This intersection has garnered online debate before. Check out http://www.chaskaherald.com/community/forums/todays-topic/stoplight-seco... to see previous comments.

This is why "pedestrians have the right of way" is the wrong policy. It is *DANGEROUS* to stop for pedestrians on a 4 lane road such as 41, because it is difficult for the pedestrian to see around your vehicle, and it is difficult for other vehicles to see the pedestrian.

It's illegal, but I won't stop for a pedestrian on 41 - it's too dangerous for them. And if i'm crossing, I'll wave traffic past until there's a natural opening.

Time to tear up and sod 41 through Downtown. If this doesn't prompt action, nothing will.

The road has turned into a hazard for everyone, serving as a shortcut for cars and truck after truck after truck, instead of a method to get to Downtown Chaska.

The years-long bridge project merely streamlined that part of 41 to make it like a Hot Wheels ramp than a road. It is really tough to go 30 in that area after zooming over the river at 65 or 70.

If Chaska wants to make Downtown safe for people, plug the end of the road and finally pick a bridge crossing from 212 to 169.

I'm very sad to hear of this and will miss Mr. Meuwissen stopping by the newspaper office on his way to GA.

- Tim McGovern

I would like to share my story on hwy 41 and 2nd st. First of all about a year ago my grandmother had gotten in an accident trying to pull out onto 41 off of 2nd st. luckily no one had gotten hurt. any ways I had ran down there to make sure everyone was okay. I wanted to help with what I could. the police officer on the scene had asked if someone would go and get my grandmothers car out of the road. I volunteered to go get it, all I asked was that the officer would stop the traffic (as I know how dangerous that intersection is). The officer would not stop the traffic for me to cross, he actually just told me to walk out there and that THEY would stop, well they didn't. I even asked the officer if he knew it was illegal not to stop for peds in the cross walk as I pointed to the sign. he still refused to help, even though he was just standing there. the traffic had not even slowed with a squad car in the road. no one had stopped for me. I was very upset, there was no reason that the officer couldn't help, that is their job right?
my point is that if you can't even depend on the police officers to enforce the law, nothing will ever change. I just feel as if no one cares until something terrible happens. I also think the police need a reality check. they need to start enforcing the law and protect the residents of chaska. reguardless something needs to change downtown, highway 41 is too dangerous, the speed limit also needs to be enforced better.
god bless the family's involved in this terrible accident.

I live in downtown Chaska and this just makes me upset. Jerome was my neighbor for a couple years before moving. I always seen him walking around. People are always in a hurry to get somewhere. I cringe when I have had to walk across 41...It's a nigtmare with all the traffic.