Politics & Government

Cherokee Votes to Study Intersection Where Woman Died in Accident

The intersection of Woodstock Road and Victory Drive was the site where Tiffany Robbins died in a two-vehicle accident in January.

The Cherokee County Commission will soon know if an intersection where a woman and her unborn child were fatally hit in a two-vehicle accident needs some extra safety measures.

Commissioners on Tuesday voted to approve a professional services contract with Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. to study the intersection of Victory Drive at Woodstock Road during its meeting.

The study will cost $10,900 and would involve reviewing accident data, site distance at the intersection, traffic flow and turning movement counts, future development trends in the immediate area that will impact traffic flow at the intersection, perform a roundabout analysis and traffic signal study and conduct an all-way stop warrant analysis. 

Cherokee Public Works Director Geoff Morton said during commission's work session that the county could have an idea as to what direction it should take by the end of April. 

On Jan. 11, Tiffany Robbins, 26, who also had her three-year-old daughter Malaya restrained in the backseat of her vehicle, was turning onto Woodstock Road from Victory Drive when her Honda Accord pulled into the path of a truck traveling northbound on Woodstock Road. 

The woman and her three-year-old child were transported to WellStar Kennestone Hospital for treatment. Robbins underwent an emergency c-section at the hospital, but the baby did not survive. Robbins later died of internal injuries.

Robbins' aunt Judy Beale was at the county commission meeting Tuesday to see what the outcome of the body's vote. Beale, through tears, said she visits the intersection each Saturday to place flowers near the site of the accident.

She said she is now raising her niece's daughter, who she said is still too young to ask questions. 

The intersection, she said, is "very dangerous," and she hoped something is done to improve the safety of motorists using the thoroughfares.

Commissioner Jason Nelms, who represents the district where the intersection is located, added he can "only imagine what you're going through." 

"We are doing all we can possibly can so another tragedy won’t occur," he added, adding it's the county's responsibility to make the intersection as safe as it can.  

Beale, who also created an online petition asking the county to install stop signs at the three-way intersection, said she is planning to set up a meeting to discuss the issue with Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta) and Rep. Tom Price (R-Roswell). 

Nelms, who spoke with Beale after the meeting, added he'd hope to possibly dedicate the intersection after Robbins and her family. Beale said she hopes no one forgets about Robbins, her legacy and the need to make the intersection safer for all motorists.

"I will continue to beg and plead with the powers (th)at be to make a change so that it doesn't happen to anyone else," she wrote on her Facebook page.


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