CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Kanawha County Delegate Dana Ferrell is calling for an immediate review of highway safety measures following what he described as three incidents in five days involving vehicles going over or nearly going over barriers.
Ferrell issued the statement after a deadly crash Friday night near the Interstate 64 and Interstate 77 interchange in Charleston. Four people were killed after a vehicle went off the highway near Pennsylvania Avenue.
“The third incident in five days involving the barriers and vehicles going over or nearly going over,” Ferrell said. “The first was last Sunday night that my own daughter was a passenger on the Fort Hill Bridge.”
Ferrell said the recent incidents show that the situation warrants immediate attention.
“Clearly the situation needs an immediate review,” Ferrell said.
Ferrell, who serves on the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Transportation, said he plans to discuss possible safety measures with the appropriate authorities.
In his statement, Ferrell raised several possibilities for consideration, including rumble strips, stronger retaining walls, flashing warning lights and changes to targeted speed areas. He also questioned whether on- and off-ramp procedures should be redesigned at Fort Hill, Virginia Street, Washington Street and Spring Street.
Ferrell additionally raised the possibility of 72-hour recordings from existing West Virginia Department of Transportation cameras in the area, specifying that he was not referring to FLOCK cameras.
The delegate said the issue is also personal for his family. He said his daughter and her boyfriend were involved in an incident on the Fort Hill Bridge last Sunday night after their vehicle was struck by a hit-and-run driver.
“I know how alarmed my wife and I were last Sunday night when we got the call and report that my daughter and her boyfriend’s truck was hanging over the barrier at one point,” Ferrell said. “Their vehicle was bumped out of control by a hit and run driver. Fortunately, they came out of it with only scrapes and bruises.”
Ferrell also expressed sympathy for those affected by the recent incidents.
“My heart goes out to the loved ones involved in each of the incidents this week and before,” Ferrell said.
Ferrell said he plans to release an additional statement on the issue this week.
