Law enforcement will be out in force at the I-80 work zone in Johnson County as transportation officials try to figure out why several large trucks have overturned in the zone since it opened more than a week ago.
The most recent semi accident closed down I-80 westbound between the Dubuque Street exit and the Dodge Street/Highway 1 exit at about noon Tuesday, April 26. Westbound traffic was rerouted onto Highway 1 to Highway 30 west in Mount Vernon to I-380 south in Cedar Rapids. The detour was expected to be in force until the semi could be removed at about 3 p.m.
It’s a mystery why so many trucks have overturned , according to Carey Lewis, resident construction engineer for the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Manchester office. He said the DOT requested additional enforcement of traffic laws in the work zone today from the Iowa State Patrol, Johnson County Sheriff and the DOT’s Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement.
Because of a project to widen I-80 from four lanes to six, the northerly lanes of I-80 were made two-directional last month. Cutovers were opened to shift eastbound traffic from the southerly lanes to and from the northerly lanes that carry them through the construction zones.
“The unusual thing is that it seems to be in one location,” Lewis said. The location is not on the crossover portion in which the traffic changes direction to get on the northerly lanes, but on a straight stretch of pavement, Lewis explained.
Lewis said that after the first accidents, the DOT added signs warning motorists that there is no shoulder along the stretch. The DOT later added a series of traffic cones along the exterior of the paved portion of the roadway to further indicate vehicles should not stray off the paved portion.
One clear concern is that the unpaved terrain at the edge of the highway slopes away steeply, Lewis said. Another concern is that the recent wet weather has left the soil at the edge of the pavement soggy and unable to support much weight.
Why the trucks leave the pavement is less clear.
“It may be a problem of driver attention or speeding,” Lewis said. “We’re not sure we’ve got it figured out.”
Provided By: Eastern Iowa News Now
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Four Bus Accidents at One School District
Huntsville Independent School District buses were involved in four separate bus accidents this week, although no one was injured and little damage was done, say District officials. The District had been lucky so far this year, with no bus accidents occurring in which the drivers were at fault, but it appears all four of this week's minor wrecks may have been due to driver negligence.
"The district has been so fortunate and proud this school year to have had no at-fault accidents until this week," James Ringo, Director of Transportation Services at HISD, told reporters.
'Fender bender' and railroad stop arm accident occurred in Conroe on Tuesday
Two of the accidents occurred on Tuesday in Conroe. The first was a car accident in which an HISD bus rear-ended a pickup truck at about 3:30 p.m. The incident was described as a "fender bender," and apparently caused little damage. The bus was transporting Huntsville High School band students to a contest at Caney Creek High School.
Around 4:45 p.m., an HISD bus was approaching a complicated railroad crossing. As the driver pulled up to the crossing to check for oncoming trains, the railroad stop arm came down and hit the hood of the bus. HISD spokesperson Shannon Duncan assured reporters that the bus was not in the path of the oncoming train and no passengers were in danger.
Two bus accidents in Huntsville on Wednesday and Thursday
Wednesday morning at around 7:00 a.m., an HISD school bus passed a utility truck that was parked in the direction facing traffic at the intersection of Gospel Hill and Gainous roads. As the truck was in the same lane as the bus, when the bus driver turned, the tail swing of the bus hit the trailer. The bus suffered minor damage.
The fourth bus accident occurred at about 6:45 a.m. Thursday morning. An HISD bus driver apparently backed into a car at the intersection of Old Houston Road and Highway 19.
Provided By: jdsupra.com
"The district has been so fortunate and proud this school year to have had no at-fault accidents until this week," James Ringo, Director of Transportation Services at HISD, told reporters.
'Fender bender' and railroad stop arm accident occurred in Conroe on Tuesday
Two of the accidents occurred on Tuesday in Conroe. The first was a car accident in which an HISD bus rear-ended a pickup truck at about 3:30 p.m. The incident was described as a "fender bender," and apparently caused little damage. The bus was transporting Huntsville High School band students to a contest at Caney Creek High School.
Around 4:45 p.m., an HISD bus was approaching a complicated railroad crossing. As the driver pulled up to the crossing to check for oncoming trains, the railroad stop arm came down and hit the hood of the bus. HISD spokesperson Shannon Duncan assured reporters that the bus was not in the path of the oncoming train and no passengers were in danger.
Two bus accidents in Huntsville on Wednesday and Thursday
Wednesday morning at around 7:00 a.m., an HISD school bus passed a utility truck that was parked in the direction facing traffic at the intersection of Gospel Hill and Gainous roads. As the truck was in the same lane as the bus, when the bus driver turned, the tail swing of the bus hit the trailer. The bus suffered minor damage.
The fourth bus accident occurred at about 6:45 a.m. Thursday morning. An HISD bus driver apparently backed into a car at the intersection of Old Houston Road and Highway 19.
Provided By: jdsupra.com
Friday, April 15, 2011
Cows Euthanased After Fatal Crash
POLICE say four cows were euthanased after the smash that killed a man near Emerald last night.
Two officers from Anakie Police Station worked all night after being called to the scene of the truck crash at 7.30pm.
Sergeant Brad Cowell said it was “one of the nastiest” accidents he had seen in his 23 years as a police officer.
He said out of about 58 head of cattle, four didn’t survive.
The highway remains closed as council workers clear debris and diesel strewn about half a kilometre from the accident scene.
The two trucks have been taken to Emerald.
8.30am: Police say the impact of the accident that killed a man near Emerald last night was so severe two trucks landed 100m apart.
Local police said it was the worst crash they had seen.
A 40-year-old semi-trailer driver died instantly when his road train collided with a cattle truck.
Police said the crash happened on the Capricorn Highway about 6.40pm about 11km east of Anakie.
It is believed the male driver of the semi-trailer was killed instantly.
The 46-year-old driver of the cattle truck was taken to Rockhampton Hospital with serious injuries.
Authorities at the scene euthanased badly injured cattle.
The Capricorn Highway at Anakie is still closed and was expected to remain closed for several more hours.
Provided By: The Morning Bulletin
Two officers from Anakie Police Station worked all night after being called to the scene of the truck crash at 7.30pm.
Sergeant Brad Cowell said it was “one of the nastiest” accidents he had seen in his 23 years as a police officer.
He said out of about 58 head of cattle, four didn’t survive.
The highway remains closed as council workers clear debris and diesel strewn about half a kilometre from the accident scene.
The two trucks have been taken to Emerald.
8.30am: Police say the impact of the accident that killed a man near Emerald last night was so severe two trucks landed 100m apart.
Local police said it was the worst crash they had seen.
A 40-year-old semi-trailer driver died instantly when his road train collided with a cattle truck.
Police said the crash happened on the Capricorn Highway about 6.40pm about 11km east of Anakie.
It is believed the male driver of the semi-trailer was killed instantly.
The 46-year-old driver of the cattle truck was taken to Rockhampton Hospital with serious injuries.
Authorities at the scene euthanased badly injured cattle.
The Capricorn Highway at Anakie is still closed and was expected to remain closed for several more hours.
Provided By: The Morning Bulletin
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Head-On Semi Crash Injures Woman
UPDATED: Both lanes of Ohio 2 were closed and traffic was diverted for three hours late Monday night after a serious crash between a Ford Explorer and a semi-truck.
The crash occurred at 11:45 p.m. about nine miles west of Port Clinton.
According to a news release from the Sandusky post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Explorer was driven west on Ohio 2 when it went left of center, striking the International model 8600 semi-truck. The Explorer then careened off the right side of the road and down into a ditch.
Kathryn Schmidt, 48, Waynesville, was trapped in her Explorer for about 45 minutes until she could be freed using hydraulic tools. A medical helicopter rushed her to the University of Toledo Medical Center.
The driver of the semi-truck, Alonza Williams, 52, Lorain, did not suffer any injuries, but his truck had to be towed from the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
Provided By: sanduskyregister.com
The crash occurred at 11:45 p.m. about nine miles west of Port Clinton.
According to a news release from the Sandusky post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Explorer was driven west on Ohio 2 when it went left of center, striking the International model 8600 semi-truck. The Explorer then careened off the right side of the road and down into a ditch.
Kathryn Schmidt, 48, Waynesville, was trapped in her Explorer for about 45 minutes until she could be freed using hydraulic tools. A medical helicopter rushed her to the University of Toledo Medical Center.
The driver of the semi-truck, Alonza Williams, 52, Lorain, did not suffer any injuries, but his truck had to be towed from the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
Provided By: sanduskyregister.com
Friday, April 8, 2011
Truck Stuck in Tunnel
MOBILE, Alabama - No matter how many warning signs are posted for truck drivers, accidents like this seem to happen way too often at Bankhead Tunnel.
An 18-wheeler attempted to enter the Bankhead Tunnel around 9:00am Thursday morning, but was too tall to fit, and got stuck.
Amy Rogers saw the alert on our Facebook Page and wrote, "As a former truck driver, this was always on my mind... Watch the signs!!! Know how high your truck and trailer are relative to tunnels and overpasses!!!"
The Eastbound lane remained clear throughout the morning, but the Westbound lane was blocked off entirely. ALDOT soon arrived to fix the issue.
Brandy DeFelippo Crosby also saw the notice on Facebook and was one of the only people who defended the driver, writing, "It was an accident. They happen. People are so quick to verbally berate total strangers. Its disgusting. He's not the first and he certainly won't be the last to do this. He's not a complete moron or a loser. He's just human. Like YOU'VE never made a mistake."
Police cars were also on hand to direct traffic throughout the morning.
Provided By: WKRG.com Channel 5
An 18-wheeler attempted to enter the Bankhead Tunnel around 9:00am Thursday morning, but was too tall to fit, and got stuck.
Amy Rogers saw the alert on our Facebook Page and wrote, "As a former truck driver, this was always on my mind... Watch the signs!!! Know how high your truck and trailer are relative to tunnels and overpasses!!!"
The Eastbound lane remained clear throughout the morning, but the Westbound lane was blocked off entirely. ALDOT soon arrived to fix the issue.
Brandy DeFelippo Crosby also saw the notice on Facebook and was one of the only people who defended the driver, writing, "It was an accident. They happen. People are so quick to verbally berate total strangers. Its disgusting. He's not the first and he certainly won't be the last to do this. He's not a complete moron or a loser. He's just human. Like YOU'VE never made a mistake."
Police cars were also on hand to direct traffic throughout the morning.
Provided By: WKRG.com Channel 5
Truck Accident & Fatality Close I-75
DAVIE — An accident involving two semi trucks in the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 and a fatality that may have involved a pedestrian in the northbound lanes has closed the roadway in both directions between Griffin Road and Sheridan Street.
The accident happened shortly after 6 a.m. when two trucks collided on southbound I-75 south of Griffin Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The accident left debris from the trucks scattered across the roadway. One of the 18-wheelers is sitting along the right shoulder of I-75 while the second one careened into the highway's median.
Additionally, a person was struck and near the accident scene, but in the northbound lanes, according to FHP.
Whether that person was involved in the initial accident wasn't immediately known.
Motorists are being diverted away from I-75 at the Sheridan Street and Griffin Road exits.
Motorists seeking alternate routes can use Flamingo Road or U.S. 27.
Delays are expected to persist throughout the morning.
Provided By: The Palm Beach Post News
The accident happened shortly after 6 a.m. when two trucks collided on southbound I-75 south of Griffin Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The accident left debris from the trucks scattered across the roadway. One of the 18-wheelers is sitting along the right shoulder of I-75 while the second one careened into the highway's median.
Additionally, a person was struck and near the accident scene, but in the northbound lanes, according to FHP.
Whether that person was involved in the initial accident wasn't immediately known.
Motorists are being diverted away from I-75 at the Sheridan Street and Griffin Road exits.
Motorists seeking alternate routes can use Flamingo Road or U.S. 27.
Delays are expected to persist throughout the morning.
Provided By: The Palm Beach Post News
Monday, April 4, 2011
Two Fatal Accidents in One Day
The legal community in Griffith was yesterday in shock after news spread that highly regarded solicitor Steve Ward had died in one of two fatal car accidents on the district's roads on Thursday.
Mr Ward, 49, was riding a motorcycle on Burley Griffin Way, Bilbul, about 7.45pm when he collided with the passenger side of a truck which was turning into a driveway.
The impact of the collision threw Mr Ward from his bike and he died at the scene soon after.
Mr Ward, who leaves behind his wife, Michelle, and three children from a previous marriage, has been described as a man of immense compassion and good humour.
A devastated Rhys Callinan, who as well as being best man at Mr Ward's wedding last year played with him in the band Youze 3, said his great mate would be sorely missed.
"He was one of a kind, to be honest," Mr Callinan said. "He was one of those guys you could just talk to about anything.
"He was full of life and he was a talented guy. Everyone I talk to says he was a great lawyer and he played bass in the band and a bit of singing, too."
The accident came just hours after a 29-year-old man died in a single-vehicle accident, after losing control of his Nissan Navara utility on Scenic Drive, Griffith.
The man was driving north along the road at about 12.30pm when he lost control on a bend, causing the vehicle to roll over onto its roof.
The driver suffered fatal injuries in the crash.
In both instances, police from Griffith Local Area Command attended the scene and are continuing their inquiries.
There is still some confusion about the manner in which Mr Ward collided with the truck and Griffith police are urging any witnesses of the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The 30-year-old truck driver involved in the crash escaped injury and was taken to Griffith Base Hospital for mandatory blood and urine tests.
Provided By: The Daily Advertiser
Mr Ward, 49, was riding a motorcycle on Burley Griffin Way, Bilbul, about 7.45pm when he collided with the passenger side of a truck which was turning into a driveway.
The impact of the collision threw Mr Ward from his bike and he died at the scene soon after.
Mr Ward, who leaves behind his wife, Michelle, and three children from a previous marriage, has been described as a man of immense compassion and good humour.
A devastated Rhys Callinan, who as well as being best man at Mr Ward's wedding last year played with him in the band Youze 3, said his great mate would be sorely missed.
"He was one of a kind, to be honest," Mr Callinan said. "He was one of those guys you could just talk to about anything.
"He was full of life and he was a talented guy. Everyone I talk to says he was a great lawyer and he played bass in the band and a bit of singing, too."
The accident came just hours after a 29-year-old man died in a single-vehicle accident, after losing control of his Nissan Navara utility on Scenic Drive, Griffith.
The man was driving north along the road at about 12.30pm when he lost control on a bend, causing the vehicle to roll over onto its roof.
The driver suffered fatal injuries in the crash.
In both instances, police from Griffith Local Area Command attended the scene and are continuing their inquiries.
There is still some confusion about the manner in which Mr Ward collided with the truck and Griffith police are urging any witnesses of the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The 30-year-old truck driver involved in the crash escaped injury and was taken to Griffith Base Hospital for mandatory blood and urine tests.
Provided By: The Daily Advertiser
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