Story Published:
Jan 18, 2008 at 6:00 PM MDT
Story Updated:
Jan 22, 2008 at 9:06 AM MDT
One Eastern Idaho sheriff's office is demanding change from the Idaho transportation department.
The Fremont County sheriff's office says it's only a matter of time before someone else is killed in their county on Highway 20.
The roads have been treacherous for weeks and while officers acknowledge that speed plays a factor in most wrecks, they also say the state needs to do something now.
Sheriff Ralph Davis, Fremont Co. Sheriff: "It's a sad commentary that people have to lose their life to bring this into the spotlight."
Mindy McCulley and Austin Wright...two people in two different cars killed on Highway 20 in Fremont County within the past week in two different accidents.
Davis: "It tugs at your heartstrings. That could be your kid out there."
These fatal accidents are just two of dozens that have happened on the highway over the past few weeks and Fremont County Sheriff Ralph Davis says he's tired of it.
Davis: "It's gotta change. Obviously people are dieing as a result of the poor road conditions."
In Idaho, major roads and highways are classified as either level one or level two. Level one roads have more traffic and during snowstorms, they take priority for plowing and sanding.
Highway 20 is currently classified as level two and Davis says that's part of the reason for so many accidents.
Davis: "One plow at night is not sufficient to keep that road cleared. We're asking the transportation department to raise this road back to a level one so that it can be cared for and people and property can be protected."
Bruce King, Idaho Transportation Department: "There's only so much that can be done when conditions are severe."
The Idaho Transportation Department says even though Highway 20 is a level two road, it still is one of the main priorities in Eastern Idaho.
King: "Level one and level two - the difference is not great. In fact, we're doing all we can now."
The department says workers are plowing and sanding the roads north of St. Anthony in the dangerous areas.
Nate Eaton, Channel 3 Eyewitness News: "Could the department have done more up there?"
King: "No. We don't feel that we could have done more. We're doing all that we possibly can with the resources we have."
But Davis says the department can and should do more for the sake of two accident victims.
Davis: "I understand this all comes back to economics but we're dealing with people's lives and we haven't shut up and we won't shut up and it's not going to go away. Something has got to be done."
Davis says he has no complaints about the road workers themselves and knows they're doing the best they can.
The transportation department says it's open to receiving any suggestions or comments for feedback. To contact them,
Click Here.
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