The Tragedy
The Tragedy
It was summer vacation time. Our six year old daughter Yukta was attending a summer camp at Washington Township Recreation Center (WTRC). Like any other day, she was having a great time at the camp.
On Wednesday, July 26, 2006, we were at work when we received a phone call indicating us that the car in which Yukta was a passenger got involved in an accident. It was a call no parent wants to get, and is never prepared to hear. It sent fear into our hearts. Running from the work places, we drove separately from our respective offices to WTRC, it was a dreaded period of time that we spent in fear and prayers.
Dad reached there first and was met by a police officer; he asked "Are you the Dad?", "yes, yes". Dad asked; "Is she breathing ok ?", as he looked at closed eyes of his daughter in the car, the officer answered "no sir, we are sorry". There in front of Dad was Yukta, lying in the car lifeless, surrounded by cops and paramedics filled with despair and wearing solemn faces. Mom arrived at the scene and started screaming as she wept. Dad was crying too, trying to cope with the painful reality of the situation "Oh Yukta, no ...". Our precious daughter and a sister was gone, and there was nothing anyone could do but cry.
Just moments before our arrival at the scene, the forest green Honda Accord, in which Yukta was riding, tried to cross four lanes of traffic to get to the WTRC and was t-boned by a west-bound silver Chevrolet Aveo causing severe head injuries to Yukta and instant death.
Next day, we shared the horrifying news with Yukta's older sister Ishita (10). We watched helplessly the overwhelming pain, confusion and grief taking hold of Ishita as she began comprehending the situation. The family was utterly devastated. It is very hard to accept the fact that we will never have the warmth, laughter, love and wonderfulness of Yukta in our lives. The pain and complexity of our grief is completely indescribable.
On Friday July 28th, we went to the Funeral home for the services. That afternoon over 500 people attended Yukta's visitation. It was an afternoon filled with pain, tears, and love for such a special person, who touched so many people in her short 6 years.
We are thankful for the time we were able to share with Yukta, although it was shorter than we wanted; and the blessings and gifts we still have in our lives, although difficult to appreciate at times.
We also thank people for the love, warmth, help and for their kind words of support during this difficult time. It provided us the strength that we needed to deal with this tragedy.
On August 15, we launched an Online Petition in pursuit of a safer traffic near WTRC. Our drive and determination for mounting an online petition for a safer traffic near WTRC was driven by our belief that Yukta’s death was completely preventable. Through working with Washington Township authorities, we had discovered to our surprise that few years ago Ohio Department of Transportation had rejected several petitions related to the traffic light at that junction. We also discovered that the speed limit on that segment of the street remained unchanged for last 23 years despite the continuously increasing traffic on SR 725 due to the growth of adjoining suburbs. We believed a new petition would help in providing a safer traffic situation near WTRC. The petition had received 1,867 Signatures.
On September 1, we submitted the hardcopies of the petition along with the signatures to ODOT and Washington Township authorities. In response to the online petition, ODOT had performed a traffic study of the intersection and had determined that the best alternative is to restrict people turning left or going straight through the intersection. Hence, on Friday, October 13th, ODOT had installed a product called Qwick Kurb on this intersection to force drivers to make a right turn only out of Garnet Drive and the Recreation Center driveway. Signage was also installed restricting the movement to a right turn only.
On Wednesday, July 26, 2006, we were at work when we received a phone call indicating us that the car in which Yukta was a passenger got involved in an accident. It was a call no parent wants to get, and is never prepared to hear. It sent fear into our hearts. Running from the work places, we drove separately from our respective offices to WTRC, it was a dreaded period of time that we spent in fear and prayers.
Dad reached there first and was met by a police officer; he asked "Are you the Dad?", "yes, yes". Dad asked; "Is she breathing ok ?", as he looked at closed eyes of his daughter in the car, the officer answered "no sir, we are sorry". There in front of Dad was Yukta, lying in the car lifeless, surrounded by cops and paramedics filled with despair and wearing solemn faces. Mom arrived at the scene and started screaming as she wept. Dad was crying too, trying to cope with the painful reality of the situation "Oh Yukta, no ...". Our precious daughter and a sister was gone, and there was nothing anyone could do but cry.
Just moments before our arrival at the scene, the forest green Honda Accord, in which Yukta was riding, tried to cross four lanes of traffic to get to the WTRC and was t-boned by a west-bound silver Chevrolet Aveo causing severe head injuries to Yukta and instant death.
Next day, we shared the horrifying news with Yukta's older sister Ishita (10). We watched helplessly the overwhelming pain, confusion and grief taking hold of Ishita as she began comprehending the situation. The family was utterly devastated. It is very hard to accept the fact that we will never have the warmth, laughter, love and wonderfulness of Yukta in our lives. The pain and complexity of our grief is completely indescribable.
On Friday July 28th, we went to the Funeral home for the services. That afternoon over 500 people attended Yukta's visitation. It was an afternoon filled with pain, tears, and love for such a special person, who touched so many people in her short 6 years.
We are thankful for the time we were able to share with Yukta, although it was shorter than we wanted; and the blessings and gifts we still have in our lives, although difficult to appreciate at times.
We also thank people for the love, warmth, help and for their kind words of support during this difficult time. It provided us the strength that we needed to deal with this tragedy.
On August 15, we launched an Online Petition in pursuit of a safer traffic near WTRC. Our drive and determination for mounting an online petition for a safer traffic near WTRC was driven by our belief that Yukta’s death was completely preventable. Through working with Washington Township authorities, we had discovered to our surprise that few years ago Ohio Department of Transportation had rejected several petitions related to the traffic light at that junction. We also discovered that the speed limit on that segment of the street remained unchanged for last 23 years despite the continuously increasing traffic on SR 725 due to the growth of adjoining suburbs. We believed a new petition would help in providing a safer traffic situation near WTRC. The petition had received 1,867 Signatures.
On September 1, we submitted the hardcopies of the petition along with the signatures to ODOT and Washington Township authorities. In response to the online petition, ODOT had performed a traffic study of the intersection and had determined that the best alternative is to restrict people turning left or going straight through the intersection. Hence, on Friday, October 13th, ODOT had installed a product called Qwick Kurb on this intersection to force drivers to make a right turn only out of Garnet Drive and the Recreation Center driveway. Signage was also installed restricting the movement to a right turn only.
Although the emotional pain of losing Yukta is significant and life long, it would be even worse if we heard of another preventable injury or death near the same traffic spot, and if we had chosen to do nothing as a result of Yukta’s death. We apologize if this testimonial is uncomfortable and painful to read, it's even worse to live.
Please keep Yukta, Ishita, Arti and Hemant in all of your prayers; we need them.
Love,
Hemant and Arti - Forever Yukta's Dad and Mom
About Us
Yukta Garg Memorial Foundation
On July 26th 2006, Yukta Garg age six was tragically killed in a car accident at the entrance of the Washington Township Recreation Center.
Her tragic and unexpected death will have long lasting impacts on her family, friends, school, teammates, and our community.
As a tribute to such a wonderful little girl, and in the love and spirit of Yukta's memory, her parents (Hemant & Arti Garg) have established a non-profit organization, "Yukta Garg Memorial Foundation" (501 (c) (3)). The mission of this organization is to support philanthropic activities and causes within the community which will benefit and support the interests of children.
As another initiative towards this mission, we are helping the township in fund-raising activities towards the construction of a playground at the Rec Center. The playground will be partly funded by Yukta Garg Memorial Foundation. It will be open to the public for free. We request you to contribute generously to benefit the interests of our children in the community. All contributions will be utilized to fund the construction of this playground at the Rec Center.
Contributions may be mailed to:
P.O. Box 750081
Dayton, OH 45475-0081
Make checks payable to: Yukta Garg Memorial Foundation
Payments via Credit cards may be made by clicking the button below:
Parents mount online effort for traffic light - Dayton Daily News (08.16.06)
By Katherine Ullmer
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
WASHINGTON TWP., Montgomery County - Hemant and Arti Garg, whose 6-year-old daughter, Yukta, was killed in a traffic crash July 26 on Ohio 725 at Garnet Drive, are using an online petition to keep others from losing their loved ones.
The Web site, www.ygmf.org, is seeking signatures to pressure the Ohio Department of Transportation to install a traffic light and reduce the speed limit to 35 mph. As of Tuesday evening, 292 people had signed.
Yukta was killed as the driver of the car she was in tried to cross four lanes of traffic to get to the Washington Twp. Recreation Center.
The Web site includes a letter expressing her parents' pain at being called to the scene of the crash. The site also shows a series of photos of their daughter and family in happier times. More than 500 people attended their daughter's funeral July 28, Hemant Garg said.
Garg said he also wants to take out the cut-through in the median so no one can try to cross Ohio 725. "By doing something maybe we can prevent or reduce the number of fatalities or injuries in the future," he said.
Washington Twp. Trustee Lee Snyder said the trustees have written ODOT. "We're not giving up on it," Snyder said. The trustees are also looking into moving the rec center entrance.
"The idea is to support Lee Snyder's case to ODOT," Garg said. "It will make his case stronger."
Petition signs are pleading for action.
"Please consider this petition for the future safety of others and a dedication to Yukta Garg," said a petition signer Cindy Niekamp.
"Please put a light in so that no other family has to suffer the loss of a child or other family member," said signer Melissa Moody.
His daughter's loss " has been very hard on the family," Garg said. "It should not happen to anybody else in the future."
The Web site, www.ygmf.org, is seeking signatures to pressure the Ohio Department of Transportation to install a traffic light and reduce the speed limit to 35 mph. As of Tuesday evening, 292 people had signed.
Yukta was killed as the driver of the car she was in tried to cross four lanes of traffic to get to the Washington Twp. Recreation Center.
The Web site includes a letter expressing her parents' pain at being called to the scene of the crash. The site also shows a series of photos of their daughter and family in happier times. More than 500 people attended their daughter's funeral July 28, Hemant Garg said.
Garg said he also wants to take out the cut-through in the median so no one can try to cross Ohio 725. "By doing something maybe we can prevent or reduce the number of fatalities or injuries in the future," he said.
Washington Twp. Trustee Lee Snyder said the trustees have written ODOT. "We're not giving up on it," Snyder said. The trustees are also looking into moving the rec center entrance.
"The idea is to support Lee Snyder's case to ODOT," Garg said. "It will make his case stronger."
Petition signs are pleading for action.
"Please consider this petition for the future safety of others and a dedication to Yukta Garg," said a petition signer Cindy Niekamp.
"Please put a light in so that no other family has to suffer the loss of a child or other family member," said signer Melissa Moody.
His daughter's loss " has been very hard on the family," Garg said. "It should not happen to anybody else in the future."
Township will seek to add new traffic lights - Centerville Bellbrook Times (09.06.06)
Township will seek to add new traffic lights - Centerville Bellbrook Times (09.06.06)
By Jim Good
Times Staff Writer
Times Staff Writer
A recent traffic fatality in Washington Township has prompted renewed efforts to get a traffic light installed at Miamisburg-Centerville Road and Garnet Drive.
After the automobile death of a six-year-old girl on July 26 at the intersection of Miamisburg-Centerville road/Garnet Drive, township officials are once again petitioning the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to allow the township to place a traffic light at that dangerous intersection, said Tom Toberen, deputy administrator. The township has petitioned ODOT, the department that has the final say, to get a traffic light placed there as far back as 1989.
Toberen said that in 1989, the township sent a letter to ODOT requesting that a study be done to see if a traffic light was warranted at that intersection. ODOT responded back in 1990 that they were too busy to undertake that study, but that the township could hire someone to do the study.
That same year, the township hired Richard Oaks, a local engineer who worked with ODOT on the timing system at the traffic lights at Miamisburg-Centerville Road and McEwen Road. Oaks determined that a traffic light in fornt of the recreation center met ODOT's requirements for a traffic-light placement.
In 1992, ODOT decided to do its own study and determined that a Miamisburg-Centerville road/Garnet Drive traffic light. That request was once again turned down.
Presently, Toberen said the township wants to hire oaks again to do another study, this time concerning, among others, traffic counts and signal-timing, to once again be submitted to ODOT.
Another dangerous intersection in need of a traffic light is at McEwen Road and Congress Park Drive. Toberen said the township received a grant for approximately $70,000 through the State of Ohio for such a purpose. the township will use that grant and pay approximately $20,000 to $30,000 out of township funds to place a traffic light there. An engineer will be hired to design the traffic light. Construction will begin some time next year.
Two other areas in the township that are scheduled to get traffic lights are the intersections of Normandy Lane and Spring Valley Pike and Atchison Road and Spring Valley Pike.
The traffic lights at Normandy Lane/Spring Valley Pike are already installed and should be operational soon. The lights at Atchison Road/Spring Valley Pike will be built once an agreement between the city of Centerville, Washington Township and Montgomery County comes to terms over maintenance issues and costs. Toberen said plans are being finalized now, bids will be taken this fall and that construction will begin the first half of next year.
After the automobile death of a six-year-old girl on July 26 at the intersection of Miamisburg-Centerville road/Garnet Drive, township officials are once again petitioning the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to allow the township to place a traffic light at that dangerous intersection, said Tom Toberen, deputy administrator. The township has petitioned ODOT, the department that has the final say, to get a traffic light placed there as far back as 1989.
Toberen said that in 1989, the township sent a letter to ODOT requesting that a study be done to see if a traffic light was warranted at that intersection. ODOT responded back in 1990 that they were too busy to undertake that study, but that the township could hire someone to do the study.
That same year, the township hired Richard Oaks, a local engineer who worked with ODOT on the timing system at the traffic lights at Miamisburg-Centerville Road and McEwen Road. Oaks determined that a traffic light in fornt of the recreation center met ODOT's requirements for a traffic-light placement.
In 1992, ODOT decided to do its own study and determined that a Miamisburg-Centerville road/Garnet Drive traffic light. That request was once again turned down.
Presently, Toberen said the township wants to hire oaks again to do another study, this time concerning, among others, traffic counts and signal-timing, to once again be submitted to ODOT.
Another dangerous intersection in need of a traffic light is at McEwen Road and Congress Park Drive. Toberen said the township received a grant for approximately $70,000 through the State of Ohio for such a purpose. the township will use that grant and pay approximately $20,000 to $30,000 out of township funds to place a traffic light there. An engineer will be hired to design the traffic light. Construction will begin some time next year.
Two other areas in the township that are scheduled to get traffic lights are the intersections of Normandy Lane and Spring Valley Pike and Atchison Road and Spring Valley Pike.
The traffic lights at Normandy Lane/Spring Valley Pike are already installed and should be operational soon. The lights at Atchison Road/Spring Valley Pike will be built once an agreement between the city of Centerville, Washington Township and Montgomery County comes to terms over maintenance issues and costs. Toberen said plans are being finalized now, bids will be taken this fall and that construction will begin the first half of next year.
Toberen said the township now installs mast-arm poles as opposed to the wire-to-pole construction on former traffic lights. The mast-arm poles consist of a main pole with another pole up top that juts out at a perpendicular angle while holding the light signals directly to the pole. this type of traffic light design is recommended in the township's street enhancement guidelines.