VDOT to look at deadly stretch of Route 3

By Rhonda Simmons

Published: September 3, 2008

That ominous stretch of road on Route 3 has been the scene of a number of deadly accidents.

In November, Michael William Kilby’s 1999 Dodge pickup crossed the center line near that same area of Route 3 in Stevensburg hitting Amity Stein Grace’s 2000 Chevy Blazer killing her instantly.

The Virginia Department of Transportation conducts a road safety review after every fatality, according to Kerrie Humphreys, public affairs administrative assistant for VDOT’s Culpeper office.

Crews mark the pavement and shoulder during each evaluation.

“A further accident review will be conducted,” Humphreys said referring to Friday’s wreck.

So far, the agency has studied Route 3 from Route 600 to 750 conducting surveys and analyzing statistics.

There have been 66 accidents, four fatalities, 30 injuries and 30 incidents with property damage between January 2004 and November 2007, Humphreys said.

“Most were caused by wildlife or driver’s drinking,” she added.

Humphreys said VDOT added high-visibility traffic arrows on Route 3 in Stevensburg after the crash that killed Grace and injured her husband.

She said VDOT also has plans to begin a four-lane widening project in fiscal year 2014 depending on funding.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .