Grieving father Lenko Baresic. Picture: KEN ROBERTSON
An awkward section of Mt Ousley Rd where a young woman died could soon be revamped thanks to a campaign for action by her grieving dad.
Earlier this year Kristen Baresic, 27, died on the northbound stretch of Mt Ousley Rd 500m south of Bellambi Creek where the old highway branches off from the newer roadway.
After his daughter's death, Lenko Baresic approached Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) seeking improvements to the road, determined to prevent other families from having to go through the kind of agony he has endured.
Mr Baresic believes Kristen may have become confused while driving along the stretch just after dark, mistakenly veering left towards the old highway.
"There were actually some markers like a red reflector still on the old roadway and you can actually just make out a white line-marking on the old roadway veering left," he said.
He believes the passenger tyre may have gone over the edge of the new tar surface, which sits several centimetres higher than the older roadway.
"She's gone slightly off the new tar and got the passenger wheel caught on the really bad section between the two roadways where there are huge potholes, and she's lost control of the car and gone through the barrier," Mr Baresic said.
Kristen was hit by several cars as she tried to cross the freeway on Mt Ousley about 500m south of Bellambi Creek after the crash.
Representatives from the RMS met Mr Baresic at the site earlier this month to discuss possible options for making the roadway safer.
"While the inspection found the road met all standards, RMS agreed to investigate resealing an area next to the northbound lane of Mt Ousley Rd about 3.7km north of Picton Rd," an RMS spokesman said.
Ideally Mr Baresic said he would like to see a reduction in the speed limit through the area, or for the old section of highway to become a rest area.
However, for now he would be happy to see the road resealed.
"At least it will make it safe; it is quite a dangerous spot," he said.
Earlier this month vandals added to Mr Baresic's grief by attacking a roadside memorial lovingly built in memory of his daughter.