“I really plead with you to get [traffic] lights here,” said Payne, whose daughter Ashley was involved in a serious, three-car crash June 23 at the intersection of Green Level to Durham Road and Mills Park Lane.

“These intersections are awful,” she added. “We need your help. Our children are driving here, and we’re walking across this street. We need you to join hands with us and walk behind us. It’s our plea that you’ll listen to all of us.”

The Paynes said they counted themselves as fortunate. Although Ashley received injuries in the collision, which also involved a Town of Cary vehicle and a third car, she and her two younger siblings survived.

A day earlier and a few hundred yards away at the intersection of Green Level to Durham Road and Cary Glen Boulevard, Kailee Birdsong wasn’t so lucky.

Kailee, 16, was riding in a car that flipped several times after the driver reportedly swerved to avoid another vehicle. The teen, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car.

Chief Pat Bazemore of the Cary police department told council that officers were still working late last week to identify and locate the driver that struck the car in which Kailee was a passenger.

Lt. Randall Rhyne, the department’s traffic safety coordinator, said that officers “have been getting some phone calls.” He said none of the calls had produced concrete leads.

Investigators think the vehicle they’re seeking is a large, beige SUV with a box-shaped rear. Police said the vehicle likely has a black paint transfer or scrape mark on the front left bumper.

Kailee was a front-seat passenger in a Lexus driven by her mother, Melissa Kay Birdsong. The teen’s 4-year-old brother, Alexander Birdsong, was seated in the rear of the vehicle in a child restraint seat, police reported.

In response to the crash that killed Kailee, residents in and near Cary Park rallied quickly last week to draw attention to intersections along Green Level to Durham Road.

On Thursday afternoon, more than 150 people gathered along the busy road to draw attention to what they believe is a dangerous crossroads and to gather support for the installation of a traffic light they hope could save lives.

As police blocked traffic, parents and children used the crosswalks to make two laps around the intersection of Green Level to Durham Road and Cary Glen Boulevard, where Kailee Birdsong died.

Residents of Cary Park believe the intersection needs a traffic light to slow traffic and give walkers a chance to cross Green Level to Durham Road. The neighborhood is across the road from a new shopping center that includes several restaurants and a Harris Teeter.

“This is a walking community,” said Dawn Cross, a Cary Park resident who helped organize a campaign called “Light For Life.” Cross, who has lived in the neighborhood for six years, has gathered more than 800 signatures from people who want a light installed.

She had spoken with town officials about a light before the fatal accident but was told the decision would be up to the state Department of Transportation.

DOT maintains Green Level to Durham Road, while Cary Glen Boulevard is a Cary road, said Tim Bailey, director of engineering for the town. Bailey met with DOT officials Thursday to discuss what could be done at the intersection.

“We have input into that process,” Bailey said, “but ultimately it’s their decision.”

People have inquired about installing a light at the intersection in the past, but there hasn’t been enough traffic, according to the guidelines used to decide where lights are installed, Bailey said.

But the last traffic count was taken in May 2008, he said, and traffic might have increased since then. Another count will take place over the next couple of weeks.

Other possibilities for changes at the intersection include flashing lights, medians, lowered speed limit or perhaps installing four-way stop signs.

The council members present Thursday night said, whatever form it takes, they would remain committed to find a quick and effective solution.

“We want you all to know that we’re doing everything we can do,” Mayor Harold Weinbrecht said.

Bike rider Mariah Scott, 13, hopes something is done.

“It’s kind of scary,” she said about crossing the road. “You have to ride really fast.”