Mystery solved: Memorial to Ypsilanti Township crash victims re-built
The mystery of who removed the Ypsilanti Township memorial to two cousins killed in an April car crash has been solved.
On April 27, 16-year-old Caitlyn Varney and her cousin, 24-year-old Jessica Varney, were killed in a crash. Caitlyn Varney's family members said they learned another family member removed the memorial at the crash site Monday.
The crash occurred on Whittaker Road near Sea Mist when the 1999 Grand Prix driven by Jessica Varney struck a tree head-on at 8:45 a.m. Caitlyn, a Lincoln High student, died at the crash scene while Jessica, a 2002 Lincoln High graduate, died the next day. At the time, police said lack of seat belt use was a factor.
A memorial surrounding a tree marking the crash site included neon posters signed by friends of the cousins. It was in place until Monday, then was removed briefly and put back up by Caitlyn's family.
"We were surprised," said Andy O'Bryan, Caitlyn's father. "We wouldn't have taken it down without talking to (the relative)."
O'Bryan said he encouraged friends of his daughter to re-make the memorial. He said the relative told him she removed it because she felt it was time for it to come down.
Officials from the Washtenaw County Road Commission and the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department said there are no official laws or policies on the books regarding roadside memorials. The memorial is in the county Road Commission's right-of-way, a 66-foot wide stretch of road and roadside.
Steven Puuri, managing director for the county Road Commission, said roadside memorials are typically left alone unless they become distracting to drivers or block routine maintenance.
State highways have the same unofficial policy, said Kari Arend, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Transportation.
"We may need to move something because of mowing or maintenance, or if it's distracting the motorist" Arend said. "If it's a large display, we might need to move it. But we'll talk to the family or make some kind of contact first. Our ultimate goal is safety on the roadways."
Juliana Keeping is a reporter for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Aug 21, 2009 : 7:39 a.m.
the most recent posters are gone. they were gone last night, thursday, 8/20.
memyselfandi
Thu, Aug 20, 2009 : 10:54 p.m.
I'm only commenting on the basic content of this news article...which is....the answer to the question of "who removed the roadside memorial", or really, more importantly, why? I'm glad that the mystery has been solved and resolved. I too have a family member who acts upon what she feels is in the best interest of fellow family members. Her actions usually do not turn out to be appreciated or regarded as "the good-deed" that she intended. She thinks no further than to brain-storm the action's which would make things easier for her in a similar set of circumstances. This totally ignores individual preferences of other people. She really means well, and we all know it, but I can't even count the times that she has made so many situations, so much harder, for so many people....and she has acted out of love every single time. It would be so much better if, before acting, if the question were as "Would it make it easier for you if I _______, or would you rather I didn't." Or simply, don't act on behalf someone else unless you are asked to. We are all so different from one another, so that assuming is never an option. I've heard so many stories over time to this effect varying from throwing out someone's ashtray's because they said that they were going to quit smoking to disposing of the personal effect's of someone's deceased child or husband after they passed away....all in the name of making it easier for the intended party.
saddenedsis
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 11:17 p.m.
First of all....She is not just a relative. I am sure she had no intension on taking the memorial down to hurt anybody. I have driven by the memorial many times and unfortunately it looked like a bunch of garbage. The others are right that have commented about taking flowers, etc...to the cemetary where they lay to rest. The tree is very close to the road and with all of the colored paper and things on the tree and around it, is very distracting to drivers. I look at it every time I go by and it upsets me. A very close person to Jessica lives in the subdivision across from the tree. They have to stop at the stop sign and look straight at the tree EVERY DAY and think about it while they drive 1.5 hrs to work. I feel for both parents involved but I especially feel for that person!!! I wish people would think about others. There are MANY people hurt over this. Lets all stick together....thats what Jessica and Caitlyn would want. The relative that removed the things is a wonderful person with a BIG heart thinking of others. I noticed posterboard put back up and its already wet and falling down. Maybe silk flowers next to the tree or something would hold up better and not be such a distraction to drivers. This comment is not intended to upset anybody. The removal was innocent. Jess and Caitlyn RIP
Laura Bien
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 8:04 p.m.
I agree with YpsiLivin; I personally find such displays undignified. People deserve to be remembered with more than some garish posterboard and a rained-on stuffed animal. Give them a gravestone in the cemetery. Pay your respects, properly, there.
YpsiLivin
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 4:41 p.m.
I've often thought that it is ghoulish to mark the spot at which someone died. The vast majority of passersby have NO IDEA why these maudlin makeshift tributes were even constructed in the first place. If you want to memorialize the dead, do it where they rest, not where they landed.
treetowncartel
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 3:49 p.m.
wacky, I was speaking to dading and others who voiced concern over the displays. I could really care less if we identify where someone left their ghost.
ResidentAnvil
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 3:48 p.m.
I always wondered why it is alright to liter the side of a public road with teddy bears, signs, etc. I am not saying the victims' friends and families aren't aloud to show their greif, but at what point does this stuff deteriate into trash?
wacky_walrus
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 3:14 p.m.
Why is it a good alternative? The minor snafu involved in this case is hardly a social problem at all, if you ask me. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
treetowncartel
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 1:46 p.m.
In South dakota they have little markers, about the height of those reflectors along ther side of the highway, with a small sign at the top instead of the reflector. While they do not identify the individual anyone passing by is aware that someone died there. I know it involves tax money and cringe at suggesting it because of that, but that might be a good alternative.
bhall
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 1:42 p.m.
It's solved? So who exactly did what, and to whom? A family member of which girl? Not really clear. Sounds like this would have been solved days ago if more than one of the families were called... In any case, do we really need roadside memorials? Should they be up forever?
emu2009
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 1:36 p.m.
I agree with you dading and all the comments from the prior story.
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 1:32 p.m.
didn't know this was such a nail biter mystery... i think it's still a distractant and dangerous.