Neighbors pushing for change after 4th fatal crash at Westerlo intersection

WESTERLO, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- In the last 18 years, there have been nearly 30 crashes at the same intersection in Westerlo. The most recent fatal crash happened there last week and has now sparked a larger conversation among community members who want to see a change.

“I live just up the road and this corner looks harmless but it isn’t," said Robert Meringolo.

Hundreds of cars drive through the intersection of 401 and 404 in Westerlo daily. Leanne and John McDonald have lived near this spot for nearly 20 years. The intersection has a stop sign but many neighbors said it is difficult to see, especially for people who are not familiar with the area.

“I’ve had many occasions at this intersection where you can watch people in front of you just go right through the stop sign. That's a common occurrence, probably every resident has witnessed," said Leanne McDonald.

One Westerlo resident, who didn't want to be named, agreed. She said about 10 years ago her brother got into a bad accident at this intersection where he suffered minor injuries. Luckily, he was okay but the resident said driving near this intersection still scares her.

“My kids travel this road every single day for work and I've already had an experience with one of my children in a bad car accident and that is nothing I want to walk up on again."

Another crash happened here on Monday, June 30 around 10:38 a.m., when an SUV traveling westbound on County Route 404 and a tractor trailer traveling northbound on County Route 401 crashed into each other. According to Albany County Sheriff's Office, the SUV was carrying six people including three children and three adults. The passenger of the SUV was pronounced dead on the scene.

“I was on my way home a few days after the accident," said Leanne McDonald. "And I noticed a group of people kind of rummaging through where the accident had occurred.”'

That's when Leanne said something inside her told her to turn around and see if those people needed help. At the crash site, she met the mother of the person who died in last Monday's crash. Leanne said she was there looking for the person's ID in the debris.

“I helped, I still have the blood on my shoes to show that I helped," said Leanne. "We did not find the ID but when we were done the mother asked me if there was anything I could do to help make this intersection safer and I told her that I really didn't know but I would keep my promise that I would try.”

Which is exactly what Leanne is working to do now. Leanne started a petition last week to enact a change at this intersection and prevent future crashes. According to the town of Westerlo, the population is about 3,600. So far Leanne's petition has over 1,500 signatures --- which is nearly half the town's population.

Plus, this isn't the only crash that has happened here in recent years. Leanne obtained records from the town that state there have been just under 30 crashes at this intersection since 2007 -- 12 of them had serious injuries and four of them were fatal.

Leanne, John, Robert and hundreds of other neighbors that they've spoken with are advocating for a traffic device to be installed to make people more aware of the intersection. The main device they think would work would be a blinking light, however they plan to leave it up to the traffic engineers to find out the best solution.

“This could save, you know, lives. A couple this year, 12, 10, however many in the next few years," said John. "We’re now in 2025. Why isn’t something getting done?"

"I just feel like its not just me, there's a lot of people that travel this road on the daily and I'm sure a lot of people's children, mothers, sisters, brothers and I'm sure its not just me who wonders everyday," said the Westerlo resident who didn't want to be named.

Leanne said as a mother herself, she had to step in when she learned of the tragedy.

"Feeling her pain and her hurt as she hugged me and sobbed, you feel an immediate connection and you just want to help as mother," said Leanne.

Leanne will be holding a citizens meeting in the next few days or weeks to discuss more. For more information on the meeting, how you can get involved and the petition, visit the site here.