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Guardrails Urged After Tragic Teen Death on IN 163
11 Apr
Summary
- A petition seeks guardrails on Indiana 163 after a fatal crash.
- Over 1,900 signatures support safety improvements on the road.
- Community members cite long-standing concerns about the road's safety.
A petition advocating for the installation of guardrails on Indiana 163 between Clinton and Lyford is circulating following the February 20th death of Riverton Parke High School student Chase Bennett. More than 1,900 people have signed the online petition, which was initiated by Sherlyn Towles, whose children knew Bennett. The petition calls on the Indiana Department of Transportation, state legislators, and Governor Mike Braun to address safety issues, including a dangerous ravine and substandard shoulder.
Community members believe that guardrails might have saved Bennett's life. Towles stated her motivation stemmed from the profound impact of Bennett's loss and the community's desire to prevent future tragedies. She noted that concerns about this particular stretch of road have existed for years, indicating it's not an isolated issue. The petition will be presented to the Indiana Department of Transportation once greater community engagement is achieved, with no set deadline for signatures.
Bennett, a multi-sport athlete, was driving east on Indiana 163 west of Lyford when his vehicle veered off the north side of the road and struck trees. He was pronounced dead at Union Hospital Clinton due to injuries sustained in the crash. Towles has also engaged state representatives to further highlight the need for safety improvements on this highway.
