On behalf of the students, families, and community members of Clinton, Montezuma, and the Riverton Parke school community, we respectfully demand that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), our state legislators, and Governor Mike Braun take immediate action to install guardrails on State Road 163 between Clinton and Lyford, Indiana.
On a stretch of road that serves as the only direct route between Clinton and Riverton Parke High School in Montezuma, a young man lost his life. Chase Edward Bennett, a student, a son, a friend — was taken from us in a crash that may have been survivable had guardrails been present at this site. The absence of a guardrail allowed the vehicle to enter a ravine, and the secondary impact with trees proved fatal.
INDOT has reviewed this site and declined to install guardrails, citing limited crash history. We respectfully but firmly reject that reasoning. We should not have to bury more of our children before this road is made safe. INDOT has also acknowledged that the existing shoulders on SR 163 do not meet current FHWA/INDOT design standards — meaning this road is already out of compliance. Our community cannot wait for a future reconstruction with no set timeline.
SR 163 is not an optional route. It is the road our children take to school every single day.
We, the undersigned, call on INDOT, Indiana state legislators, and Governor Mike Braun to:
 1. Immediately reassess the guardrail installation site on SR 163 between Clinton and Lyford
 2. Prioritize this location for emergency safety improvements given the known hazard — a ravine with no barrier protection
 3. Accelerate the reconstruction timeline for SR 163 to bring it into compliance with current FHWA/INDOT design standards
 4. Meet with community members and Riverton Parke families to hear concerns directly
Chase deserved to make it to school and back home safely. So does every student who travels this road today.
Sign this petition in memory of Chase Edward Bennett.