Auto Accident at Troublesome Intersection, 2 Hurt

( July 25, 2002 ) Witnesses gave conflicting accounts of what happened at 11:36 a.m., Thursday, July 24, at the corner of Vanderburg and Wendt Avenues. What isn't in dispute is that two cars collided, injuring both drivers.

A 1996 Plymouth van driven by Laurie D. Couglin of Larchmont was traveling east on Vanderburg when it was hit by a 2000 Volvo, driven by Elizabeth S. Goldman of Pelham. Ms. Goldman's car toward Vanderburg on Wendt, and witnesses couldn't agree on whether or not she had stopped at the stop sign before the collision.

Both driver and passenger in the Coughlin automobile were immobilized and taken to the hospital, but Ms. Goldman refused medical treatment after initially complaining of neck pain.

Because of the conflicting witness accounts, no summonses were issued, according to the Larchmont Police Department.

Neighbors said the intersection in question has been the scene of numerous collisions over the years. Wendt Avenue resident Richard Golden reported "A lot of people don't come to a full stop at the stop sign. At the same time people are racing from Larchmont to Chatsworth on Vanderburg to make the light." Another neighbor added, "You hear screeches and horns beeping and see near misses at this corner all the time."

Drivers on Vanderburg have the right of way, but many drivers on Wendt fail to stop at the stop sign or roll through it. Indeed, as this reporter was taking photographs, two cars failed to stop fully at the sign. One did not even slow down before turning quickly onto Vanderburg.

Sightlines are obstructed as one approaches the intersection on Wendt. To see traffic coming from Chatsworth requires inching the car past the stop sign to peer beyond the cars parked on Vanderburg. Some neighbors have proposed installing stop signs in both directions on Vanderburg, creating a four-way stop, but others feel this would just add to congestion, causing back-ups onto Larchmont and Chatsworth Avenues at busy times.

According to the Traffic Commission, both the Commission and the Police Department have researched the intersection in the past three years. Traffic consultants and engineers brought in by the Commission recommended moving the stop sign and adding a sign on Vanderburg warning of the intersection ahead, both of which were implemented. A four-way stop was not among the recommendations. Police measured traffic speeds and did not find a problem with cars driving over the posted limit. However, the Commision is continuing to monitor the intersection.

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