Derrick Clark, a local advocate for safe intersections on the U.S 50 Bypass, especially at SR 257, appeared before the Commissioners Tuesday morning to request more patrols along the U.S. 50 corridor on Washington’s south side. Clark’s appearance was made more poignant by the deaths of two local women at the intersection of SR 57 and US 50 Monday night.
Clark told the Commissioners that since the construction of the By-Pass, 13 fatalities had occurred at the 257 intersection and there have been at least 4 fatalities at the 50/57 intersection. Daviess County Sheriff Jerry Harbstreit told the Commissioners that U.S. 50 is rated as one of the State’s most dangerous highways. Harbstreit also told the Commissioners that while the eastern section of US 50 is inside Washington’s city limits the two highway intersections are part of the County’s jurisdiction.
Clark noted that the By-Pass had become a “racetrack” and said a police presence would help change driving habits. Harbstreit noted that there were only three deputies on road duty on the second and third shifts. The Commissioners directed the Sheriff to look into solutions for the problem , including expanding resources, and to report back in January.