A Sylvan Lake woman is pleading for traffic lights to be erected immediately at the intersection of Hwys 781 and 11 after two friends were killed in a crash at the high-collision site last weekend.
Jennifer Fraser said she’s among a growing number of residents who are frustrated that the busy intersection may not get traffic lights because the Town of Sylvan Lake and Alberta Transportation may look at closing that turnoff leading into town instead.
She believes that if lights were installed there years ago, her friends would be alive.
“A set of lights would not only be the safest but the fastest,” Fraser said on Thursday.
On Saturday at about 9 p.m., Wade Scott Arnold, 35, and Dale Ernest Meckler, 47, both of Sylvan Lake, died at the scene after the Hwy 11 eastbound car they were in turned north (left) onto Hwy 781 and into the path of a five-ton truck.
Arnold’s fiance, who was driving the car, suffered various injuries and remains in the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
Fraser was shocked to find out on Sunday morning that her friends were dead. The sound of the crash was so loud that a neighbour thought she had heard gunshots, Fraser said.
Fraser grew up with Arnold’s younger brothers and she knew Meckler, who played in a rock band called Slackjaw. Both were easygoing, fun-loving, kindhearted individuals who “flew by the seat of their pants.” Arnold loved music as well and was a singer.
“In a town the size of Sylvan Lake, any death impacts you,” said Fraser. “We’re such a close-knit community.”
She wonders how many others will have to die before something is done.
Less than eight weeks earlier, Benalto area resident Harvey Dussault, 55, died at the intersection when his westbound motorcycle struck an eastbound car turning north on Hwy 781.
Alberta Transportation ordered a traffic engineer’s report following Dussault’s death.
Fraser said she’s heard that the province and town are considering closing the turnoff on Hwy 11 so people can’t drive onto 50th Street into town. Closing this road will have a negative impact on businesses in the area, she said.
Fraser said that half of Sylvan Lake, including people who live in Pierview and Beacon Hill neighbourhoods, use that road. Instead, drivers will have to cross roads where schools are located, just so they can get out of town.
“So your idea is to make half the residents in Sylvan Lake drive into already extremely busy roads, in the centre of the town, from what we foresee to be even more danger to all involved (including children)?” said Fraser in a letter that may be forwarded to the town. The letter was written by her and Arnold’s friends Linda Gardner and Char Chase. “All because the lights cost too much?”
Fraser said she’d like to start a petition to fight for the lights.
Town leaders were meeting with Alberta Transportation officials in Calgary this week to discuss options. Sylvan Lake Mayor Susan Samson said earlier this week that she hoped to have some news next week.
Meanwhile, friends and family will gather to celebrate Arnold’s life today at 2:30 p.m. at Sylvan Lake’s Alliance Community Church. A memorial for Meckler will go tonight at the Hazzard County Bar and Grill at 46th Street, with a performance by Slackjaw at about 9 p.m.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com
— copyright Red Deer Advocate