By J.G. WALLACE

A tragic Wells County crash in late August that claimed the lives of Berne residents Art and Gloria Muselman coupled with a dramatic increase in traffic at the intersection where the crash occurred prompted a rapid response from state officials.

Stacie McCormick, the Public Information Officer for the Indiana Department of Transportation's Fort Wayne District confirmed that INDOT will be transitioning the intersection of State Road 1 and State Road 218 in Reiffsburg as a four-way stop.

McCormick said following the crash involving the Muselmans both INDOT officials and Gov. Mitch Daniels heard from numerous residents and local officials who were concerned about the troubled intersection.

McCormick said there have always been some concerns about the intersection, but those concerns rose sharply following the fatal crash. "In recent weeks there have been more concerns brought to our attention," McCormick said.

McCormick said the department's response to the issue was, "a bit expedited." INDOT expects the changes to be fully implemented by late-October.

INDOT officials also were concerned because recent traffic studies demonstrated an increase in traffic at the intersection.

In 2003 INDOT determined that an average of 2,814 cars went through the intersection in a 12-hour time frame. A 2007 traffic study showed 3,396 cars passing through in a 12-hour time frame.

Some of the improvements planned for the intersection will include double stop ahead signs 1,000 feet from the intersection, along with the installation of a red flashing light as opposed to the current amber light.

For the first few weeks following the change red flags will be added to the stop ahead signs, McCormick said. "INDOT will work to remind motorists of the change," McCormick said.

Local officials expressed gratitude for the change and for a swift response from INDOT. "That's great, that is just what we wanted," said Wells County Sheriff Bob Frantz.

Frantz said he was pleasantly surprised by the rapid action by INDOT and said some of the credit for the response from Indianapolis should be given to Wells County Commissioner Kevin Woodward, who lobbied state officials for action.

Frantz said he considered the intersection to be one of the most dangerous ones in Wells County, due to visibility issues from some approaches.

Frantz said he believes the small hill on 218 to the east of the intersection gave some westbound motorists a visual impairment as they entered the intersection.

Frantz also said he thinks the approach on 218 is particularly confusing for non-local motorists, who often assume all lanes stop, when in fact there are signs noting that opposing traffic does not stop.

Commissioner Kevin Woodward said he too was pleased with INDOT's fast response and with the decision to change the intersection.

"That would be good, it's what I think is needed there," Woodward said. "It's a good way to go. It's what needed to happen there and it's unfortunate that for things to get done it took a tragedy."

Woodward added, "I really appreciate the fast response from INDOT. We have a good relationship with them here, and they really did get right on this issue."

Roger Muselman, the couple's son said the entire family was thankful for the change and for INDOT's fast response.

"We are so thankful that INDOT and the governor listened," Muselman said. "Hopefully it will save lives in the future."

Muselman said he and his family went to the crash site and prayed that the intersection would be changed to a four-way stop, and prayed that lives in the future could be saved by that action.

Muselman himself has been there a half-dozen times since the fatal crash five weeks ago to the day. He said traffic doesn't slow down, especially trucks on State Road 1, and that the existing markings and sign placement is too far back for drivers on 218 to see the intersection.

Muselman said he is very impressed that within 60 days of the crash the intersection would be changed.

Muselman said the change by INDOT would be a small good thing that comes out of his parents' death, but that many other good things have already come from the loss.

"This has changed many lives already," Muselman said. "The shock of losing two loved ones at once, especially people as wonderful as my parents, has changed lives. We know some good has come out of this already."

"We miss them so much," Muselman said. "We miss them everyday."

It was five weeks ago, late on the afternoon of August 30, 2007 the Bluffton Dispatch Center received numerous calls reporting a serious accident on 1 and 218 involving a minivan and a First Fleet semi truck and trailer.

The crash claimed the lives of Arthur K. Muselman, 77, and his wife Gloria E. Muselman, 78, of Berne, who was driving.

Eugene M. Hackler, 51, of Union City, Ind., was driving southbound on State Road 1 in First Fleet semi-truck. As he approached the flashing traffic signal at the intersection, a white minivan heading eastbound on 218 pulled into his path.

Hackler attempted to brake and steered to avoid the collision but he was unable to avoid striking the minivan which was driven by Gloria Muselman.

The semi truck ended up in a ditch on the southeast corner of the intersection, and the Muselman's minivan ended up off the roadway on the southwest corner of the intersection.

It took rescue crews more than five hours to remove the semi-truck from the crash scene as it was "buried" in the ditch. The crash also toppled a utility pole and downed power lines, and a SBC phone utility box was destroyed by the impact.

Art Muselman was a prominent Berne businessman and the couple was involved in many community organizations and charitable causes.

Muselman had come over from Berne with his son Roger to play in the annual Caylor-Nickel Foundation's charity golf outing.

Roger's son, Mark, had a football game at Eastbrook High School Thursday evening, hence, the pair left Bluffton immediately after the golf portion of the outing and met Roger's wife, Naomi and Gloria Muselman at Reiffsburg.

Roger and Naomi drove west from there to Eastbrook while Gloria and Art were returning to Berne.

jgwallace@news-banner.com