FISHERTOWN - A four-way intersection is being evaluated by PennDOT after Monday night's crash that took the lives of three teens.

Studying the locations of fatal crashes is a normal procedure, PennDOT spokeswoman Pam Kane said Thursday. Some changes are possible. A PennDOT risk management team surveyed the site Wednesday.

Brandi Strom, 15, Steven Mowery, 17, and Roger James McGarry III, 18, all of Bedford, died in the crash at Valley Road, where it changes to Ferguson Road, and Point Road.

Mowery, the driver and a senior at Chestnut Ridge Senior High School, pulled out from Point Road onto Valley Road and into the path of a car driven by Tracey Winegardner of Schellsburg, who was in the northbound lane, according to state police at Bedford, who are still investigating the crash.

The investigation team analyzed signs in the area. There is a "Stop Ahead" sign at the beginning of an incline on Point Road, leading to the intersection, in addition to a stop sign.

The team looks to see whether sign distance is an issue or whether or not the signs might be old or faded. They also looked to see if there were skid marks present, Kane said.

There's only so much PennDOT can do, said Jim Hughes, highway safety engineer for District 9.

"Depending on what comes out of the investigation, you could have something as far as additional signing being needed," he said. "We're not really to that point yet."

Changes could include an advisory speed limit sign recommending a lower speed limit to travel through the crossroads, similar to what is found on a lot of curve signs, Hughes said.

"That basically means it's not legal or enforceable, but this is the speed we recommend," Hughes said. "The legal speed limit can't change for every curve. You want the speed limit to be consistent for a fairly significant length."

Funding and timing of any work depends on PennDOT's recommendations.

Something like basic sign-

age would go through the local municipality - in this case, Napier Township - and depends on whether or not the proper sign is in stock. Making a physical change to the road has taken as long as six months for similar sites, although some preliminary work could be done, Hughes said.

Despite the fatal crash, the intersection has a clean track record, Kane said.

Four crashes, none fatal, had been reported during the last 10 years. Most of the crashes included minor injuries and property damage.

"That's pretty low," Kane said.

The last review of the road occurred in 2007. Point Road was an unposted road, meaning a 55 mph speed limit. After the review, the speed was posted at 45 mph. Valley Road is also posted 45 mph.

Kane, herself a mother of a 19-year-old, said PennDOT would do "whatever needs to be done."

"I really can't even imagine," she said of the tragedy that unfolded just a few miles from the high school that will have two empty seats this school year. "It's just sad. We wish it didn't have to happen."

Mirror Staff Writer Wendy McCardle is at 946-7520.