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Greene Co. Commissioner Considers Lower Speed Limits

Last updated on Monday, January 16, 2012

(BLOOMFIELD) - A double fatality crash in Greene County on Jan. 3rd, has prompted county officials to wonder if speed limits on county roads need to be lowered.

The accident at the intersection of Olds Lyons Road and 1025 West, west of Lyons, killed 23-year-old James Allen and 45-year-old Susan Olson, of Jasonville.

Olson's SUV crossed the center line and hit Allen's car head-on. The accident also injured Allen's wife Ashley and their two small children. They are home and now face months of recovery.

Toxicology tests ordered by Greene County Coroner Sherry Wilson on the two deceased drivers have not been received back from the Indiana State Police Lab. It could take another two weeks for those results.

The wreck has prompted county officials to wonder if the speed limit on this narrow-county road needs reduced. The speed limit, on this road and others in the county, is 55 miles per hour since these roads do not have a specific speed limit posted. Police have not determined if speed was a contributing factor in the fatal crash. But this two-mile section of roadway has been the site for 8 fatal accidents in the last 18 years.

District 3 Commissioner Rick Graves plans to discuss at Tuesday's meeting about lowering the speed limit. He thinks the speed limit on all county roads needs reduced. But he noted that lowering the speed limit will put additional burdens on the sheriff's department who are responsible for enforcing new limits. Graves is not sure if posting a 35 to 40 miles per hour speed limit will be followed by motorists.

Greene County Sheriff Terry Pierce says he will support the speed reduction. He says 55 miles per hour is just too fast for county roads, especially that road. He added that if the speed limit is changed, signs need posted and his officers will enforce the reduced speeds.

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