Repeating Accidents on Route 42
Save Email Print
Updated: 11:36 AM Nov 29, 2007
Repeating Accidents on Route 42
Augusta County
Police say it's not the first time there's been an accident on this particular Valley road.
Posted: 6:52 PM Nov 28, 2007
Reporter: Shane Symolon
Email Address: ssymolon@whsv.com
width:200 and height: 142 and picwidth: 200 and pciheight: 142
Font Size:

Police have charged 33-year-old Agustin Alcantar Garcia with vehicular manslaughter after police say his pickup swerved into an oncoming lane hitting a van head on.

Police say the wreck Wednesday morning on Route 42 near the Augusta County line sent all survivors to the hospital. They say it's not the first time there's been an accident on this road.

"I heard a loud crash, and when we came out we saw the two vehicles in the road," says area resident Julie Reedy.

She says she's all too familiar with the sound of grinding metal.

"There's been a wreck here before, so it's not a sound you forget," says Reedy.

She woke up to see what she says is the third big wreck she's seen in the last two years. This one claimed a life. Reedy says something needs to be done about the road.

"I think it's the speed and the turn here at the house. They come around and expect the turn to be not as quite as sharp as it is," says Reedy.

VDOT manager Timmy Fitzgerald says the section of the road has been a problem for a while.

"I understand it's not the first time they had an accident on this road and I think there's been a couple different accidents there in this specific area and a curve leading into the area," says Fitzgerald.

Now VDOT will be checking the road to see what can be fixed, whether it's changing signs in the area or actually changing the way the curve is shaped.

"Anytime we have a fatality in an accident, we go out and do a review of the road to make sure we have up the right warning devices, the curve signs, and things of that nature and also to look at the road itself, to make sure it's in good shape and that the road was not part of the accident," says Fitzgerald.

But even with signs and reshaping roads, Fitzgerald says they can't stop every accident.

"A lot of times, there's only so much we can do to a road, and we make it as safe as we can make it. However, we do get to a time when that's all we can do," says Fitzgerald.

If VDOT says a major change needs to happen to the curve, it can be a lengthy process because they'll need funding and approval from the Augusta County board of supervisors before anything can be done.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Frances Location: Harrisonburg on Dec 12, 2007 at 09:40 AM

tragedies like this happen every day. I am working with the family that was victim in this wreck and have been amazed at how the community has really helped out. Hopefully each of us will help out others when we hear stories like this.
Posted by: Jim Jr. Location: Madison VA on Dec 3, 2007 at 01:16 PM

If the illegal hadn't been driving drunk (an activity which is considered to be very macho in Mexico), that would have helped prevent the accident also. And, here's a novel idea, how about if he had been deported before this happened, or never crossed our border illegally in the first place?
Posted by: Charlea Location: Bridgewater on Nov 28, 2007 at 07:23 PM

This is yet another tragic accident that could have been prevented.. We live on Rt. 42.. and the speed which most vehicles travel at is an accident in the making.. as soon as people get to the bridge going south on 42 in Bwater they are already flying.. we hear horns, tires making horrible sounds every day.. people need to slow done and quit putting other peoples lives at risk.. we are so sorry for the families that were effected by this accident.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
National AP Video