KIRKWOOD, Mo. — A woman was killed in a Kirkwood crash Saturday evening, the Kirkwood Police Department said.
A 45-year-old woman was driving southbound through the intersection of Geyer and Big Bend roads when a vehicle struck her car at around 9 p.m., police said in a statement with few details. The woman died at the scene.
Officers with the Kirkwood Police Department found the victim as soon as they arrived at the crash scene, police said. The passengers and driver of the vehicle traveling west on Big Bend were not seriously hurt.
Police did not share the circumstances or the cause of this deadly crash, but said they were still under investigation.
"At the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be presented to the St Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review of possible charges," the statement said.
Police shared no other information, citing an open investigation.
"Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim," the statement said.
Michael Carmody also sends his condolences.
He's with the advocacy group Safer Streets for Kirkwood and considers this intersection a problem.
"My immediate thought was how fast was one of these cars going. It appeared one of the tops were cut off, it was horrific," Carmody said. "We've been lobbying hard for Big Bend for five years."
He's referencing to the improvements he wants in this area.
Carmody said his biggest concern is speeding. The speed limit is 35 miles per hour, however through a study he learned the average driver goes 45 miles per hour in this intersection.
Kirkwood resident Ron Ruzicka also voices concerns.
"The main streets speeding, smaller streets stop signs. Drivers are like water, they'll find a place of least resistance," Ruzicka said.
Carmody said he's been looking at a John Hopkins study which says, narrower traffic lanes could help lower the risk of traffic-related collisions.
"These lanes are too wide, wide lanes make the drivers feel comfortable and exceed the speed limit," he said.
St. Louis County is working on a project for this specific intersection.
On its website, it shared this:
To ensure safety at the intersection of Big Bend and Geyer, where most of the crashes occur, the County will install the following:
- A median to restrict left turns.
- A bump out at the northeast quadrant onto Geyer.
- An island enlargement on the northwest quadrant to reduce the crossing distance and provide better pedestrian passage.
- Three pedestrian push button-controlled signalized crosswalks.
- Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) will be evaluated closer to the bid date and incorporated to the greatest extent practicable.
Construction will begin in 2025.
"We're trying to push the issue, go to the media, do whatever we can to wake everyone up to get this resolved, that's what we need," Ruzicka said.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or the Apple TV app store.