Changes vital, says survivor

By Callan Date
A FORMER Eumemmerring resident who was lucky to survive a horrific car collision in 2005 is relieved that changes are finally occurring at a notorious intersection.
Jessica Truong, 21, suffered serious injuries in the crash which occurred at the intersection of Olive Road and Princes Highway.
Long-awaited works finally started earlier this month after years of constant requests for traffic lights to be installed.
VicRoads will spend $756,000 to install traffic signals with work expected to be completed by the end of June.
Ms Truong, who used to live only 500 metres from Olive Road, suffered a minor stroke as a result of the crash and also needed plastic surgery to repair facial scars.
“I know a lot of people that avoid the intersection so I was relived when I found out they were making changes,” she said.
Ms Truong, her family and other local residents all played a considerable part in making the authorities accept that changes to the intersection needed to happen.
A joint letter and petition was sent to River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith in 2006 urging him to take the matter up with Casey Council.
Doveton resident Danny Saric was also vocal about changes being made.
Mr Saric wrote letters to VicRoads, Casey Council and State MPs in his quest for works to be approved.
“I still have problems (from the crash) but nothing that I’m not coping with.”
VicRoads regional director Steve Brown said during the period from July 2001 until December 2007 there were 13 casualty crashes at this intersection, including one fatality.
Ms Truong’s parents, Rodney and Joan Heus, still live around the corner from the collision-prone area.
“They are just relived too and happy that hopefully there won’t be anymore accidents there.”
Ms Truong is doing her best to move on since that fateful day in August 2005.
She got married at the end of last year and has started working as a rehabilitation worker – a career she says was partly inspired by her own battle back from her horrific injuries.
“I won’t ever put it totally behind me, but I’m doing the best I can,” she said.