COLUMBUS, Ind.— Calls for road improvements at US 31 in Taylorsville continue nearly a year after a serious crash involving a standout Columbus North basketball player.
Josh Speidel suffered a traumatic brain injury following the two-car accident at U.S. 31 and Bear Lane on Febuary 1. The Bulldog star was committed to play at the University of Vermont.
Local attorney Richard Enyon is among those leading the fight to improve the travel conditions along the stretch of road.
Enyon and an Indianapolis engineer addressed Bartholomew County Commissioners Monday providing their recommendations following an independent review.
The Columbus attorney says more lighting is a priority.
“If there were lighting it would reduce the probability of crashes tremendously,” said Eynon. “Just putting up lights would be wonderful start then we could work on other things with the experts and engineers.”
Other considerations include lowering the speed limit and improved access off of the I-65 exit ramp.
Josh Speidel’s mother, Lisa, is among those in favor of U.S. 31 improvements.
“After Josh’s accident happened and our first trip to Columbus and seeing that intersection I saw it in a whole different way,” said Lisa Speidel.
“I said we are going to on a campaign to get something changed at the intersection when I have time to focus on that. I didn’t know there were people already focusing on that for us.”