Jasmine Houston visits the roadside memorial of her cousin, Damian Hall, who died in a crash Oct. 26 on the dead end of New Castle Road in Butler Township. There have been five accidents on the stretch of road since January, said Chief John Hays of Butler Township Police Department. Hall's family says the death was preventable, and is calling for more signage to be posted around the roadside. Irina Bucur/Butler Eagle

A flashing warning sign can save a life.

There are stop signs bordered with blinking red lights. There are flashing lights on signs warning of a traffic control light coming up. There are bright blinking white lights in intersections to warn of emergency vehicles approaching.

Even reflective material on a black and yellow curve sign can make a difference on a dark night.

Many accidents have been prevented by such devices.

In the Friday edition of the Butler Eagle, we learned the curve at the end of the 400 block of New Castle Road in Butler Township has a lack of such devices. There are no prominent signs, nor arrows, nor flashing signs. And it is prone to crashes.

In the case of Damian Hall, the crash was fatal.

Hall’s family said he was likely traveling to one of his aunts’ houses the night of Oct. 26 — driving past Staples and Goodwill — before missing his turn on Lions Road. He continued straight on New Castle Road until reaching the 400 block, which leads to a turnaround.

Brandy Kight, Hall’s aunt, said there were no skid marks left on the road from the crash, indicating her nephew had continued to drive straight without braking, not realizing he was heading into a dead end.

The family of Damian Hall says the death was preventable.

Even Butler Township police Chief John Hays noted the road could benefit from more signage.

This fatal crash should serve as a flashing warning light to officials to take a close look at how traffic is being controlled not just here, but anywhere. Hall’s family pointed out that he hadn’t lived in the area in several years, and roads are constantly changing. If a driver isn’t familiar with a road, they may not be prepared for a dangerous curve or unexpected hill crest the way a locally seasoned driver may be.

According to Kight, a resident of the neighborhood where Hall’s fatal crash happened, he has filed several complaints to PennDOT about the situation on the state-maintained road.

The fatal accident and complaints are a flashing warning sign that need to be heeded to prevent further tragedy.

— RJ