LA PLACE, Ill. (WCIA) — Residents in the vicinity are highlighting concerns about a notorious Piatt County intersection, advocating for safety improvements following a fatal crash on Wednesday.
Others are opposed to making any shifts to the current flow of traffic.
The collision involved two semi-trucks at the intersection of U.S. Route 36 and Illinois Route 32 near La Place, resulting in one fatality and another person being injured. Locals residing within a mile of this junction claim it’s a frequent site for accidents.
“I left in the truck, going back to Atwood to get some gas for my truck,” witness Daniel Cole said. “And I look to the west.”
Cole recounted that the scene was startling. According to State Police, a truck moving north on Route 32 entered the intersection, while another truck heading west on Route 36 collided with the northbound truck’s trailer.
“It was sad.,” Cole said. “Very sad.”
The drivers were transported to the hospital, where the westbound driver succumbed to injuries and the northbound driver survived but was injured. The State Police have not provided additional details on their condition.
“Do you want to die at the intersection?” Cole asked. “It’s not right. They need to do something about it.”
Cole, whose home is less than a quarter mile from the intersection, noted that crashes occur there approximately monthly, though most are less severe.
“I’d say put a stoplight with cameras,” Cole said. “Get the license plate and get them.”
But not everyone agrees with making changes.
Linda Henkel, familiar with the intersection from personal experience, together with her husband, was involved in an accident there previously. She expressed that converting it to a four-way stop or installing a traffic light might do more harm than good.
Henkel said rumble strips and lights for the stop sign are in place now –people wouldn’t expect those on country roads — and people are so used to the way it is now they may just blow through new stop signs.
Regardless of the solution, Cole has a message for farmers in the area.
“Please be careful,” he said. “It’s dangerous out here.”
Henkel also said that she doesn’t think much more could be added to make the area safe, with rumble strips and lights for signs already in place. But she does want everyone to slow down, pay attention and be safe on the road.
