Jason Dodson is tired of responding to high-speed crashes on Sparta Highway at its intersection with Old Rock Island Road.
Dodson has been trying for years to get a flashing caution light placed at that intersection, but his efforts have been fruitless. In the wake of Wednesday’s crash that claimed two more lives, Dodson is renewing his push.
“How many people have to die there before something is done?” asked Dodson, the 7th District constable who serves the Rock Island area. “I can’t tell you how many wrecks I’ve worked at that very same intersection. They’re all bad wrecks.”
Dodson says he would like a flashing caution light to be placed at the intersection, which is the one in front of Dollar General. He says his proposed light would be similar to one closer to McMinnville at the intersection of Sparta Highway and Highway 30 heading to Spencer.
“If motorists see a flashing light, I think it would make them more aware of the intersection,” said Dodson. “Would it help? I can’t say for sure, but I know it wouldn’t hurt.”
Dodson says wrecks consistently occur at that intersection. Because the speed limit is 65 mph on that stretch of Sparta Highway, the collisions are usually violent.
Dodson remembers when a church van with two women and 12 children aboard was involved in a crash at that intersection. There were no fatalities, but he says the church van flipped and provided a frightening scene.
“I’ve been trying for this caution light for four years and there’s been no action,” said Dodson. “I’ve tried contacting state officials and I never hear anything back.”