August 7, 2002
Alan R. Howell, 42, was killed at the intersection of Eggert Drive and Persimmon Tree Road, Monday, Aug. 5.
According to police, the 42-year-old truck driver from Gaithersburg, traveling northbound on Persimmon Tree Road, was partially ejected from his Ford F-250 truck after an Oldsmobile Cutlass station wagon — traveling eastbound on Eggert Drive — collided with the driver's side of Howell's truck.
Howell, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene after his truck rolled over, righted itself and came to rest at a row of trees. The police investigation is continuing; police said they don't know why the station wagon collided with the truck.
James Turner, 44, of Silver Spring was the driver and Robert Curtis, 21, of Silver Spring, was the passenger of the station wagon. Curtis was transported to Suburban Hospital.
"THE ROAD WAS CLOSED about an hour to clear the accident," said Eugene Roesser, of the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department. "That whole stretch of road there is a problem. We have had some serious accidents there in the past … but it's been a while."
Keith Woodard, president of the Carderock Springs South Homeowner Association, said the bridge overlooking the Beltway on Persimmon Tree reduces visibility for drivers turning from Eggert Drive.
"I jog past the intersection all the time. There's always grease marks or glass from some accident," said Woodard.
Patricia Lore, another local resident, petitioned for years for a four-way stop sign at the intersection.
"People zoom right by there, it's natural to do it on Persimmon. I think a stop sign would slow people down," said Lore.
Lore advocated for a four-way stop sign when she had young children at Carderock Springs Elementary School over 15 years ago.
Lore said her request to the state for a four-way stop sign was turned down because there wasn't an equal number of cars crossing the road from both directions.
"I always said that somebody has to die before somebody does something. I know that happened at Kentsdale Drive," said Lore.
"This morning our warning to the state came true. One person has died and two are in serious condition. Can we please now get our stop sign?" said Lore.
"We would support it," said Woodard.