Fort Worth man working to make intersection safer loses his son there

FORT WORTH — At an Aug. 26 homeowners association meeting, Rick Kubes volunteered to head a committee pushing for safety improvements to the Retreat at River Park Place entryway.

Residents believed that a wall obstructs the view of drivers pulling out of the gated development onto River Park Drive, which curves sharply as it passes the neighborhood.

“I don’t want to wait for someone to get seriously injured,” Kubes said.

Less than three weeks later, Kubes’ 31-year-old son, Jeffrey, was injured when his car was struck by another car on River Park. Police said Jeffrey Kubes pulled out in front of the other driver.

Jeffrey Kubes, an attorney, died a few hours later at a hospital. His organs were donated.

“When I said that, of course, I had no idea that it would be my son,” said Rick Kubes, owner of Kubes Jewelry in Fort Worth. “I am comforted by the fact that at least I was trying to do something about it.”

A city transportation official said Tuesday that the intersection meets city sight requirements but, since the fatal wreck, the city is evaluating the roads for possible safety improvements.

The wall was built as part of the development more than two years ago.

“They are right about the wall; it is an obstacle,” said Greg Simmons, acting director of the city Transportation Department. “We’re getting the results of the police report and will put any indications about the cause into our evaluation process.”

‘Blind curve’

Jeffrey Kubes had left a family gathering about 10:30 p.m. Sept. 13, Rick Kubes said. A relative called and told Rick and his wife, Mary, that “Jeff has been in a serious accident at the gate.”

Rick ran to the gate and found his son’s battered car pushed up against the wall.

The police report said Jeffrey Kubes’ car was hit by a Mitsubishi Eclipse going east on River Park.

The driver of the Mitsubishi was unhurt and won’t face charges connected to the crash, police said.

However, he was arrested at the scene for an out-of-town warrant.

Jeff Morrow, president of the homeowners association, said that he has narrowly avoided being broadsided at the intersection.

River Park is four lanes across and has a speed limit of 35 mph.

Residents have asked the city for help making safety improvements but were told not much could be done, he said.

“You’re pulling onto a blind curve,” Morrow said. “By the time you are halfway out, if another car comes quickly around the corner, it can catch up to you pretty fast.”

Work goes on

Rick Kubes delivered his son’s eulogy Thursday at Holy Family Catholic Church in Fort Worth.

Jeffrey Kubes, a 1995 graduate of Southwest High School, was married and worked at Perry Law Firm in Fort Worth. He loved American history, softball and Caribbean cruises. He volunteered for Tarrant County National Adoption Day.

“Jeff had a heart of gold,” his father told mourners.

Tuesday was Rick Kubes’ first day back at work. A wreath with Jeffrey Kubes’ picture sat at the front of the jewelry store.

In the back office was a piece of paper on which Rick Kubes had jotted notes about the intersection before his son’s accident.

Rick Kubes said he would keep working to make the intersection safer.

“It’s too late for my son,” he said. “But I’ll do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t happen to someone else.”