Updated March 16
A two-vehicle crash at the Oak Bluffs roundabout sent one motorist to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Friday morning. The person transported appeared to have non-life-threatening injuries, according to Oak Bluffs Fire and EMS Chief Nelson Wirtz.
One person was also arrested at the scene, according to Oak Bluffs Police Acting Lt. Nicholas Curelli. Jasmine Robinson was charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop for police, improper operation of a motor vehicle, speeding in violation of a special regulation, property defacement, and a marked lanes violation. At approximately 10:45 am, according to a police report, Oak Bluffs Officer Chris Wiggin was parked near the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena when he learned of multiple reports of an erratic operator driving toward Vineyard Haven on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in a white SUV with Florida plates “that was driving 80-100 mph, honking its horn, and passing numerous vehicles,” according to a report. Wiggins observed a white Hyundai SUV operated by somebody “repeatedly laying on their horn for no apparent reason and tailgating,” a report states.
Wiggins pulled behind the vehicle with lights flashing, and the SUV allegedly “accelerated rapidly and passed other vehicles ahead of it” by the high school, according to a report. Wiggins accelerated to about 60 mph, but a gap still grew between his cruiser and the SUV, according to a report.
“I observed the vehicle braking as it approached the roundabout, and I was able to close to within a few hundred feet,” a report states. “Another vehicle, a white Nissan Rogue … had entered the roundabout a little ways ahead of the suspect … The suspect vehicle entered the roundabout (a posted 15 mph zone) at 30-40 mph and attempted to pass the Nissan on the left, by cutting off a portion of the traffic circle. The roundabout has a single travel lane which surrounds an elevated section comprised of paving stones; intended for use by trucks hauling long trailers at low speeds. This section is on an angle and is not designed for vehicles to drive straight through at high speed. The suspect drove up onto this raised portion during its passing attempt. As the suspect attempted to reenter the travel lane, it collided with the left side of the Nissan. The force of the collision drove both vehicles out of the travel lane and up onto a raised median with high curbing on the west side of the roundabout; where both vehicles came to rest. I arrived a few moments later and stopped in the travel lane just beyond the western egress of the roundabout. I observed that there was air bag deployment in both vehicles, and a debris field in the road.”
The motorist who allegedly caused the crash, Robinson, was taken into custody without issue, according to a report. Wiggins noted he found no signs of drug or alcohol use.
It’s unclear if Robinson has been arraigned.
Updated with information from the police report.
Roundabouts are so dangerous, they depend on people being civil.
People need to be told what to do.
It is time for proper traffic signals and turning lanes.
Safety First
Do you remember the times with the blinking light at that intersection? The many and sometimes violent accidents. Much better now.
Way better now. Needs sculptures
Mitch– you are absolutely right. It is a spot that almost everyone who comes to the Vineyard goes through. It could look a little better.
Actually, it could look a lot better.
Sculptures are a great idea!
Luv it!
Cheers to Mitch!! Love the idea!!!
It seems to me that the fewest accidents occurred there when we had a 4-way stop, with stop signs facing each direction.
Factually wrong.
Modern roundabouts are proven safer than signals and have less daily delay.
Yes, Let’s put up stoplights at all major intersections. The triangle in Edgartown, 5 Corners, State and Vineyard Haven edgartown intersection, Circuit Ave for starters …
Really?!
Is this the first crash resulting in a person being “transported” to the hospital ?
One would assume if you are “transported” to the hospital, that’s an ambulance ride.
I don’t recall ever hearing of another crash resulting in injuries there.
Does anyone have any information about that ?
I’m certain that the rotary itself isn’t “Dangerous” it sounds like something else was going on here. Considering one person was arrested “At the scene” and ONE of the charges may be fleeing from the police!!!!
I don’t think there’s a single thing wrong with the rotary, I think it’s very functional and besides the drunk woman without a license whom just left a party during the lock down in the middle of a pandemic, and was also traveling at a high rate of speed. The moron whom went around the rotary the COMPLETE wrong way, and then this latest safe driver, I’ve never heard of an issue with “The rotary” just 3 separate people who CLEARLY SHOULDNT HAVE BEEN DRIVING TO BEGIN WITH!!
There was at least one serious moped accident there.
George Davis– I have read nearly every issue of the Times since the roundabout was built.
I do not recall seeing an article about a serious moped accident at that intersection.
I googled it in a number of ways , and came up with nothing.
Please understand that I am in no way saying you are wrong about that accident.
But could you please provide some specifics about it ?
I am inclined to agree with your assessment about the 4 way stop sign, but I do think that the very low number of minor accidents there has been worth the trade off of the traffic congestion and wasted fuel.
And to answer my own question asking if this was the first accident requiring transport to the hospital– it is not. On August 26 2013 there was a single car accident there
https://patch.com/massachusetts/marthasvineyard/singlecar-crash-at-oak-bluffs-roundabout-reported
There may be more– I just don’t know..
I was quite vocal about my opposition to the rotary when it was first suggested. I have since publicly admitted that I was wrong and apologized to the Selectmen, the Chief of Police and the Head of the DPW in Oak Bluffs. There have been, in my mind, quite a few near misses, nonetheless. Apparently many people traveling from Edgartown to Vineyard Haven, or vice-versa, feel that they can drive onto the rotary at speed, regardless of who may already be in the rotary, which is scary. I don’t see such oblivion on Barnes Road. But, again IMO, driving is much worse than it used to be Island-wide. People should SLOW DOWN and be considerate of others on the road. Nothing/nobody is worth obliterating so you can get where you’re going 2 minutes sooner.
Sarah– Kudo’s to you for first acknowledging to yourself that your opinion as to what you feared turned out to not materialize, and secondly publicly proclaim that. That is a rare trait in today’s world.
And your advice is right on the money.
But I will jokingly disagree with you that anyone could possibly get to where they were going 2 minutes sooner– It’s more likely 20 seconds sooner at the best.
Respect.
People using the road make mistakes (like speeding, running stop signs and red lights, turning left in front of oncoming traffic), always have and always will. Crashes will always be with us, but they need not result in fatalities or serious injury.
Modern roundabouts are the safest form of intersection in the world – the intersection type with the lowest risk of fatal or serious injury crashes – (much more so than comparable signals). Modern roundabouts require a change in speed and alter the geometry of one of the most dangerous parts of the system – intersections.
The reduction in speed to about 20 mph and sideswipe geometry mean that, when a crash does happen at a modern roundabout, you might need a tow truck, but rarely an ambulance. Visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or FHWA for modern roundabout FAQs and safety facts.
People who cannot safely navigate a simple roundabout should not be allowed to drive.
And then there’s that baseline fact, Rich! LOL
The roundabout is not the problem.
Inconsiderate and or intoxicated it’s the numb skulls who should not have a license or be able to get behind the wheel of a machine that has a gas pedal.
Maybe the camera tower can be relocated for live streaming.
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