Dept of Transportation Letter
September 5, 2000
Mrs. Joanne Morrison
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Robert A Dennison III
Regional Director
New York State
Department of Transportation
4 Burnett Blvd.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Dear Mr. Dennison,
On January 23, 2000, my 15 year-old daughter Chelsea Lynn was killed
at the Hibernia crossing of the Taconic State parkway. On that
Sunday afternoon I was hemming a pair of pants for her in my New York
City apartment when two policemen came to my door to tell me my daughter
was dead. She was a boarding student at Millbrook School and
was a passenger in the car of a day student. The two were going
to get ingredients for his mothers’ Sunday brunch.
It has taken me more than six months to write to you as my grieving
has been so severe, however, recently I have been moved to do whatever
I can so that no other mother will ever live through this horrible,
yet preventable suffering.
Recently I have spent much time researching the “at-grade” crossings
of the Taconic State Parkway. Your name is on many of the documents,
and I believe you should be aware of my efforts. An article in
the Poughkeepsie Journal titled “Deadly Taconic Roads
Resist Safety Changes” written by Mary Beth Pfeiffer on Sunday,
March 5, 2000 is enclosed. I have obtained the studies done by
the Department of Transportation in 1970 suggesting all at-grade crossings
be closed (14 years before my daughter was born). I have minutes
from the Northern Dutchess Alliance meetings from May 27, 1997 through
November 17, 1999. I have personally called the supervisors in
the local townships and have been corresponding with those at The Freedom
of Information Act and the People for Open Government attempting to
obtain the 13 more recent DOT studies of the TSP at-grade crossings
to no avail. Unfortunately, Mr. Dennison, nothing so far has
explained to me why District 8 has continued to allow such dangers. The Poughkeepsie
Journal article seems enough proof for anyone. Every person
I have shown it to calls this situation astounding and horrific.
Chelsea’s death has been devastating not only to myself as a
single parent, but also to so many more. She was extremely dear
to all who knew her.
My 18-year-old son, her only sibling, cannot begin to recover from
his devastation, let alone maintain his honors status at school, participate
in sports, prepare for the rigors of applying for college. He
adamantly stands firm on his belief that life is now meaningless. The
two of our lives are filled with grief counselors, medication, tears,
nightmares, and deep loneliness for our Dear Sweet Chelsea.
Chelsea’s father, a resident of Florida, is so devastated; most
have concluded that his life, for all intents and purposes, is over.
There were more than 950 people at Chelsea’s funeral, most of
them young teens who should never have had to be introduced to the
experience of death by the loss of one of their most admired contemporaries. Hardest
for me was greeting the mothers who attended the wake, from Chelsea’s
nursery School through her boarding school. Their pain and compassion
for me was palpable, yet I could see that they were, almost against
their will, relieved it was not their child. “There
but for the Grace of God go I” was almost audible.
I am from a family of 10 children. Chelsea’s father is
from a family of 11 children. Over 30 aunts and uncles, and more
than 50 first cousins remain in shock that the first and only tragedy
of our huge and blessed family was the untimely death of such a beautiful
and kind child. Cousins continue to see grief counselors; grandparents
question the amount of years they have been given, and sisters are
almost embarrassed that their own children are well and healthy.
And the person I would hope you consider most closely is the young
17 year old boy who was driving the car, crossing at Hibernia, an at-grade
crossing he should have NEVER been expected to negotiate. Many
statistics come to mind, none of which you are unaware; however, the
fact that 60% of traffic accidents on the TSP are due to ‘failing
to yield to on-coming traffic’ and that this young man received
a TICKET for the same both astounds and angers me.
I enclose for you three photos of my Chelsea. One, when she
was just four years old, one with her brother at Salisbury School where
she visited to see his play, and the last is Chels on Christmas vacation
with her cousin Michael – the last photograph taken of her before
her death less that three weeks later.
Also enclosed are three of over 800 letters I received and answered. Not
only will you learn of the kindness and generosity of my daughter,
but the devastation these children are going through.
I know this is a difficult letter to read. It is difficult to
write. But I want you to know who I am, a little of my beautiful
daughter Chelsea, and of my commitment to see EVERY at-grade crossing
on the Taconic State Parkway closed. Immediately. No scenery
could be more beautiful than my daughter, no farmer could produce the
joy she brought to all who knew her, and no business could offer the
future more productivity than Chelsea’s enthusiastic ability
to be part of and contribute to this small earth of ours.
I will begin to do all that I can to end these tragic accidents. I
hope that you understand my concern and dedication to the closing of
all at-grade crossings of the Taconic, and hope you will do all that
you can. It is my job as a parent to keep my children safe, and
your job as the Commissioner of District 8 to keep your constituents
safe.
Sincerely,
Joanne Morrison
cc: Joseph Boardman
Commissioner
NYS Department of Transportation |