A mum from Reed who was involved in a horrifying crash on the A505 with her seven-month-old son in the car has said the family is still feeling the effects four years on.
Jennie Verleg got in touch with the Crow to support our campaign calling on Herts County Council to make the A505 safer between Baldock and Royston – and recounted when they were hit by a car attempting to cross the eastbound carriageway at the Odsey turning for Ashwell on a February evening in 2014.
She said: “I had just passed the speed camera and had absolutely no chance of stopping in time.
“I actually said were going to hit this car. There was a massive bang – we hit the side like it was a brick wall.
“Everything when black, and when I opened by eyes again there was smoke in the car. I had to get out and get to my baby.”
The people in the car to the left of Jennie stopped to help, she didn’t catch their names but says the family are so grateful.
They were taken to A&E at Lister Hospital in Stevenage. Fortunately they escaped serious injury, but Jenny was worst affected.
She said: “I had bruising on neck and stomach from tshe seatbelt, severe pain in my left side, it wasn’t until the days after that we really felt the pain because of the adrenaline. I now have vertigo from hitting my head.
“There was no blood, but we were all really banged up. We were lucky really – I was driving below the limit and we had a big, safe car. It could have been fatal.
“After that, we stayed with my mum. We didn’t go home for a week because we were too shaken up.
Jennie now rarely drives and had to give up running her own business after the incident.
She said: “I still remember seeing the lights of the other car and how close they were. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and have had so much therapy.”
“Changes need to happen, and roundabouts or traffic lights need to be but in. I had always thought It was a crazy road, now I am terrified of it. That crash has changed my life.”
The Crow started a petition to be presented to Herts County Council when their feasibility study for the stretch ends this month – more than 1,100 people have signed it but more can only help our cause.
You can learn more about our campaign and sign the petition by going to https://www.change.org/p/hertfordshire-county-council-make-the-a505-safer-between-royston-and-baldock
You can also support for our campaign using #MakeTheA505Safer on Facebook and Twitter @roystoncrow or email us at news@royston-crow.co.uk with your stories and comments.
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