STAFFORD, Va. — Helen Wang's smile was bright. Her friends say they can't remember a time where they ever saw her sad or upset.
"She was everybody's favorite person," said her friend and Colonial Forge High School classmate, Rebecca Chung.
It was May 16th when Helen was celebrating her 17th birthday at Abel Lake. She was trying to make a left turn onto Kellogg Mill Road when she was hit and killed by a work vehicle. A vehicle she never saw coming because of overgrown trees.
Jeff Adams lives near Abel Lake and has been driving Kellogg Mill for nearly 40 years.
"Before the state showed up and cleared all of this, there was vegetation hanging five feet over the guardrail. Fifty feet from here you couldn't see the guardrail," said Adams.
Almost immediately, her friends jumped into action. They created a group called 'Changing Stafford's Roads,' pushing local lawmakers to make secondary roads in the county safer.
The road was closed immediately after the fatal crash. Since the accident, Virginia Department of Transportation came in to clear the trees to give immediate assistance to the county. However, according to a VDOT spokesperson, The Abel Lake Access road and boat ramp are both owned by Stafford County and the county is responsible and required to maintain line of sight.
That's why Helen's friends want to see more changes. They have been to every Board of Supervisors meeting since the accident. They don't want another person to have to die before the roads are fixed.
"It frustrates you when you realize something tragic has occurred, but this life could have been saved if we all paid more attention, said Helen's friend Aidan Terlizzi.
As a long-time Stafford County resident, Adams felt it was his responsibility to speak to the Board of Supervisors after the accident. He said he is pleased with the progress so far, he just wishes it would have come before this tragedy.
"What they have done has improved this 100%, but they did it a couple of weeks too late and it's unfortunate," said Adams.
According to VDOT, prior to the fatal crash on May 16th, it received 46 service requests from drivers since the beginning of the year. None of them were about vegetation or visibility in the vicinity of Abel Lake. However, after the crash, VDOT said it has received five requests regarding low hanging trees or branches on that road.
VDOT said its secondary roads are mowed up to two times a year. In the Fredericksburg District, concerns related to vegetation are reviewed within two business days. If it is found to be a concern, the area will be mowed the next business day.
Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors will meet for an important vote regarding roads. It will decide whether or not to advance its proposed $50 million roads bond referendum. Seven weeks after Helen lost her life, her friends hope this will move forward.
After a years long study, the plan details some of the most treacherous roads in the county and where improvements are needed the most. If approved, it would head to the November Ballot.
Changing Stafford's Roads has complied a survey that will soon be open to all Stafford County residents. It wants to compare its results to the plan the Board of Supervisors has.
VDOT Customer Service Center:
1-800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or online.