- Sandy city officials installed LED lighted stop signs at 11000 S. 1000 East.
- This follows a fatal accident involving Joshua Perry.
- Mayor Monica Zoltanski emphasized quick action for safety improvements near schools and future plans.
SANDY — Less than two weeks after a man was hit and killed while crossing a road in Sandy by a woman suspected of driving under the influence, city officials have taken measures to enhance safety at the intersection.
On Tuesday, the city installed four LED lighted stop signs at the intersection of 11000 S. 1000 East, the site where 40-year-old Joshua Perry lost his life on Jan. 15.
In a video posted to her Facebook page, Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski discussed the upgrades at the intersection, with public works crews heard in the background installing new signage.
"The first one is Sandy, so we're really proud to report this progress," she said in the video.
According to charging documents, Perry was struck by Zoe Carisa Blankenstein, 56, of Draper, who allegedly ran a stop sign and hit him.
Blankenstein was charged Thursday in 3rd District Court with automobile homicide, interfering with police, having an open container of alcohol in her vehicle, and running a stop sign, charging documents stated.
The incident sparked concerns among community members, including Josh Karr, who started a petition to encourage Sandy leaders to reevaluate potential long-term safety improvements.
"This was a tragic loss caused by impaired driving. Our city acted quickly to add visibility enhancements, not because the intersection failed standards, but because we are committed to doing everything we reasonably can to protect our community — especially near our schools," Zoltanski said in a statement sent to KSL.
Sandy city officials said installing LED stop signs is the first step in their plan to enhance safety at the intersection.
Zoltanski said she met with Karr on Tuesday and appreciated the opportunity to work with residents like him to enhance public safety on the streets, especially near schools.
"I hear the concerns of the hundreds of people who signed the petition asking for short and long-term safety solutions. Working together, we can find the appropriate option that brings greater safety to our neighborhoods," she said.
Andrew Adams, KSLAlta High School sits at the intersection where Perry was hit. While it has four stop signs, there were no stoplights prior to Tuesday.
Future plans for the intersection may depend on funding.
Kump said the city previously received federal funds from the Wasatch Front Regional Council for a roundabout project scheduled for 2030. The city could make the case for earlier funding if results from a new study show it is the best solution.
But if a different option is deemed the best solution based on any new findings, the city would likely need to explore alternative funding sources for the project.
