By Kyron Dunae and Shelby Lloyd

Students at Quincy University are urging the town of Quincy to create a four-way stop sign at the 20th St. and Chestnut St. intersection to diminish the amount of crashes and accidents.

On Nov. 11, 2024, around 8:15 p.m., a family who resided near the intersection had their pet dog run out on Chestnut St. where a car hit the dog and drove away.

The driver was heading west on Chestnut, leading many people to believe that a four-way stop could’ve prevented this incident from happening. A four-way stop could help keep drivers focused and paying attention during the gap between the intersection and the upcoming four-way stop that’s more west. 

MaryGrace Cummings, a sophomore at Quincy University, is a witness to that night. She was going on a walk when she saw the dog go in the road and get hit by the incoming car. Cummings stayed very calm, checking on the dog before the family saw it, but realized that the dog had unfortunately passed away. 

“A four-way stop could’ve, I think, prevented it probably; just because you have to slow down after a four-way stop, and I think that the driver would’ve been a little more cautious,” Cummings said.

Cummings was walking with her friend, Rebecca Ritter, a junior at Quincy University. Ritter was also a witness that night as she was walking her pet dog around campus. She describes the incident as devastating as she also owns a dog.

“Those dogs were crossing the road very slowly, they didn’t just bolt on the road in front of the car; the car was kind of flying in my opinion,” Ritter said.

There have been past accidents that have occurred at the intersection as well. At the stop sign on 20th that intersects with Chestnut, parallel parking spots obstruct the view of the road to the right and left, making it unclear whether cars are coming or not.

Chloe Drago, a sophomore at Quincy University, had a car accident last year at that intersection. She had come to a full stop at the stop sign on 20th, and looked both ways ultimately seeing no cars coming, yet, the parking spots on the side of the street obstructed her view.

She explains that a car was going double the speed limit, and Drago was t-boned on her driver’s side by the other incoming vehicle. Drago’s car was totaled, and her injuries consisted of pulled neck muscles, a severe concussion, and some bruising on her face.

“A four-way stop would stop people from getting in crashes like mine, and with the people parking illegally, it is also like a second buffer for people who can’t see cars coming and makes sure people can’t speed on that road,” Drago said.

A petition was created to encourage the city to make a four-way stop sign due to recent and past accidents that have happened. Seventy students, faculty and staff have signed this petition, filling up three papers worth of signatures and showing their spupport following these instances.

The petition has raised more awareness about these accidents that have happened. The petition will be forwarded to the city of Quincy hoping action will be taken. Many students are highly encouraged that a four-way stop could be placed at the intersection of 20th St. and Chestnut St. to prevent fatal accidents and to keep people, and pets, safe.