Two women have died as result of an automobile crash May 1 at the intersection of Kirk Road and Rt. 52, in Greenville.

The women were identified as Bettyann Disabatino, 79, of Florida, and Phyllis Dinardo, 71, of Sweetbriar Road, Wilmington.

According to police, a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, occupied by Disabatino and Dinardo, was stopped for a red light on westbound Kirk Road at the intersection with Rt. 52.

A 1996 Dodge pick-up, operated by Keith Sharpley, 19, of Willow Grove Mill in Middletown, was traveling northbound on Rt. 52 and was approaching the intersection with Kirk Road. The traffic light changed to red for the pick-up and to green for the Chrysler. The Chrysler proceeded forward when Sharpley saw the red light and applied his brakes but his truck continued into the intersection. The front end of the Dodge struck the driver’s side of the PT Cruiser. Both vehicles remained locked together.

No charges have been filed and the crash remains under investigation as of May 5.

Hudson’s reaction

State Rep. Deborah Hudson (R-Greenville), told the Community News that since the accident, people have been calling asking that something be done.

She said she has asked the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) for a safety assessment to see what can be done in the short term. “I think people are very nervous about that intersection."

She said this is not a new problem. DelDOT has already added a left turn arrow at the light to Campbell Road and widened the road.

"Little by little they're trying to add things to it. But obviously more needs to be done," she said.

Hudson said during these tight economic times she is willing to use her Community Transportation Fund monies to make improvements. "All I can do is ask," she said.

She said possible improvements can include different signage and line of sight improvements. "There doesn't seem to be an obvious solution," she said.

“When people are coming north heading into the city, they pass on the right and they're usually going pretty fast,” she said.

She suggested changing road to keep people from passing on right, forcing people to wait in line.