Deadly Bethesda Intersection Topic Of Public Meeting

BETHESDA, MD — The Maryland State Highway Administration will hold an informational meeting Thursday on roadway improvements to an intersection in Bethesda where three people died in a car crash in February 2016.

A Walt Whitman senior and his parents died at the intersection of River Road and Braeburn Parkway on Feb. 27, 2016. Since the crash, community members have pressured the state for safety enhancements to the intersection that serves as a back entrance to the Whitman parking lot.

MDOT SHA completed an intersection study along MD 190 between Braeburn Parkway and Pyle Road following the deadly crash. The study, which will be the topic of Thursday's meeting, focused on improving traffic and pedestrian safety and operations.

Display areas will include renderings of the proposed improvements and MDOT SHA representatives will be available to answer project related questions. There will be no formal presentation.

The open house will be held from 7-9 p.m. in the cafeteria of Walt Whitman High School at 7100 Whittier Blvd. You may arrive at any time during meeting hours and walk through the display area at your own pace, officials said.

According to police, a BMW traveling west on River Road driven by Ogulcan Atakoglu, 21, of Potomac, struck the De Macedo family's Chevrolet Volt as it attempted to turn left onto Pyle Road. Otakoglu was driving 30 mph over the speed limit at the time of the crash. He was traveling at 75 mph at that point, but had earlier been speeding at 115 mph on the road, Montgomery County Police said.

The victims were identified as Michael Buarque De Macedo, 52; his wife, Alessandra M. Buarque De Macedo, 53; and their son, Thomas Michael Buarque De Macedo, 18, a Whitman senior.

Their daughter, Helena Buarque De Macedo, 15 at the time, was seriously injured in the accident, but has returned to school.

Atakoglu pleaded guilty in August to three counts of manslaughter by vehicle and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

See Related:

• Deadly Bethesda Intersection Gains Flashing Caution Lights
• Deadly River Road Intersection: Politicians Seek Answers
  
• Site of River Road Crash That Killed Family Undergoing Changes
• Driver Going 115 MPH in River Road Crash Sentenced for 3 Deaths

Melody Lee created a petition on Change.org two days after the fatal wreck, demanding the Maryland State Highway Administration install traffic signals at the intersection of River Road and Pyle Road.

"This has not been the first fatal collision at this intersection. For years, the Bannockburn and Whitman communities have asked the Maryland State Highway Administration to install traffic signals at this dangerous intersection," Lee said in her petition. "Many students must cross or turn into this intersection in order to enter Walt Whitman High School's parking lots. Installing traffic signals would make the intersection safer for nearby residents, students, teachers, and drivers alike."

SHA added a warning system that flashes yellow caution lights when vehicles turn left from River Road onto Braeburn Parkway.

Residents are still pushing for the installation of traffic signals at the River Road intersection and a new back entrance to the school's parking lot.

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