July 27, 2006
SAFE ROADS ADVOCACY GROUP COMPILES DANGEROUS ROADS LIST

Avon-WTNH

The widow of a man killed in a fiery crash on Avon Mountain last year wants the state to make roads safer. Ellen Stotler wants change before tragedy strikes again.

by News Channel 8's Erin Cox
They stood side by side as husband and wife, parents of five girls. Now this widow is standing up to make Connecticut roads safer.

"The girls and I still feel the pain of losing Chip everyday," Ellen said. "No
children should have to go through what my children are going through."

42 year old Chip Stotler was among the four killed one year ago when a dump truck careened down Avon Mountain and crashed into cars waiting at the light. The truck's owner, David Wilcox, has been charged with manslaughter.

Improvements have been made to Avon Mountain, including signs and ticketing areas.

"They have not gotten to the heart of the problem," says Ellen.

Not satisfied, Ellen and other victims are forming a group and compiling their own list of the ten most dangerous roads, demanding the state take action to make stretches like Route 34 in New Haven safer.

"I think Chip would want us to do something about the fact that other people are in danger everyday," Ellen said.

Number two on the list Route Six in Columbia, known as Suicide Six. Drivers here say this widow coming forward may help make this stretch safer.

"If it were to put a spotlight on it and even get the governor involved in could help," says Chris Doyle of Willimantic.

Stotler says no one in Connecticut should have a killer commute. "Safer rides to and from work back home."

Here's the group's list of the ten worst roads, based on statistics they got from the Department of Transportation.

Route 44, Avon
Route 6, Bolton to Columbia
Route 34, New Haven
Route 15 Merritt Parkway
I-95, Darien
Route 9, Haddam to Middletown
Route 69 Woodbridge to Bethany
Route 107, Redding
Route 66, Middletown by the Arrigoni Bridge
Route 8, Torrington to Winchester