City Reassesses Sandy Intersection Safety After Recent Crash
In the wake of a tragic accident in Sandy, city officials are reevaluating safety measures at a dangerous intersection. Joshua Perry, aged 40, was fatally struck by an alleged drunk driver on January 15. His death has raised serious concerns from the community regarding pedestrian safety.
Community Outcry for Safety Improvements
The intersection at 11000 S. 1000 East has sparked significant public discourse. Residents, including Josh Karr, have initiated petitions advocating for enhanced safety features, including an emergency traffic signal. As of midweek, the petition had amassed nearly 800 signatures.
Karr expressed the community’s fears, stating, “It’s a really scary thing to see something happen a block away from your home.” City officials acknowledged these concerns. Ryan Kump, the public works director, noted the importance of community feedback during a recent city council meeting.
Details of the Incident
On January 15, Perry was crossing the intersection when he was struck by Zoe Blankenstein, 55. Police records indicate that Blankenstein was under the influence of alcohol at the time. Following the incident, Mayor Monica Zoltanski visited the scene to express her condolences and reiterate the city’s commitment to improving intersection safety.
Ongoing Investigations and Traffic Studies
The Sandy police continue to investigate the fatal accident. Interim Police Chief Jon Arnold revealed that the January 15 incident marked the 10th crash at this location in three years. Many of these accidents stemmed from stop-sign violations and improper lookout behaviors.
The city is poised to relaunch a traffic study to explore potential safety upgrades. Ideas include a roundabout or a four-way traffic signal. Kump emphasized the importance of updating the study with recent accident data. He aims to present new findings to the City Council within a couple of months.
Immediate Safety Measures
As the new traffic study unfolds, Sandy city officials are preparing to implement interim safety measures. Plans are in place to install LED stop signs or overhead flashers, with the goal of executing these improvements within the next month or two.
“We can advance a project sooner than 2030, regardless of which permanent option we oversee,” Kump stated.
- Community petition for traffic signals has gathered close to 800 signatures.
- Previous crashes have raised alarms about pedestrian safety at the intersection.
- Immediate measures like overhead flashers are expected in the near future.
The tragic loss of Joshua Perry has prompted a crucial reassessment of safety protocols at the Sandy intersection. The focus remains on enhancing pedestrian safety and preventing similar incidents in the future.
