A recently filed lawsuit claims that Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is at least partially responsible for a dangerous intersection that has claimed the lives of at least four people. The suit was brought by the families of four people who were killed in three separate car accidents at the intersection of Route 136 and Church Road near Somerset.
According to the allegations in the lawsuit, the grading and curves of Route 136 make the intersection especially dangerous because it is difficult for drivers to see opposing traffic. The intersection with Church Road, in particular, is made more dangerous because both lanes of traffic enter blind spots. The accident victims' families also claim that PennDOT knew of the dangers of this road because there had been many previous accidents as well as previous lawsuits and other claims.
The plaintiffs claim there have been more than 90 reportable accidents at the intersection over the last decade. Among those accidents are the three occurring in 2008 that eventually led to this lawsuit. The first occurred in June of 2008 when Harold Varner, of Claysville, was killed while attempting to make a left turn onto Church Road.
The second accident occurred in early December when Charles Stepanek, of Baldwin Borough, was killed when he was traveling east on 136 and was struck by a vehicle attempting to turn left on Church Road. The final accident occurred in late December when Beverly Dunch, of Burgettstown, was killed when her vehicle was struck while attempting to turn left onto Church road. Her husband, George, died several months later as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.
The lawsuit claims that PennDOT had known of the dangerous intersection since at least 1994, but did nothing to alleviate the problems. The wrongful death lawsuit alleges negligent design, construction and maintenance, and also alleges PennDOT failed to use appropriate traffic control devices.
In January of 2009, PennDOT finally installed four "No Left Turn" signs at the intersection.
Related Resources:
PennDOT sued over intersection (Observer-Reporter.com)