BORDEN, IND. (WDRB) -- Serious crashes, some involving fatalities, and reckless drivers have prompted Indiana State Police to step patrols along a section of Highway 60 near Borden.
But the road itself – its narrow turns and lack of shoulders – make it difficult for police to write citations or pull over speedy drivers.
Last week, a head-on collision that killed two people served as a reminder to residents like Mike Wedding that the solution might be two fold: drivers need to take more responsibility, and state police might need to increase its patrols in the area.
"I see a lot of wrecks," Wedding said during an interview with WDRB News. "(Last week's) crash was pretty gruesome. I'm not sure they would've made it even if they had been wearing their seatbelts."
The crash involved at least three vehicles, according to Indiana State Police. For an unknown reason, a black car crossed the center line of Hwy. 60 and struck another vehicle.
24-year-old Angela Berkley of Bullitt County was pronounced dead at the scene, and 24-year-old Curtis L. Heckel of Louisville died later at University Hospital. Two additional passengers were taken to a hospital by helicopter.
The pickup truck came to rest in a nearby ditch. Its driver was also airlifted to a hospital.
A WDRB News crew rode along with Trooper Jon Cain with Indiana State Police on Monday. Cain demonstrated the difficulty he faces when trying to catch up with a speeder. The busy, two lane road, is often difficult for police to manuever, Cain said.
"There's really no shoulders to pull over a car safely," said Cain.
During our interview, Cain's cruiser pushed 90 mph along straight sections of Hwy 60 when traffic was clear in an effort to catch a speeder travelling the opposite direction. Once he catches up, Cain issue the woman a warning.
She thanked him for his efforts, telling him she lived along Hwy. 60 and was aware of the traffic concerns.
Hwy. 60 near Borden is a top priority for state police, who are trying to prevent speeders and more crashes.
Earlier, another attempt to o fails, as a van nearly swerves into the path of Cain's cruiser.
"It kinda looks like she turned off on me," Cain said, after losing sight of the driver suspected of speeding.
Part of his difficulty is finding a space to turn around safely, and finding another safe area to pull over drivers where neither he nor the driver will be in harm's way. Part of the problem is, as Cain will tell you, the road itself is so narrow it makes it difficult for police to pull over drivers.
"It' just unsafe for us to work," Trooper Cain said.
Another driver was caught going 65, but he too was issued a warning.
"If you could just try to watch your speed a little closer, I appreciate that," Cain told the man. Indiana State Police have been criticized for writing too many tickets here.
But residents like Mike Wedding think the patrols are needed. He lives just feet from where a head-on crash last week killed two people.
Trooper Cain says he went to college to become a teacher but has been working in law enforcement for five years. He thinks there are "teachable moments" along this stretch of road.
Among them: patience, slowing down and driver awareness.
"It could save an accident or two and possibly someone's life," Cain said.
