'Always in danger of getting hit.' Residents say traffic light approved by DOT, but not installed, is desperately needed

Community members say a traffic light in Elwood has been approved - but still has not been installed.
The location at Jericho Turnpike and Verleye Avenue was also the site of a fatal crash on Saturday where a 23-year-old passenger died. The driver was charged with DWI.
The owner of a nearby 7-Eleven, Manisha Mehta, says he was not surprised to hear about the deadly accident over the weekend.
"Every day, me and my customers, when they come out of this intersection, we are always in danger of getting hit by something," Mehta says.
He wrote letters to the state Department of Transportation to get a traffic signal installed, which got approval in 2021. However, it still hasn't been put up.
Residents say a light has been needed at the intersection for years.
"I used to be a volunteer fireman in Commack and my first call, somebody got killed there," said Franko Rasweiler Jr., of Elwood. "At that intersection back in like 1977."
The DOT issued a statement to News 12, reading in part, "The New York State Department of Transportation continues to advance plans for a traffic signal at the intersection of State Route 25 and Verleye Avenue in Elwood and expects to begin installation later this year."
The DOT also said it would not comment on Saturday's accident because of the ongoing police investigation.