On a tragic day, February 21st, 2025, my life was forever changed. My husband, only 38 years old, and three young women were taken from this world far too soon due to a horrific accident. On that fateful night, the driver of a Toyota failed to heed the stop sign at the treacherous intersection of Highway 54 and County Road C in Vernon County, MO. I, too, barely survived, suffering critical injuries for which I am still recovering, and my daughters, who were in the backseat, endured minor physical wounds but major emotional scars.

According to traffic reports and local authorities, this intersection is notoriously dangerous, with high rates of accidents and near-misses. Missouri Department of Transportation statistics show that intersections without sufficient warning signals have a significantly higher chance of serious accidents. Flashing lights at such intersections have been proven to reduce accidents by up to 35%, saving countless lives.

Vernon County urgently needs preventative measures like flashing lights at this intersection to avert more tragedies. Lives are invaluable, and with just a simple but effective solution, we can ensure the safety of countless families negotiating this deadly crossroads.

Let's honor the memories of the loved ones we’ve lost by taking action now. Please join me in urging our local authorities to approve and install flashing lights at the intersection of Highway 54 and County Road C. Together, we can work to prevent future accidents and make our community roads safer.

Sign this petition to support the installation of flashing lights at this hazardous intersection and save lives before another family suffers such an unbearable loss.