BURKE, VA — Neighbors have an online petition for Fairfax County to raise a soft traffic light on Burke Center Parkway, where a July 18 crash killed a teenage girl and seriously injured 3 other teens.
Rebekah Zarco, 17, died in the crash last Tuesday night as she attempted to turn left from Burke Center Mall onto Burke Center Parkway. Three other teens in the car, in addition to Rebekah’s brother, remain hospitalized in serious condition.
The twist of fate happened around nine o’clock in the evening. in the 5700 block of Burke Center Parkway. La Fairfax County police decided that the driving force of a 2014 Cadillac XTS4 was driving west on Burke Center Parkway. The Cadillac collided with a 2023 Kia Forte, driven through Rebekah, as it attempted to turn left from the parking lot onto Burke Center Parkway.
“We send our condolences to the circle of relatives of the lovely soul who took us too soon, Rebekah Alexis Zarco, as she tragically passed away at the scene of the accident,” the online petition read. “We pray for a speedy recovery for David Zarco, as well as the other two Robinson fellows who were hospitalized for their injuries. “
Rebekah had graduated from Robinson High School and planned to attend George Mason University in the fall.
“The addition of a traffic light will bring justice to Rebekah and those injured, create a safer road environment, and prevent further devastation in our community,” the petition read.
READ ALSO: Teen Woman Killed in Burke Crash Scheduled to Assist George Mason in Fall
Police, who issued the Cadillac’s motive force call, are continuing to investigate the crash. The FCPD said its detectives preliminarily believed speed “was a contributing factor to the crash. “No fees have yet been charged for the accident.
Rebekah Zarco’s funeral is scheduled for July 29 at 10 a. m. at Expectation Church, 1924 Braddock Road, DC News Now reported Friday.
By Monday morning, the online petition for smooth transit had garnered more than 1560 signatures. One user wrote on the petition that he passes through this intersection several times a day and has noticed many serious injuries there. “Something wants to change!” She wrote.
Others recommend that instead of smooth traffic at Burke Center, traffic engineers fully hold the median to prevent drivers from turning left onto Burke Center Parkway.
“This will force access to the mall and will not exit the intersection,” the user wrote. “Also, having smooth traffic can completely ruin traffic, as there are already two devices to smooth traffic in both directions. Therefore, connecting the median can bring merit to traffic and end the tragedy of car accidents. This will require outgoing drivers to start from smooth traffic at the Shell petrol station, making it a safer option when exiting the mall. “
Another user agreed that a new traffic light is the answer, but he also doesn’t think extending the median on Burke Center Parkway is the right decision.
“This would force traffic into traffic at Shell station, and traffic there is already congested most of the time,” the user wrote. “The challenge turns out to be the long stretch of Burke Center Parkway before the church chimney, especially if the light is green. I’ve been in a hurry because it’s so easy to do. “
The individual advised that traffic light devices are not programmed to keep traffic moving. “Instead, program traffic light devices to stay red longer and force other people to slow down. It will be embarrassing for many, but it can save a life,” the user said.
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