ASSUMPTION, Ill. (WAND) - State and local officials are working on a plan to make an Assumption intersection safer following two deadly crashes there in the past five years.
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), State Rep. Avery Bourne (IL-95), Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp, Assumption Mayor Derek Page, Assumption Police Chief Brian Wade, and Assumption Fire Chief Herb Palmer held a news conference Monday morning in Assumption to highlight the need for safety improvements at the US 51 & Leafland Street intersection.
"We are not telling them what the solution is, we are asking them to prioritize and invest dollars they have at the federal and state level here in Assumption," said Congressman Davis.
The second deadly crash in the past five years at the intersection was on July 12. It took the life of two teenagers, 15-year-old Keegan Virden and 16-year-old Connor Rowcliff.
Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp said on June 22 his department called Illinois Department of Transportation about taking a look at the intersection.
"We've responded to a lot of accidents there and we've told them you've got to look at it," he said.
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The first deadly crash was on October 24, 2018.
Concerned citizens have spoken up since the July 12 crash, calling for action to be taken to improve the intersection's safety.
The Illinois Department of Transportation provided a 10-year crash report from 2012-2022 for the intersection to Davis's office.
Prior to the most recent accident there had been 29 crashes with one being fatal.
"We know this isn't the first fatal crash at this intersection and we are calling today for road safety improvements and for attention at this intersection," said Rep. Bourne.
IDOT is currently reviewing this intersection to determine what improvements may be needed, both short term and long term.
Options being considered include a light or a J turn.
WAND News will continue to follow this story as decisions are made going forward.
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