I am writing in regard to Daniel Stewart, a young man who was killed in the motorcycle/car accident that happened on a clear and sunny day at the intersection of Highway 47 (also known as Tualatin Valley Highway) and Maple street in Forest Grove, OR on Sunday, July 12, 2020.

There were no visual obstructions and according to the criminal investigation, this accident was extremely preventable. Highway 47 is a dangerous two-lane highway which opens into a third turn lane coming to the entrance of Maple Avenue going left (Northeast) or right (Southwest) depending on which way the driver is on the perpendicular road. It was at the intersection of Highway 47 and Maple Street that Daniel was hit and killed due to the injuries suffered as a result of this vehicular traffic accident.

The big issue is that this intersection has absolutely NO yield or stop signs that are at eye level (only the yield arrow on the ground), nor flashing red or yellow lights (or even full stoplights for that matter.) There have also been other fatalities and near fatalities at this intersection for the past several years. When does Oregon believe that too many fatalities will be enough to start putting in the work to lessen it? Because in all sense of the word, this area is dangerous to even the safest drivers – as Daniel was.

There have been several accidents on this highway and looking up the highway’s structure within the confines of Forest Grove, there is only ONE point where there are legitimate traffic signs, and that doesn’t occur until Highway 47 connects with Pacific Avenue. The fact that Forest Grove has not updated this intersection prior to other accidents is disturbing. There have been numerous articles to the local newspapers, which I would hope that you’ve been aware of including the fact that this area has been under study for the past seven years since 2013. Multiple times we, as both residents and visitors, have written to the newspapers to get things changed. We are scared to drive around this area. When someone is moving out to start a new life and they are killed before it really gets started because of the state’s lack of care of its citizens, that shows quite a bit of fault on the leaders of Oregon and Portland.

I am asking that you look back at the safety of this intersection where Daniel was killed. To be good stewards of this town and suburb of Portland, you owe it to all of us who ride motor vehicles to make sure that there is adequate signage (of which most certainly there is not), and easy driving for everyone. A roundabout is ideal and NECESSARY for this intersection now if you want to save the lives of those who still live there, those who will eventually move into the area, and our children! This doesn’t require a longer “study”. This requires action to be taken NOW. One death is too many.