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Following fatal crash in Fairwood, Dunn’s traffic safety study clears hurdle
July 17, 2024
The King County Council’s Local Services and Land Use Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Councilmember Reagan Dunn that asks the county to evaluate strategies to improve traffic safety in and around the community of Fairwood. Dunn proposed the legislation following a recent tragic car wreck that put a spotlight on problem areas on one of the area’s main thoroughfares.
“I am glad to see my legislation move through the legislative process,” Dunn said. “After many conversations with members of the Fairwood community, I believe it’s critically important to review all ideas for improving road safety in Fairwood — such as roundabouts, cameras, and increased traffic enforcement — so that together we can proactively avoid further tragedies stemming from dangerous driving.”
On Tuesday, the King County Council approved Dunn’s budget request of $75,000 for additional traffic patrols in for the Fairwood community.
In March, a man was charged with four counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular assault and reckless driving in relation to a crash in Fairwood that killed a woman and three children after allegedly running a red light at 112 mph. He pleaded not guilty to all charges at his arraignment in April. The case is ongoing.
Dunn’s legislation requests a study of a range of road safety improvement options in the Fairwood community. Specifically, it calls for the study of roundabouts at high-risk intersections on 140th Ave SE; the use of traffic enforcement cameras at major intersections near Carriage Crest Elementary School and at other high-risk locations; emphasis patrols by law enforcement officers in the Fairwood community; and other infrastructure improvements including but not limited to road diets, physical barriers in unused center two-way left-turn lanes, and leading pedestrian intervals.
The proposal follows a Fairwood community meeting where local residents voiced concerns over reckless driving and speeding on 140th Ave SE. Dunn attended the meeting and was joined, at his request, by King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall and the Director of the Road Services Division of the Department of Local Services, Tricia Davis.
Dunn’s legislation now heads to the full King County Council for a final vote.