Roundabout dedicated to teenager who died in an accident

MOUNT STERLING, Ky. (WKYT) – It’s been three years since Montgomery Co. High School junior Emilee Collins died in a crash.

Since then, Emilee’s family has been in favor of creating the Spencer Rd stretch. near Indian Mound Dr. safer.

Their hard work culminated Saturday afternoon in a dedication ceremony to officially name the roundabout the “Emilee-Grace Collins Memorial Roundabout.”

“It brings some closure, these last three and a half years, that we haven’t really had,” said Jamie Collins, Emilee’s father.

Jamie and Denise Collins’ daughter Emilee is described as an active and selfless teenager, with ambitions to become a nurse.

“The community has been great since this happened,” said Denise Collins. “When Emilee first died, they all came together and put their arms around us, and they’ve just been wonderful to us.”

Emilee’s loved ones wanted to give back to that same community. They worked with the Department of Transportation and state and local officials to convert the intersection into a roundabout.

“When we started looking at options to make that intersection safer, we explored several options, but it seemed like the roundabout was the one that would have the most impact and slow down traffic around that point,” said Rep. David. Hale (R-Wellington). “It’s a feeling of great satisfaction to see it finally happening.”

There was only one final piece missing from the rotunda, and in a room full of Emilee’s loved ones and community members, the sign was unveiled; one that will forever share the roundabout’s beloved namesake.

“Just happy, I mean her death wouldn’t be in vain, that hopefully she’ll be the last fatality,” Denise said.

While the roundabout was created in the wake of tragedy, Emilee’s family says one of the many blessings Emilee left behind is one she would have wanted as an aspiring nurse: helping others and keeping them safe.