Early in the morning of September 25th, 2025, a fatal 2-vehicle crash occurred on Highland Avenue in West View, PA. Residents in the borough of West View utilize Highland Avenue to walk their dogs, stroll leisurely, run, or bike. Additionally, many children use it to get to Bronx Field to play. 

My family moved to West View 20 years ago. We live on Highland Ave and have seen way too many accidents over the years. Shortly after moving in, our own house was hit by a car. The house adjacent to us had a car roll over into their front yard. Years prior a car ran into the front bushes of the small church on the corner of Highland and Bronx Avenue. And in 2019, a middle schooler was hit by a car at the crosswalk at Highland and Jamaica Avenue on her way to the school bus.

Several times over the past 20 years, I have contacted our local and state representatives, PennDOT, and West View Borough. West View Borough and the West View Police Department have always been supportive of its residents and their safety. They have patrolled Highland Avenue endlessly to slow speeders. Residents like myself have attended council meetings asking for a stop sign or pedestrian crossing sign (at other intersections), and it gets done. The problem is Highland Avenue is a state road, so the Borough is limited in what they can do.

About 6 years ago, with the help of West View Borough and our state and local representatives, a survey was requested of PennDOT. The results did not deem there to be any necessary changes. Since then, the Highland Country Club became the Highland Estates, which added over 200 new homes and townhouses.

Drivers coming off of I-279 utilize Gass Road to Highland Avenue as an easy way to get to Perry Highway, yet they forget to heed the speed limit of 30 mph. The West View exit has regularly been a detour for drivers when construction is happening on I-279, as is the case right now, which means it sees large amounts of traffic. West View Borough installed a digital speed sign to try and slow down drivers. Over the past 4 months, over 6 accidents have occurred on Highland Avenue. In years past, PennDOT said that "someone needs to die before anything can happen." Tragically, here we are. 

If you are a West View resident, I urge you to sign this petition as well as attend our next council meeting. We need to show up in numbers for change. This loss of life will NOT be in vain.

Please join us on Wednesday, October 8th at 6:00 pm at the West View Borough Council Meeting to share your experiences living on Highland Avenue or any of the cross streets, as well as non-residents who drive on Highland regularly. West View Council is held at 441 Perry Highway on the same floor as the Magistrate's office. During the public comments, you will be able to speak for 3 minutes. A representative from the offices of Emily Kinkead and Lindsay Williams will also be in attendance during this council meeting.

Non-West View residents can sign this petition and are also welcome to come to the council meeting to show their support. 

Thank you! Carlene