersections safety to prevent future accidents.
“I don’t know how many accidents it will take for them to actually make a change,” Tanenbaum said.
Joe • Nov 28, 2016 at 4:24 pm
Traffic light would not prevent someone from rear ending someone else. If you want to do something to prevent accidents, bring back drivers ed to the school where kids receive significantly more hours of training than what’s currently required.