One week after a Haverhill High School student was killed in a car crash, city councilors unanimously agreed to move forward with changes to the intersection where she lost her life.
Jordan Rankin, 17, was driving home on September 24 when she was killed in a two-vehicle crash at Liberty and Central Streets, just two minutes from her home.
The council will send four or five suggestions, primarily a four-way stop, to be explored by the mayor, police and Department of Public Works.
City Councilor Joe Bevilacqua told Boston 25 News the intersection, currently only a two-way stop, is dangerous. He asked to discuss changes at Tuesday night’s meeting.
“There really should be a four-way stop,” Bevilacqua said. “We should actually clear away the brush, so we have a clear line of sight. One thing we have to do as well is we should put a sign ahead of the stop sign advancing information that there will be a stop ahead.”
Mark Roope heard the crash from his home. His daughter went to school with Rankin.
“I would like to see rumble strips in the road to warn of the stop as they approach it, at least, whatever the state law requires for the minimum stopping distance, in-road reflectors that you see on the interstates,” Roope said.
Suzanne Xydias, who lives nearby, compared driving through the intersection to Russian Roulette, hitting the gas and hoping no one’s coming.
“It’s haunting when you have to drive by there every day,” Xydias said. “You think really it could’ve been anybody.”
Councilors held a moment of silence for Rankin before unanimously approving the motion.
Some changes will be immediate, but others will require traffic studies and a sign-off from other city leaders.
Some of the immediate safety measures, which were also discussed at a traffic and safety meeting Tuesday morning, include cutting back the brush and improved lighting.
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