Neighbors Demand Improvements After Fatal Car Crash

After a fatal crash Tuesday night, neighbors who live near Marksheffel Road and Fontaine Boulevard said there are too many accidents there and something needs to be done to improve safety.

Andria Terry started an online petition to get a traffic light installed at the intersection. To take a look at the petition, click here.

Neighbors said there have been several serious accidents at the intersection in the past year. Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, Bethany Maes, 17, from Colorado Springs was killed when she ran a stop sign.

Three children, Briana Medina-Martinez, 15, Curtis Martinez, 11, and Grace Morales, 6, were all taken to Memorial Hospital.

Morales suffered life-threatening injuries.

Last October, KRDO NewsChannel 13 reported an accident in which a 20-year-old woman died after running a stop sign at the same intersection.

El Paso County Engineer Andre Brackin said his department has gotten several calls from concerned drivers.

He said the county has put up additional signage in the past year to warn drivers about the stop signs. However, after this latest crash, Brackin said more safety measures are being considered.

Some neighbors have asked that a traffic light be installed, but Brackin said that is not up to the county to build.

“The developer that is responsible for the new homes is also responsible for the traffic improvements needed to accommodate all the new traffic on the roads,” he said.

According to El Paso County, once 525 homes are built in the Lorson Ranch subdivision, a traffic light will be required.

Brackin said that just less than 500 homes have been built so far and he expects construction on a new traffic light to start within the next year.

Neighbors also said they hope more law enforcement patrols will keep an eye on the intersection.

Brackin said those who have concerns about the intersection should call Colorado State Patrol or the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.