Fatal crash at Reeves and Horton prompts talk of more safety measures at intersection

Riverhead Town is moving to institute additional traffic safety measures at the intersection of Reeves and Horton Avenues after a fatal crash on Wednesday.

The crash between a Buick SUV and a dump truck resulted in the death of a 85-year-old Calverton man and injured his 86-year-old female passenger, also of Calverton. The intersection has historically been a spot for T-bone and rollover accidents resulting in injuries. See pri4or coverage of crashes at the intersection.

Councilman Frank Beyrodt, whose family owns a sod farm, two golf courses and a restaurant near the intersection, and who went to the scene after the accident took place, told Police Chief David Hegermiller that accidents at the intersection are “not uncommon” and recommended the town move to install all-way stop signs to slow traffic at the intersection. 

“It’s a very difficult intersection, with the fences as an obstruction to the view on both sides,” Beyrodt said. “I think it’s something we should look into. It’s a terrible, terrible tragedy, and to witness the aftermath of it was really incredible.”

Hegermiller said it would be on future agendas for the town board and that Assistant Town Engineer Ken Testa had already spoken to him about it. He said the town has already tried other safety measures at that intersection, like installing bigger stop signs.

Deputy Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski, who will assume the office of highway superintendent at the turn of the year, said in a call today that discussions on how to make the intersection safer will likely be held at the town’s traffic safety committee meeting. 

He said the committee could recommend to the town board the installation of the all-way stop sign, a regular traffic light, or a flashing traffic light for the intersection.