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A Deadly Stretch of Road
Shirley mom, daughter killed in crash; son, friend critical

By Joie Tyrrell, Staff Writer

2003 September 08, 8:14 PM EDT

When Lydia Mohn leaves her Shirley home, she's always cautious when she gets
to the six-lane William Floyd Parkway.

She uses the same intersection at Robinwood Road where a mother and
daughter were killed Saturday night after police said a motorist ran a red light
and struck their car.

"It's my main way to get out and I'm scared to death," said Mohn, who had
traveled that road just 10 minutes prior to the accident. "You don't know if people
are going to stop."

As the tight-knit community mourned the loss of Roseann Brooks and her
17-year-old daughter, residents Monday questioned the safety of the William
Floyd Parkway. The death rate on its more heavily traveled southern five miles is
higher than the rate on the lightly traveled northern and central sections,
according to a Newsday analysis of Suffolk County records.

The fatality rate is also many times higher than the rates on some of Long
Island's busiest highways: the LIE and the Northern and Southern State
Parkways, according to the analysis.

From 1999 to 2001, there have been seven fatal accidents on the 5.2-mile
stretch of the road south of Sunrise Highway compared with five fatal accidents
on the lesser traveled 10.5-mile portion north of Sunrise.

Residents said drivers pick up speed on the roadway as it changes from 45 mph
to 55 mph. The speed limit rises about a half-mile before Robinwood Road, the
scene of Saturday's accident.

"They should make it all one speed limit," Mohn said. "It's ridiculous that it
changes."

Suffolk County officials tested the traffic lights in the area Monday and said they
were working properly. Richard LaValle, chief deputy commissioner of public
works for Suffolk County, said the county is looking into timing the signals along
William Floyd to control the speed of traffic.

The county has made improvements along the southern section of William Floyd
in recent years, including restricting turning at Stuart Road. "In general, we do
everything we can to keep the road as safe as possible," LaValle said.
"Unfortunately, we can't account for all the actions of the drivers. Some accidents
you might not be able to ever prevent."

Legis. Peter O'Leary (R-Moriches) said his office received calls from residents
Monday complaining about the parkway and he has requested a study of the
road. New homes have been built and a new King Kullen supermarket and Home
Depot are under construction alongside the Parkway.

In the seven years that tow-truck operator Keith Whitman has worked the
William Floyd Parkway, his business has jumped at least 40 percent. "There are
at least one or two every week south of Sunrise Highway," said Whitman, owner
of Wood's Towing and Auto Repair in Shirley. "The town is growing so much and
there is so much going on, I don't think the town can handle the traffic."

O'Leary said police have stepped up patrols and could soon add Smart Signs --
which alert motorists to their speed.

For drivers, such as Donna Mazzone, of Mastic Beach, the roadway is like a
gamble every time she drives it. "The speed limit is 55 and they do 65 and 70,"
she said.

Staff writer Robert Fresco contributed to this story.

Copyright © 2003, Newsday, Inc.

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