THE Transport Workers’ Union has today called on the state government to amend WorkCover legislation in light of the latest truck accident on the notorious Range section of the Warrego Highway.
Yesterday a Freightliner transporting grain lost its trailer on the Range section of the Warrego Highway heading from Toowoomba to Brisbane.
Grain was spread across two lanes for 400m, forcing one lane to be closed from 3.40pm until 8pm.
“Luckily the driver walked away uninjured — but every truck accident is unacceptable,” TWU secretary Peter Biagini said.
“If an accident of the magnitude of yesterday’s crash had affected a worker on a building site, or in a mine, or on a farm, or in an office, WorkCover would be all over it.
“WorkCover needs to investigate the crash and accept that truck accidents are actually workplace accidents.
“This is an OH&S issue and needs to be treated as such.”
Mr Biagini said the chain of responsibility needed to be enforced at every level to ensure these types of accidents were prevented in the future.
“It is clear the government must legislate to fix this anomaly in our OH&S system,” he said.
“Safety on our roads will only improve if the WorkCover investigates every incident involving professional drivers.
“Our members and the travelling public deserve better.”
He said with the Toowoomba Regional TWU office set to open this Friday, newly-appointed organiser Brendan Bogle would be on the ground to defend the drivers’ and community’s interests.
Provided By: The Daily News
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Highway Deathtrap
The Badshahpur-Sohna road, which connects Gurgaon with the National Highway No. 2, has turned into a death trap as 15 people have been killed in different accidents in the last one week. Due to frequent movements of heavy vehicles during night and violations of traffic rules such as over-speeding and over-loading by trucks, this road has become one of the most dangerous stretches in Gurgaon.
Some victims of the accident who lost their lives on Monday have been identified as Patu (70), Preeti (18), Laxmi (35), Sonu (24), Mohammad Tahir (24) and Umar Mohhmad (45).
The injured were cab driver Akthar (40), Shivnarayan (truck driver), Kamlesh (35), Dhamnder (18), Neelam (40), Jeetu (18), Narander (24), Kashbu (18), Hukamchand (30), Ranjeet (21) and Sanjeev (25).
A large number of motorists use the Sohna road which has high-rise residential and commercial buildings including malls and office complexes along its sides.
At Rajiv Chowk, the route, which connects Gurgaon Expressway with Mathura Road (NH-2), is used by the trucks transporting construction materials to and from the city.
Although the road is being widened to eight lanes by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda), experts say it will not help unless the movement of overloaded trucks on this stretch is banned.
“There are strict laws to restrict the amount of goods a heavy vehicle can carry. If authorities allow overloaded trucks to ply, it is because they are in collusion with the truckers,” said SP Singh, senior research fellow at the Indian Federation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT).
According to IFTRT, half of 1.30 lakh people who die in road fatalities are in accidents caused by overloaded trucks.
DCP (traffic) Bharti Arora said: “We started fining trucks for over-speeding and were hoping to put a break on accidents. Unfortunately, another accident took place today (Monday). We need to think seriously about the movement of heavy vehicle on this road.”
“We will inspect the spot and try to find out if there are road engineering faults that need to be fixed,” she added.
According to Gurgaon police, most of the heavy vehicles involved in accidents are not in good condition and it is the mechanical faults which often lead to accident.
“Even today’s accident could have been due to mechanical failure. We were told that the steering wheel of the truck got stuck. We are planning to book truck owners if accident is caused due to a mechanical fault,” Arora added.
Provided By: hindustantimes.com
The injured were cab driver Akthar (40), Shivnarayan (truck driver), Kamlesh (35), Dhamnder (18), Neelam (40), Jeetu (18), Narander (24), Kashbu (18), Hukamchand (30), Ranjeet (21) and Sanjeev (25).
A large number of motorists use the Sohna road which has high-rise residential and commercial buildings including malls and office complexes along its sides.
At Rajiv Chowk, the route, which connects Gurgaon Expressway with Mathura Road (NH-2), is used by the trucks transporting construction materials to and from the city.
Although the road is being widened to eight lanes by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda), experts say it will not help unless the movement of overloaded trucks on this stretch is banned.
“There are strict laws to restrict the amount of goods a heavy vehicle can carry. If authorities allow overloaded trucks to ply, it is because they are in collusion with the truckers,” said SP Singh, senior research fellow at the Indian Federation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT).
According to IFTRT, half of 1.30 lakh people who die in road fatalities are in accidents caused by overloaded trucks.
DCP (traffic) Bharti Arora said: “We started fining trucks for over-speeding and were hoping to put a break on accidents. Unfortunately, another accident took place today (Monday). We need to think seriously about the movement of heavy vehicle on this road.”
“We will inspect the spot and try to find out if there are road engineering faults that need to be fixed,” she added.
According to Gurgaon police, most of the heavy vehicles involved in accidents are not in good condition and it is the mechanical faults which often lead to accident.
“Even today’s accident could have been due to mechanical failure. We were told that the steering wheel of the truck got stuck. We are planning to book truck owners if accident is caused due to a mechanical fault,” Arora added.
Provided By: hindustantimes.com
Monday, March 28, 2011
17 Motorists Killed
Police blame speeding and reckless driving as 17 people are killed in yet another horrific road accident to hit the country in a span of less than seven days.
The road carnage ghost continues to haunt the country with recent ghastly accidents in Bagamoyo claiming 17 lives and leaving 18 people with serious injuries in a single night.
On Friday night, along the Dar es Salaam-Morogoro road, two accidents occurred in a span of five hours, with the bodies of the victims remaining un-evacuated for more than eight hours.
Coast regional police commander, Absalom Mwakyoma said the first accident occurred at Mbala near Chalinze at 10 pm where 14 people died on the spot, leaving 12 others seriously injured.
The mishap, according to Mr Mwakyoma, took place when a min-bus heading to Dar es Salaam from Morogoro hit a semi-trailer at the back, sending the bus rolling.
“The driver of the Coaster bus was speeding and he suddenly met another, car which hit it, leading to the catastrophe,” he said.
The victims were identified as Gift Charles, Charles Mhando ,35, Amina Said ,35, Ediluck Mluge ,28, Rajabu Mnyalikwa ,35, and Salehe Rashid ,21; while other bodies were yet to be identified and were still lying at the Tumbi hospital mortuary, police said.
The survivors were identified as Mkunduge Mganga ,29, Godwin Sakarani ,55, Haruni Mgangaruma ,24, Khalid Hamza ,29, Edwin Mbele ,49, Madaraka Rashid ,42, Leonard Mkoba ,45, Ester Shija ,38, Juma Omary ,29, and Justine Methew ,31. They were all admitted at the Tumbi hospital.
Two unidentified survivors with serious conditions were transferred to Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam for further treatment.
The RPC said the second accident happened at the Ubena-Zomozi area in the highway at around 4am, and instantly killed three people.
The cars involved included a Scania lorry laden with wood cargo from Iringa, which clashed with a Fuso vehicle, and then went on to collide with another Fuso, leading to the death of all people in the front cabin of the second Fuso.
The dead were named as Rober Luwena ,30, Miraji Mwinyi ,22, and the third person only identified as Joseph. Their bodies were also kept at Tumbi hospital.
The survivors were identified as Antony Matende, Amani Hamis,28,, Myemo Hamisi ,19, Ibrahimu Zakayo,42, Charles Mhina,42, and Leokadia Leonard ,24. Their conditions were reported as stable.
The drivers of the Coaster bus and the Scania lorry escaped, and the police were still searching for them.
Tumbi Hospital’s information officer, Rose Mtei confirmed they had received the bodies of the victims and the injured ones.
The Bagamoyo accidents are the latest to hit the country in a growing spate of road carnages attributed to speeding or reckless driving.
On Sunday night, thirteen members of the Dar es Salaam-based Five Star Modern Taarab group were killed in another grisly road crash at Mikumi in Morogoro Region.
Three days later three people were killed after two vehicles collides, also in Morogoro Region.
Provided By: The Citizen
The road carnage ghost continues to haunt the country with recent ghastly accidents in Bagamoyo claiming 17 lives and leaving 18 people with serious injuries in a single night.
On Friday night, along the Dar es Salaam-Morogoro road, two accidents occurred in a span of five hours, with the bodies of the victims remaining un-evacuated for more than eight hours.
Coast regional police commander, Absalom Mwakyoma said the first accident occurred at Mbala near Chalinze at 10 pm where 14 people died on the spot, leaving 12 others seriously injured.
The mishap, according to Mr Mwakyoma, took place when a min-bus heading to Dar es Salaam from Morogoro hit a semi-trailer at the back, sending the bus rolling.
“The driver of the Coaster bus was speeding and he suddenly met another, car which hit it, leading to the catastrophe,” he said.
The victims were identified as Gift Charles, Charles Mhando ,35, Amina Said ,35, Ediluck Mluge ,28, Rajabu Mnyalikwa ,35, and Salehe Rashid ,21; while other bodies were yet to be identified and were still lying at the Tumbi hospital mortuary, police said.
The survivors were identified as Mkunduge Mganga ,29, Godwin Sakarani ,55, Haruni Mgangaruma ,24, Khalid Hamza ,29, Edwin Mbele ,49, Madaraka Rashid ,42, Leonard Mkoba ,45, Ester Shija ,38, Juma Omary ,29, and Justine Methew ,31. They were all admitted at the Tumbi hospital.
Two unidentified survivors with serious conditions were transferred to Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam for further treatment.
The RPC said the second accident happened at the Ubena-Zomozi area in the highway at around 4am, and instantly killed three people.
The cars involved included a Scania lorry laden with wood cargo from Iringa, which clashed with a Fuso vehicle, and then went on to collide with another Fuso, leading to the death of all people in the front cabin of the second Fuso.
The dead were named as Rober Luwena ,30, Miraji Mwinyi ,22, and the third person only identified as Joseph. Their bodies were also kept at Tumbi hospital.
The survivors were identified as Antony Matende, Amani Hamis,28,, Myemo Hamisi ,19, Ibrahimu Zakayo,42, Charles Mhina,42, and Leokadia Leonard ,24. Their conditions were reported as stable.
The drivers of the Coaster bus and the Scania lorry escaped, and the police were still searching for them.
Tumbi Hospital’s information officer, Rose Mtei confirmed they had received the bodies of the victims and the injured ones.
The Bagamoyo accidents are the latest to hit the country in a growing spate of road carnages attributed to speeding or reckless driving.
On Sunday night, thirteen members of the Dar es Salaam-based Five Star Modern Taarab group were killed in another grisly road crash at Mikumi in Morogoro Region.
Three days later three people were killed after two vehicles collides, also in Morogoro Region.
Provided By: The Citizen
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Distracted Teen Drivers
There have been a string of car wrecks involving young drivers in and around North Carolina (NC) and South Carolina (SC). For example, an accident occurred when a 20-year-old driver fell asleep at the wheel on Greenville Boulevard. Another recent example was a 17-year-old driver who was involved in a wreck while speeding on Thomas Langston Road. Finally, an 18-year-old crossed the center line on Cemetery Road resulting in a crash.
All of these Carolina car accidents featured teen drivers who had more than two people in the car at the time of the wreck, according to wnct.com.
"There’s a lot of distractions in the backseat. They want to talk and the driver wants to pay attention to what's going on inside the vehicle," said NC State Trooper Megan Kongs, according to the wnct.com article.
State Trooper Kongs also mentioned cell phones, GPS, and radio as contributing factors to teenaged drivers being more distracted than the previous generation of young drivers. If you are a parent with a teenager who is gearing up to get behind the wheel of a car, truck, or SUV take the time to emphasize how important it is to remain focused and vigilant while driving.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group. In 2007, eleven teens ages 16 to 19 died every day from injuries in accidents involving cars, trucks, and SUVs. We have to change this trend. I fear these numbers may get worse as more young drivers join the driving world with electronic devices buzzing in their ears along with the apparently limitless desire to text.
We need to return to the fundamentals and stress that driving is a privilege that must be respected by everyone who possesses a license, especially individuals with a newly minted license who are still figuring out how to properly operate a vehicle.
Provided By: BlogNewtwork
Learn more about trucking laws at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
All of these Carolina car accidents featured teen drivers who had more than two people in the car at the time of the wreck, according to wnct.com.
"There’s a lot of distractions in the backseat. They want to talk and the driver wants to pay attention to what's going on inside the vehicle," said NC State Trooper Megan Kongs, according to the wnct.com article.
State Trooper Kongs also mentioned cell phones, GPS, and radio as contributing factors to teenaged drivers being more distracted than the previous generation of young drivers. If you are a parent with a teenager who is gearing up to get behind the wheel of a car, truck, or SUV take the time to emphasize how important it is to remain focused and vigilant while driving.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group. In 2007, eleven teens ages 16 to 19 died every day from injuries in accidents involving cars, trucks, and SUVs. We have to change this trend. I fear these numbers may get worse as more young drivers join the driving world with electronic devices buzzing in their ears along with the apparently limitless desire to text.
We need to return to the fundamentals and stress that driving is a privilege that must be respected by everyone who possesses a license, especially individuals with a newly minted license who are still figuring out how to properly operate a vehicle.
Provided By: BlogNewtwork
Learn more about trucking laws at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Horror Crashes
Two truck accidents on the South Western Highway, in Donnybrook and Boyanup, including one fatality, and a rollover on the Boyup Brook Road, have prompted Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray to call for more money to be spent on roads in the region.
Mr Murray said it was his understanding local government road funding had been reduced dramatically.
“The extremely annoying part is that unbudgeted money has been found for a widening of the Perth freeway,” Mr Murray said.
“Around $200 million has been found for Perth, while we have roads that aren’t up to standard to carry produce that is vital to many of the industries in the South West.
“The government seems to be overlooking the real issues. The widening of the freeway is certainly not about road trauma or accidents, it’s about frustrated people who have to slow down to go to work.”
Mr Murray said the issue of rail versus trucks on roads should be addressed.
“If the rail is not going to go ahead as I think the government has made its decision, then the equivalent amount of money should be allocated for roads in this region,” he said.
“Main roads and the Minister for Police should have an enquiry into this latest spate of truck crashes.”
The first of last week’s accidents occurred at 1.30pm last Tuesday when a load of logs spilled onto the side of the Donnybrook-Boyup Brook Road.
The trailer of the log truck tipped over onto its side and lost the load of logs, some of which crashed into a power pole, resulting in live powerlines falling onto the road.
Donnybrook police closed the road until Western Power disconnected the lines.
SRS and Main Roads engineers both visited the site to assess damage to the bridge and road surface, and Donnybrook Fire Service volunteers attended to put out a grass fire.
Provided By: donnybrookmail.com
Learn more about trucking law at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Police Log: Multi Accidents
8:56 a.m. The fire department responded to an odor of gas inside the Senior Center.
10:31 a.m. Austin Preparatory School reported an ongoing problem with a loose black dog. A lieutenant monitored the area through recess and did not see the dog. The lieutenant planned to check the area again later.
10:15 a.m. A caller reported that the driver of a bucket truck at the Shell Station on Walkers Brook Drive may have been drunk. An officer stopped the driver, and found no sign of either alcohol or impaired driving.
2:27 p.m. The lieutenant returned to Austin Preparatory School to monitor the area as students were released.
2:49 p.m. Police responded to a two-vehicle collision between a Somerville driver and a Lexington driver near 650 Main Street. The drivers were reportedly arguing. An officer assisted them with paperwork.
3:52 p.m. A Grove Street woman reported that someone was using her identity in emails.
4:30 p.m. A Main Street resident reported that someone took out a Sears credit card in his name.
4:32 p.m. A Bancroft Avenue resident reported that someone broke into his home, stole a Play Station video game system along with games and peripherals for the system, valued at a total of $500.
5:10 p.m. An officer left a note for the day shift to notify the Department of Public Works of multiple potholes on South Street between Curtis and Main.
5:39 p.m. An officer left a note for the day shift to notify the Department of Public Works of a pothole near the intersection of West Street and Summer Avenue.
6:14 p.m. An officer checked the area near Sunnyside Avenue for suspicious activity.
6:30 p.m. Police responded to a report of a Reading man reportedly “out of control” at a Main Street residence. The man was taken to Winchester Hospital.
7:43 p.m. An employee at Austin Preparatory School reported an ongoing problem with a black dog on the premises. The caller reported that the dog jumped on a bag of trash as a custodian was taking it out of the building. The dog did not bite the man and fled before police arrived.
10:12 p.m. Police responded to a car accident near the intersection of Main Street and Locust Street where a Reading driver struck a pole. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
Thursday, March 17
12:05 a.m. An Intervale Terrace resident reported hearing an unknown screeching sound. Police checked the area but did not hear or find anything
3:05 a.m. An 81-year-old woman called reporting chest pains. The woman, who has history of cardiac issues, was transported to Lahey Clinic.
7:24 a.m. An officer sent a note to DPW regarding potholes at two intersections: South and Curtis streets and West Street and Summer Avenue.
9:16 a.m. A Dudley Street resident reported a Black Chrysler was driving around the area suspiciously. The resident followed the car until Birch Meadow School. A police officer checked out the area but was unable to locate the vehicle.
11:26 a.m. A Riverside Drive resident called to update police on an investigation of items stolen from her car. The resident told police she had located several of the items at Washington Park, most likely due to the snow melting away. The caller also reported a few items she had forgotten to mention during her original call.
11:45 a.m. An officer assisted a Winthrop Avenue resident with a broken ankle who ended up locked out of her house.
12:54 p.m. Officers responded to the scene of a two-car accident between a white Mercedes and a black Honda at the intersection of Main Street and Birch Meadow Drive. No medical assistance was requested for the involved drivers, both of Reading.
12:59 p.m. Just minutes after the previous incident, another two-car accident happened at the corner of Main Street and Birch Meadow Drive. This time, a Jeep and a Mercedes were involved and neither party—one of Reading, another of Stoneham—requested medical attention.
1:12 p.m. Patrick H. Hughes, 21, of Reading, was given a summons on accusations of operating under the influence of drugs, driving to endanger and leaving the scene of property damage.
According to the police report, the charges stem from an incident where Hughes allegedly crashed into a building at 30 Haven St. and attempted to flee the scene.
2:19 p.m. Police received a report of a wallet that had fallen off a car at 110 Main St. near the Shell Station.
2:45 p.m. A small dog and its owner were reunited after someone reported finding the animal on Minot Street.
3:48 p.m. Police responded to a call at Rite Aid Pharmacy, 25 Haven St., reporting two suspicious males attempting to return items believed to be stolen. According to the police report, the males brought in a receipt from December and were last seen headed up Green Street.
4:20 p.m. A Reading Memorial High School student reported receiving threatening phone calls from an unknown female.
5:56 p.m. An officer noticed a hole near Catch Basin that may need attention and left a note for the Department of Public Works.
5:57 p.m. A caller reported seeing a black Labrador running in and out of traffic on Haverhill Street near the North Reading border. Officers were unable to locate the animal.
7:34 p.m. A Reading woman told police she had been victim of a hit-and-run accident in Wilmington. She was told to notify the Wilmington Police Department.
8:08 p.m. Police received a report of a items stolen from a work van while it was in Wakefield. The reporter was advised to contact the Wakefield Police Department.
8:37 p.m. A caller reported a driver possibly under the influence on Salem Street.
8:41 p.m. Alexander V. Cerquiera, 19, of North Reading, was arrested on a charge of operating under the influence of drugs. Cerquiera was released on $40 bond and summonsed to Woburn District Court.
9:20 p.m. Police received a report of a hit-and-run on Main Street near King’s Complete Auto. The vehicle, described as a white Mercedes, was last seen headed north on Main Street.
11:16 p.m. A Reading woman reported her 20-year-old daughter left the residence and was possibly suicidal. The mother said the 20-year-old emptied a bottle of pills and took the items with her, also possibly carrying a knife. After a search of the area the involved several officers, the woman was found on Lewis Street. She refused medical treatment, but was taken to Pustorino Residence for the night.
Provided By:Reading Patch
Learn more about trucking laws at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
10:31 a.m. Austin Preparatory School reported an ongoing problem with a loose black dog. A lieutenant monitored the area through recess and did not see the dog. The lieutenant planned to check the area again later.
10:15 a.m. A caller reported that the driver of a bucket truck at the Shell Station on Walkers Brook Drive may have been drunk. An officer stopped the driver, and found no sign of either alcohol or impaired driving.
2:27 p.m. The lieutenant returned to Austin Preparatory School to monitor the area as students were released.
2:49 p.m. Police responded to a two-vehicle collision between a Somerville driver and a Lexington driver near 650 Main Street. The drivers were reportedly arguing. An officer assisted them with paperwork.
3:52 p.m. A Grove Street woman reported that someone was using her identity in emails.
4:30 p.m. A Main Street resident reported that someone took out a Sears credit card in his name.
4:32 p.m. A Bancroft Avenue resident reported that someone broke into his home, stole a Play Station video game system along with games and peripherals for the system, valued at a total of $500.
5:10 p.m. An officer left a note for the day shift to notify the Department of Public Works of multiple potholes on South Street between Curtis and Main.
5:39 p.m. An officer left a note for the day shift to notify the Department of Public Works of a pothole near the intersection of West Street and Summer Avenue.
6:14 p.m. An officer checked the area near Sunnyside Avenue for suspicious activity.
6:30 p.m. Police responded to a report of a Reading man reportedly “out of control” at a Main Street residence. The man was taken to Winchester Hospital.
7:43 p.m. An employee at Austin Preparatory School reported an ongoing problem with a black dog on the premises. The caller reported that the dog jumped on a bag of trash as a custodian was taking it out of the building. The dog did not bite the man and fled before police arrived.
10:12 p.m. Police responded to a car accident near the intersection of Main Street and Locust Street where a Reading driver struck a pole. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
Thursday, March 17
12:05 a.m. An Intervale Terrace resident reported hearing an unknown screeching sound. Police checked the area but did not hear or find anything
3:05 a.m. An 81-year-old woman called reporting chest pains. The woman, who has history of cardiac issues, was transported to Lahey Clinic.
7:24 a.m. An officer sent a note to DPW regarding potholes at two intersections: South and Curtis streets and West Street and Summer Avenue.
9:16 a.m. A Dudley Street resident reported a Black Chrysler was driving around the area suspiciously. The resident followed the car until Birch Meadow School. A police officer checked out the area but was unable to locate the vehicle.
11:26 a.m. A Riverside Drive resident called to update police on an investigation of items stolen from her car. The resident told police she had located several of the items at Washington Park, most likely due to the snow melting away. The caller also reported a few items she had forgotten to mention during her original call.
11:45 a.m. An officer assisted a Winthrop Avenue resident with a broken ankle who ended up locked out of her house.
12:54 p.m. Officers responded to the scene of a two-car accident between a white Mercedes and a black Honda at the intersection of Main Street and Birch Meadow Drive. No medical assistance was requested for the involved drivers, both of Reading.
12:59 p.m. Just minutes after the previous incident, another two-car accident happened at the corner of Main Street and Birch Meadow Drive. This time, a Jeep and a Mercedes were involved and neither party—one of Reading, another of Stoneham—requested medical attention.
1:12 p.m. Patrick H. Hughes, 21, of Reading, was given a summons on accusations of operating under the influence of drugs, driving to endanger and leaving the scene of property damage.
According to the police report, the charges stem from an incident where Hughes allegedly crashed into a building at 30 Haven St. and attempted to flee the scene.
2:19 p.m. Police received a report of a wallet that had fallen off a car at 110 Main St. near the Shell Station.
2:45 p.m. A small dog and its owner were reunited after someone reported finding the animal on Minot Street.
3:48 p.m. Police responded to a call at Rite Aid Pharmacy, 25 Haven St., reporting two suspicious males attempting to return items believed to be stolen. According to the police report, the males brought in a receipt from December and were last seen headed up Green Street.
4:20 p.m. A Reading Memorial High School student reported receiving threatening phone calls from an unknown female.
5:56 p.m. An officer noticed a hole near Catch Basin that may need attention and left a note for the Department of Public Works.
5:57 p.m. A caller reported seeing a black Labrador running in and out of traffic on Haverhill Street near the North Reading border. Officers were unable to locate the animal.
7:34 p.m. A Reading woman told police she had been victim of a hit-and-run accident in Wilmington. She was told to notify the Wilmington Police Department.
8:08 p.m. Police received a report of a items stolen from a work van while it was in Wakefield. The reporter was advised to contact the Wakefield Police Department.
8:37 p.m. A caller reported a driver possibly under the influence on Salem Street.
8:41 p.m. Alexander V. Cerquiera, 19, of North Reading, was arrested on a charge of operating under the influence of drugs. Cerquiera was released on $40 bond and summonsed to Woburn District Court.
9:20 p.m. Police received a report of a hit-and-run on Main Street near King’s Complete Auto. The vehicle, described as a white Mercedes, was last seen headed north on Main Street.
11:16 p.m. A Reading woman reported her 20-year-old daughter left the residence and was possibly suicidal. The mother said the 20-year-old emptied a bottle of pills and took the items with her, also possibly carrying a knife. After a search of the area the involved several officers, the woman was found on Lewis Street. She refused medical treatment, but was taken to Pustorino Residence for the night.
Provided By:Reading Patch
Learn more about trucking laws at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Monday, March 21, 2011
10 Killed in Accident
Kolkata, March 20 (IANS) At least 10 people were killed in two accidents in West Bengal Sunday -- six when a truck turned turtle and four when their vehicle collided head on with a truck.
The first accident occurred near Dhulagarh truck terminus area in Howrah district when the driver of truck loaded with stone chips lost control and hit the divider, Howrah Additional Police Superintendent (Rural) Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi said.
'The vehicle immediately turned turtle and six people who were wage labourers and were travelling on the vehicle died on the spot,' he added.
In the second incident, four people were killed when the vehicle in which they were travelling collided head on with a truck at Deocha village near Mohammed Bazar in Birbhum district.
'The victims were residents of Sodepur in North 24 Parganas. They were returning home after offering puja at Tarapith temple in Birbhum district,' Birbhum Superintendent of Police Nishad Parvez said.
The truck has been seized but the driver and helper managed to flee, he said.
Provided By: syfi news
Learn more about trucking accidents at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
The first accident occurred near Dhulagarh truck terminus area in Howrah district when the driver of truck loaded with stone chips lost control and hit the divider, Howrah Additional Police Superintendent (Rural) Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi said.
'The vehicle immediately turned turtle and six people who were wage labourers and were travelling on the vehicle died on the spot,' he added.
In the second incident, four people were killed when the vehicle in which they were travelling collided head on with a truck at Deocha village near Mohammed Bazar in Birbhum district.
'The victims were residents of Sodepur in North 24 Parganas. They were returning home after offering puja at Tarapith temple in Birbhum district,' Birbhum Superintendent of Police Nishad Parvez said.
The truck has been seized but the driver and helper managed to flee, he said.
Provided By: syfi news
Learn more about trucking accidents at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Friday, March 18, 2011
Winter Weather makes Treacherous Traveling
A wintry mix of snow and rain wreaked havoc for drivers along stretches of road in the Lakes Region, from Laconia to New Hampton.
Sgt. Gary Hubbard of the Laconia Police Department, slippery road conditions contributed to several cars going off the road late Wednesday morning into early afternoon.
"There have been cars going off the road, all day, especially along Parade Road (Route 106) and on Meredith Center Road," Hubbard said, adding that he did not have detailed information on each incident.
The majority of the accidents were not serious, involving single vehicles sliding off the road with the drivers and passengers not reporting serious injury.
Around 10 a.m., there was a vehicle that rolled over, trapping the driver inside.
Hubbard said the driver was extricated and only suffered minor back injuries.
On Route 3, in the Weirs Beach area, near Cumberland Farms, a tractor-trailer truck couldn't make it up the hill because of icy road conditions, he said.
"The weather played a major role in traffic conditions," Hubbard said, adding that when roads get slippery, "people just need to remember to slow down and take their time."
There were also several accidents along Interstate 93 in the Tilton and New Hampton.
Sgt. Mark Armaganian, assistant commander of Troop D, based in Concord which oversees much of Interstate-93, through Ashland, as well as most of Interstate 89, said troopers were definitely kept busy.
"At this point we're still dealing with cars driving off the road," Armaganian said Wednesday afternoon. "I think this storm caught a lot of people off guard. They didn't think we would get a wintry mix of snow, sleet and rain, and people just didn't adjust their speed."
Earlier forecasts for Wednesday had predicted mostly rain in the area with above-freezing temperatures.
Capt. David Hall of the Tilton-Northfield Fire Department said there were two accidents on Interstate-93 in Tilton, one that occurred at 11:40 a.m. the other at 12:30 p.m.
He said in both incidents, the cars rolled over onto their sides, but there were minor-to-no injuries in each case.
The New Hampton Fire Department also reported two rollovers on I-93, neither of them serious.
Slippery roads also caused a few accidents in Moultonborough.
Moultonborough Police reported there was accident at 12:29 p.m., which involved a vehicle going off the road and up onto snowbank, with no injuries reported.
At 1:42 p.m., a plow truck went off the road on Route 109 at Route 171, but there were no injuries or serious damage to the truck.
At 2:27 p.m., there was a two-car accident on Moultonboro Neck Road. Police said the driver of a vehicle in the southbound lane lost control in an "S" curve of the road and crossed over into the northbound lane, colliding with another vehicle. No injuries resulted from the accident, police said;
Finally, at 3:17 p.m., another accident occurred when one driver on Evans Road attempted to stop her vehicle at a Stop sign, at the intersection of Route 25. Due to the icy road conditions, she slid through the stop sign area and rear-ended another vehicle. No serious injuries resulted.
Later in the afternoon, between 2:40 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., there were a couple of accidents reported in Moultonborough, including one on Route 16, near the Route 25 overpass, where a vehicle spun out.
At approximately 3:20 p.m., an accident involving two vehicles was reported on Whittier Highway.
Moultonborough police were not available in the evening to give further details.
According to the National Weather Service, snow accumulation on Wednesday was less that an inch.
The mix of rain and snow turned to just rain after 3 p.m., when temperatures got into the upper 30s.
The forecast for today, St. Patrick's Day, is partly sunny with a high near 48, with some rain showers expected Thursday night. Rain showers are predicted for Friday, but it will mostly cloudy with a high in the lower 50s. Less than a one-tenth of inches of precipitation is expected Thursday night.
Rain showers are also expected on Saturday, with highs in the low 40s.
Provided By: citizen.com
Learn more about trucking laws at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Sgt. Gary Hubbard of the Laconia Police Department, slippery road conditions contributed to several cars going off the road late Wednesday morning into early afternoon.
"There have been cars going off the road, all day, especially along Parade Road (Route 106) and on Meredith Center Road," Hubbard said, adding that he did not have detailed information on each incident.
The majority of the accidents were not serious, involving single vehicles sliding off the road with the drivers and passengers not reporting serious injury.
Around 10 a.m., there was a vehicle that rolled over, trapping the driver inside.
Hubbard said the driver was extricated and only suffered minor back injuries.
On Route 3, in the Weirs Beach area, near Cumberland Farms, a tractor-trailer truck couldn't make it up the hill because of icy road conditions, he said.
"The weather played a major role in traffic conditions," Hubbard said, adding that when roads get slippery, "people just need to remember to slow down and take their time."
There were also several accidents along Interstate 93 in the Tilton and New Hampton.
Sgt. Mark Armaganian, assistant commander of Troop D, based in Concord which oversees much of Interstate-93, through Ashland, as well as most of Interstate 89, said troopers were definitely kept busy.
"At this point we're still dealing with cars driving off the road," Armaganian said Wednesday afternoon. "I think this storm caught a lot of people off guard. They didn't think we would get a wintry mix of snow, sleet and rain, and people just didn't adjust their speed."
Earlier forecasts for Wednesday had predicted mostly rain in the area with above-freezing temperatures.
Capt. David Hall of the Tilton-Northfield Fire Department said there were two accidents on Interstate-93 in Tilton, one that occurred at 11:40 a.m. the other at 12:30 p.m.
He said in both incidents, the cars rolled over onto their sides, but there were minor-to-no injuries in each case.
The New Hampton Fire Department also reported two rollovers on I-93, neither of them serious.
Slippery roads also caused a few accidents in Moultonborough.
Moultonborough Police reported there was accident at 12:29 p.m., which involved a vehicle going off the road and up onto snowbank, with no injuries reported.
At 1:42 p.m., a plow truck went off the road on Route 109 at Route 171, but there were no injuries or serious damage to the truck.
At 2:27 p.m., there was a two-car accident on Moultonboro Neck Road. Police said the driver of a vehicle in the southbound lane lost control in an "S" curve of the road and crossed over into the northbound lane, colliding with another vehicle. No injuries resulted from the accident, police said;
Finally, at 3:17 p.m., another accident occurred when one driver on Evans Road attempted to stop her vehicle at a Stop sign, at the intersection of Route 25. Due to the icy road conditions, she slid through the stop sign area and rear-ended another vehicle. No serious injuries resulted.
Later in the afternoon, between 2:40 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., there were a couple of accidents reported in Moultonborough, including one on Route 16, near the Route 25 overpass, where a vehicle spun out.
At approximately 3:20 p.m., an accident involving two vehicles was reported on Whittier Highway.
Moultonborough police were not available in the evening to give further details.
According to the National Weather Service, snow accumulation on Wednesday was less that an inch.
The mix of rain and snow turned to just rain after 3 p.m., when temperatures got into the upper 30s.
The forecast for today, St. Patrick's Day, is partly sunny with a high near 48, with some rain showers expected Thursday night. Rain showers are predicted for Friday, but it will mostly cloudy with a high in the lower 50s. Less than a one-tenth of inches of precipitation is expected Thursday night.
Rain showers are also expected on Saturday, with highs in the low 40s.
Provided By: citizen.com
Learn more about trucking laws at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Violent Crash Traps Teens
UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Three people were rushed to hospitals after a violent crash on what neighbors say is an accident-prone stretch of road in Unity Township, Westmoreland County.
State police in Greensburg said a pickup truck and a car collided head-on Tuesday night on Donohoe Road, and two 16-year-old girls were trapped in the car.The teenagers were pulled from the wreckage and flown to Pittsburgh hospitals in critical condition.
The driver of the truck, a 23-year-old man, was also hurt but his condition was not immediately available.
Some neighbors told Channel 4 Action News that they think there are too many car accidents on Donohoe and drivers often speed through the area, which connects Greensburg and Latrobe.
"Every other weekend, we hear this," neighbor Melissa Domenick said. "It's a crash either into the guardrails, up into the treeline. This is a horrible area, and they just fly on it."
"They just travel fast on this road," Woodsville Fire Chief Brian Schultheis said.
Safety of neighborhood children is also a concern for some who live near the crash scene.
"It's almost like (Route) 22 -- a death trap since they've paved it and made it wider, especially in the morning with kids getting on the school bus," neighbor Brian Domenick said.
"People fly along here, and they don't even realize that we're residential and there's kids all along here," Melissa Domenick said.Police are still investigating and have not determined if speed was a factor in Tuesday's crash.
Team 4 investigative reporter Jim Parsons went to the crash scene Wednesday afternoon and saw firsthand what neighbors had talked about -- cars going way too fast around the blind curve.
"They're constantly speeding going around the bends, and there's not much side, so people constantly swerving back and forth," neighbor Heidi Lesko said.
"Two cars coming faster than they should this way -- it's blind because you have people coming up the hill there and coming around a real sharp bend there. That's why this particular spot is very dangerous," neighbor Mike Tyson said.State police agreed with neighbors' comments.
"We've had a lot of problems on Donahoe Road," said Trooper Stephen Limani, who described it as a highly traveled shortcut between Greensburg and Latrobe.
"We're going to be more visible, and we're going to be out there enforcing the laws," Limani said.
Provided By: WTAE.com
Learn more about trucking law at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
State police in Greensburg said a pickup truck and a car collided head-on Tuesday night on Donohoe Road, and two 16-year-old girls were trapped in the car.The teenagers were pulled from the wreckage and flown to Pittsburgh hospitals in critical condition.
The driver of the truck, a 23-year-old man, was also hurt but his condition was not immediately available.
Some neighbors told Channel 4 Action News that they think there are too many car accidents on Donohoe and drivers often speed through the area, which connects Greensburg and Latrobe.
"Every other weekend, we hear this," neighbor Melissa Domenick said. "It's a crash either into the guardrails, up into the treeline. This is a horrible area, and they just fly on it."
"They just travel fast on this road," Woodsville Fire Chief Brian Schultheis said.
Safety of neighborhood children is also a concern for some who live near the crash scene.
"It's almost like (Route) 22 -- a death trap since they've paved it and made it wider, especially in the morning with kids getting on the school bus," neighbor Brian Domenick said.
"People fly along here, and they don't even realize that we're residential and there's kids all along here," Melissa Domenick said.Police are still investigating and have not determined if speed was a factor in Tuesday's crash.
Team 4 investigative reporter Jim Parsons went to the crash scene Wednesday afternoon and saw firsthand what neighbors had talked about -- cars going way too fast around the blind curve.
"They're constantly speeding going around the bends, and there's not much side, so people constantly swerving back and forth," neighbor Heidi Lesko said.
"Two cars coming faster than they should this way -- it's blind because you have people coming up the hill there and coming around a real sharp bend there. That's why this particular spot is very dangerous," neighbor Mike Tyson said.State police agreed with neighbors' comments.
"We've had a lot of problems on Donahoe Road," said Trooper Stephen Limani, who described it as a highly traveled shortcut between Greensburg and Latrobe.
"We're going to be more visible, and we're going to be out there enforcing the laws," Limani said.
Provided By: WTAE.com
Learn more about trucking law at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Truck Driver hits School Bus
BLOOMINGTON — The driver of a pickup truck that hit a school bus on Interstate 74 had ingested amphetamine and marijuana the morning of the accident, and he and the front-seat passenger both showed signs of alcohol use the night before, a coroner’s jury heard Wednesday.
In addition, state police are involved in a criminal investigation related to a party in Normal that the accident victims had attended the previous night.
“There may be criminal charges as a result of the investigation related to the party and alcohol being provided at this party,” said McLean County Coroner Beth Kimmerling.
The coroner’s jury ruled the Jan. 22 deaths of Michael Honan II, 18, and Celine Estes, 17, both of Tremont, as accidental. The panel discussed the possible need for the state to install a guardrail along the center median on the stretch where the crash occurred, but did not make a formal recommendation.
Honan and Estes both were students at Tremont High School and were driving west about 8:30 a.m. when the truck crossed the median and clipped the tire area of a semitrailer truck before hitting an eastbound Tremont High School bus carrying the girls’ basketball team.
Eleven occupants of the bus were injured but did not require overnight hospitalization. Estes’ sister, Briana, was a passenger in the truck and critically injured; another passenger, Brittany Fair, also was hurt.
State Trooper Joe Dittmer told the jury that two other crashes occurred the same day in the same location.
“It is our belief that all three crashes occurred because of the icy roadway,” he said, noting alcohol was found in the pickup truck wreckage.
The trooper said salt was applied to the road after the crash by state road crews.
Police believe Honan’s vehicle spun around and entered the median backward as it headed toward the eastbound semi and rotated again before it was hit by the bus, said Dittmer.
The officer said information collected from a crash data recorder in the truck may not be reliable because it’s impossible to tell at what stage of the accident the speed was recorded. He said the fact that the accident involved side impacts may have kept the vehicle’s airbag from deploying.
The night before
State police opened an investigation because of the alcohol and three underage people, including the driver, involved, said Kimmerling.
Honan and his passengers had been at a party the night before in Normal, according to testimony from Deputy Coroner David Killian. The four left the party around 8 a.m. because Honan was scheduled to go to work, said Killian.
Witnesses interviewed by police recalled seeing the occupants of the truck drink alcohol but did not recall seeing illegal drug use, said Kimmerling. Witnesses did not indicate that Honan went to sleep when others went to bed, she said.
Toxicology reports
Killian told the jury that toxicology results for Honan indicated recent use of amphetamines and marijuana. Both victims also had used alcohol the night before, according to tests results, said Killian.
If Honan had survived the accident, it’s likely he would have been charged with driving under the influence because of the illegal drugs found in his body, according to Dittmer.
Alcohol was not a factor in the accident, said Kimmerling. The coroner said the driver was impaired bcause of his drug use, but could not say for certain how much the impairment contributed to the crash.
History of roadway
The stretch of I-74 where the fatal accidents occurred has been a concern for several years, said the coroner.
“My office has been there several times over the last five to seven years,” said Kimmerling. She said the Honan family has asked the state to consider a guardrail.
Coroner’s juries determine the manner of death and can choose from accidental, natural, suicide, homicide or undetermined. A cause of death is determined by autopsy.
Provided By:pantagraph.com
Learn more about trucking law at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
In addition, state police are involved in a criminal investigation related to a party in Normal that the accident victims had attended the previous night.
“There may be criminal charges as a result of the investigation related to the party and alcohol being provided at this party,” said McLean County Coroner Beth Kimmerling.
The coroner’s jury ruled the Jan. 22 deaths of Michael Honan II, 18, and Celine Estes, 17, both of Tremont, as accidental. The panel discussed the possible need for the state to install a guardrail along the center median on the stretch where the crash occurred, but did not make a formal recommendation.
Honan and Estes both were students at Tremont High School and were driving west about 8:30 a.m. when the truck crossed the median and clipped the tire area of a semitrailer truck before hitting an eastbound Tremont High School bus carrying the girls’ basketball team.
Eleven occupants of the bus were injured but did not require overnight hospitalization. Estes’ sister, Briana, was a passenger in the truck and critically injured; another passenger, Brittany Fair, also was hurt.
State Trooper Joe Dittmer told the jury that two other crashes occurred the same day in the same location.
“It is our belief that all three crashes occurred because of the icy roadway,” he said, noting alcohol was found in the pickup truck wreckage.
The trooper said salt was applied to the road after the crash by state road crews.
Police believe Honan’s vehicle spun around and entered the median backward as it headed toward the eastbound semi and rotated again before it was hit by the bus, said Dittmer.
The officer said information collected from a crash data recorder in the truck may not be reliable because it’s impossible to tell at what stage of the accident the speed was recorded. He said the fact that the accident involved side impacts may have kept the vehicle’s airbag from deploying.
The night before
State police opened an investigation because of the alcohol and three underage people, including the driver, involved, said Kimmerling.
Honan and his passengers had been at a party the night before in Normal, according to testimony from Deputy Coroner David Killian. The four left the party around 8 a.m. because Honan was scheduled to go to work, said Killian.
Witnesses interviewed by police recalled seeing the occupants of the truck drink alcohol but did not recall seeing illegal drug use, said Kimmerling. Witnesses did not indicate that Honan went to sleep when others went to bed, she said.
Toxicology reports
Killian told the jury that toxicology results for Honan indicated recent use of amphetamines and marijuana. Both victims also had used alcohol the night before, according to tests results, said Killian.
If Honan had survived the accident, it’s likely he would have been charged with driving under the influence because of the illegal drugs found in his body, according to Dittmer.
Alcohol was not a factor in the accident, said Kimmerling. The coroner said the driver was impaired bcause of his drug use, but could not say for certain how much the impairment contributed to the crash.
History of roadway
The stretch of I-74 where the fatal accidents occurred has been a concern for several years, said the coroner.
“My office has been there several times over the last five to seven years,” said Kimmerling. She said the Honan family has asked the state to consider a guardrail.
Coroner’s juries determine the manner of death and can choose from accidental, natural, suicide, homicide or undetermined. A cause of death is determined by autopsy.
Provided By:pantagraph.com
Learn more about trucking law at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Cruiser Smashed in I-70 Accident
(KMOV)—Two separate accidents on Interstate 70 near West Florissant caused a third accident shortly before 1 a.m. on Tuesday.
Police say the first accident involved a car that ran into the back of a tractor trailer truck. The second accident involved an overturned car, in which the driver ran off.
No one was seriously injured in either of those incidents.
Police say those two incidents caused an accident at I-70 and Broadway, involving police officers.
They say a car t-boned their patrol car while they were diverting traffic off the highway.
One officer jumped over the median to avoid the crash and hurt his knee.
The driver of the vehicle that crashed into the patrol car was not hurt, but received several tickets.
Westbound lanes of I-70 were shutdown for more than an hour but have since reopened.
Provided By: KMOV 4 St. Louis
Learn more about trucking law at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Suspect Fleas Accident
A Reese Library staff member witnessed an unusual series of events following a car accident in Lot 2 on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011.
Outreach assistant, Matthew Whittington, told campus public safety he was walking back toward the library around11:15 a.m., from Washington Hall, when he heard a crunch; “the un-mistakable sound of someone’s truck getting hit.”
The truck, a silver Toyota Tacoma, belonging to a faculty member, was hit a by a female student in her red 2007 Chevy Impala while attempting to pull out her parking space. According to police reports, the student, in this case driver No. 1, had missjudged the distances between the two vehicles, due to the presence of another vehicle attempting to acquire the space.
Whittington said the accident seemed minor and he assumed that the student would take the appropriate actions of reporting it.
“She finished backing out and sits right there, for probably, the ever-popular minute,” he said. “She just sat there. I’m thinking she is going to get out of the car and leave a note or call public safety or something for the poor art professor, I assume.”
After staying stopped by the accident, the driver pulled off in the direction of Washington Hall.
Whittington said she turned left at the proceeding stop sign, and took the bend in front of the Testing and Disabilities Center, coming out on Taylor Street adjacent to Lot 1.
“I thought she was leaving the accident,” Whittington said.
He was wrong.
The student turned back around in Lot 1 and made her way back to the accident, and according to Whittington was on her cell phone.
Whittington thought it unusual that she never got out of the car the first time, but was even more surprised to see her double-back and do nothing again.
“I guess she was surveying the damage because then after, she heads out again, this time taking a right (in the direction of public safety) and I lost her,” he said.
Before losing her entirely, Whittington was able to catch a partial of the license plate number (BMJ), which he relayed to Public Safety as soon as he got back to the library.
“Our guys having, even a partial, was key in finding her vehicle,” said Jasper Cooke, director of Public Safety. “They were able to locate the car, sometime after, in Lot 23.”
Because she was parked in Lot 23- the lot in the shaded area to the back of human resources, near Washington Hall- Cooke strongly believed that, even though the girl showed nervousness, she was just looking for another place to park.
When Whittington came back out to the scene with public safety to make his statement, a gold colored car approached the scene and from the passenger’s side the female student walked out slowly toward the officers, and admitted she had done it.
The way the law reads for traffic accidents in the state of Georgia, two interpretations apply: First, police cannot charge for leaving the scene of a crime for anything less than significant injury or damage; in this case since there was only scraps and minor damage to the front quarter panel, there is no charge. Secondly, names of the parties involved are unable to be released until lawyers are notified and insurance companies are taking action, in fear that lawyers will come knocking at the door of agencies for a first-call at the parties.
“Sure, it would have been better for her to leave a note,” Cooke said, “Leaving the scene is not that significant in this case. Traffic crashes are guarded in this sense. The only thing that she might get is wrath from insurance, and based on the way she handled it, questions of integrity.”
Both parties have since claimed their reports, according to Cooke, so it is just a matter of time until they are made available to the public.
Provided By: The Bell Ringer
Learn more about trucking law at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Outreach assistant, Matthew Whittington, told campus public safety he was walking back toward the library around11:15 a.m., from Washington Hall, when he heard a crunch; “the un-mistakable sound of someone’s truck getting hit.”
The truck, a silver Toyota Tacoma, belonging to a faculty member, was hit a by a female student in her red 2007 Chevy Impala while attempting to pull out her parking space. According to police reports, the student, in this case driver No. 1, had missjudged the distances between the two vehicles, due to the presence of another vehicle attempting to acquire the space.
Whittington said the accident seemed minor and he assumed that the student would take the appropriate actions of reporting it.
“She finished backing out and sits right there, for probably, the ever-popular minute,” he said. “She just sat there. I’m thinking she is going to get out of the car and leave a note or call public safety or something for the poor art professor, I assume.”
After staying stopped by the accident, the driver pulled off in the direction of Washington Hall.
Whittington said she turned left at the proceeding stop sign, and took the bend in front of the Testing and Disabilities Center, coming out on Taylor Street adjacent to Lot 1.
“I thought she was leaving the accident,” Whittington said.
He was wrong.
The student turned back around in Lot 1 and made her way back to the accident, and according to Whittington was on her cell phone.
Whittington thought it unusual that she never got out of the car the first time, but was even more surprised to see her double-back and do nothing again.
“I guess she was surveying the damage because then after, she heads out again, this time taking a right (in the direction of public safety) and I lost her,” he said.
Before losing her entirely, Whittington was able to catch a partial of the license plate number (BMJ), which he relayed to Public Safety as soon as he got back to the library.
“Our guys having, even a partial, was key in finding her vehicle,” said Jasper Cooke, director of Public Safety. “They were able to locate the car, sometime after, in Lot 23.”
Because she was parked in Lot 23- the lot in the shaded area to the back of human resources, near Washington Hall- Cooke strongly believed that, even though the girl showed nervousness, she was just looking for another place to park.
When Whittington came back out to the scene with public safety to make his statement, a gold colored car approached the scene and from the passenger’s side the female student walked out slowly toward the officers, and admitted she had done it.
The way the law reads for traffic accidents in the state of Georgia, two interpretations apply: First, police cannot charge for leaving the scene of a crime for anything less than significant injury or damage; in this case since there was only scraps and minor damage to the front quarter panel, there is no charge. Secondly, names of the parties involved are unable to be released until lawyers are notified and insurance companies are taking action, in fear that lawyers will come knocking at the door of agencies for a first-call at the parties.
“Sure, it would have been better for her to leave a note,” Cooke said, “Leaving the scene is not that significant in this case. Traffic crashes are guarded in this sense. The only thing that she might get is wrath from insurance, and based on the way she handled it, questions of integrity.”
Both parties have since claimed their reports, according to Cooke, so it is just a matter of time until they are made available to the public.
Provided By: The Bell Ringer
Learn more about trucking law at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Students get Driving Saftey Courses
HARLEM, Ga.---Two Columbia County teenagers have been killed in car accidents, in the last month. Deputies say one was distracted, the other lost control.
As two high schools mourn their loss, another is doing what it can to prevent any other young lives from ending behind the wheel.
It can happen in the blink of an eye, just ask Brooke Moye's mother, Chris. It's been exactly one month since she lost her daughter.
"I cry everyday, something small can remind me of her," says Chris Moye, Brooke's mother.
The Evans junior was distracted behind the wheel and ran into a stopped utility truck. Joe Womack, a senior at Greenbrier lost control of his car, wasn't wearing a seat belt, was ejected and killed.
Monday at Harlem High School, they're talking driver's safety. "These people are really adamant in trying to educate people about the dangers of driving," explains 11th grader Kendall Green.
From getting behind the wheel drunk, to not wearing a seat belt. These local and state law enforcement officers are working to prevent teenage deaths.
"We try to teach them and get to them before that actually happens. We do all that for the kids...to try and reach them," says Sgt. Stephen Daniels with the Duluth Police Department.
"People don't think it's going to happen to them...well I'm just gonna drive, I'm not going to wear my seat belt or I'm just gonna text for a few seconds...and it won't happen to them, but it does," adds Kendall.
"I never...in a million years would have thought this would happen to us...never," Chris says.
Chris says no text message or beer is worth it. "There's nothing that important to risk your life," she adds.
"It's all about choices and telling them to make good decisions," says Sgt. Daniels.
And Chris may never know which distraction got the best of Brooke. "I wish I could have seen what she was doing. I wish I could have been there to catch her attention," says Chris.
"It's a wake up call and it's very serious," adds Kendall.
"'d love to have my baby back...and I know that will never happen," Chris says through tears.
Emergency response teams from Harlem, Columbia County and the Georgia State Patrol were on hand for the "Drive Smart Expo."
The Duluth Police Department, out of Atlanta, partners with the Governor's Office of Highway Safety to bring this program to just 15 schools every year. The demonstrations are held in the spring, before prom and graduation.
Provided By: News 12 WRDW-TV Augusta
Learn more about trucking laws at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
As two high schools mourn their loss, another is doing what it can to prevent any other young lives from ending behind the wheel.
It can happen in the blink of an eye, just ask Brooke Moye's mother, Chris. It's been exactly one month since she lost her daughter.
"I cry everyday, something small can remind me of her," says Chris Moye, Brooke's mother.
The Evans junior was distracted behind the wheel and ran into a stopped utility truck. Joe Womack, a senior at Greenbrier lost control of his car, wasn't wearing a seat belt, was ejected and killed.
Monday at Harlem High School, they're talking driver's safety. "These people are really adamant in trying to educate people about the dangers of driving," explains 11th grader Kendall Green.
From getting behind the wheel drunk, to not wearing a seat belt. These local and state law enforcement officers are working to prevent teenage deaths.
"We try to teach them and get to them before that actually happens. We do all that for the kids...to try and reach them," says Sgt. Stephen Daniels with the Duluth Police Department.
"People don't think it's going to happen to them...well I'm just gonna drive, I'm not going to wear my seat belt or I'm just gonna text for a few seconds...and it won't happen to them, but it does," adds Kendall.
"I never...in a million years would have thought this would happen to us...never," Chris says.
Chris says no text message or beer is worth it. "There's nothing that important to risk your life," she adds.
"It's all about choices and telling them to make good decisions," says Sgt. Daniels.
And Chris may never know which distraction got the best of Brooke. "I wish I could have seen what she was doing. I wish I could have been there to catch her attention," says Chris.
"It's a wake up call and it's very serious," adds Kendall.
"'d love to have my baby back...and I know that will never happen," Chris says through tears.
Emergency response teams from Harlem, Columbia County and the Georgia State Patrol were on hand for the "Drive Smart Expo."
The Duluth Police Department, out of Atlanta, partners with the Governor's Office of Highway Safety to bring this program to just 15 schools every year. The demonstrations are held in the spring, before prom and graduation.
Provided By: News 12 WRDW-TV Augusta
Learn more about trucking laws at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Monday, March 14, 2011
One Fatal Tangle in Traffic
Traffic on Interstate 95 and U.S. 1 was backed up at various times on Saturday in St. Johns County due to multiple car accidents, many involving motorcyclists, including one fatal, according to Florida Highway Patrol reports.
FHP troopers, St. Johns County Sheriff's deputies and St. Johns County fire Rescue personnel began responding to accidents on I-95 as early as 9 a.m. Saturday.
Traffic was backed up on the interstate for miles, extending as far as the Flagler County line due to the multiple accidents.
The first reported accident came in at 9 a.m., according to Jeremy Robshaw, public information officer with St. Johns County Fire Rescue. A motorcyclist was airlifted to Shands Jacksonville as a trauma alert, he said. The current condition or details of the biker were unknown late Saturday.
Around 11 a.m., rescue personnel responded to a serious crash involving two motorcycles at Racetrack Road and U.S. 1, near the Duval County line.
One biker was flown to Shands Jacksonville where he was pronounced dead, according to Lt. William Leeper, spokesman for FHP. The condition of the other motorcyclist is unknown at this time. The names of the cyclists were not available by press time.
Around 11:15 a.m., SJCFR personnel transported two more patients to Shands Jacksonville with minor injuries after a car and motorcycle crashed on I-95 near the International Golf Parkway exit, Robshaw said.
At 12:40 p.m., troopers and paramedics shut down lanes on I-95 just north of State Road 16 due to a three-car crash. Only minor injuries were reported and one person was transported to Flagler Hospital, Leeper said.
Rescue personnel transported a pregnant woman with minor injuries to Flagler Hospital around 3 p.m. after her car rolled over on I-95 just north of S.R. 207.
A motorcyclist was reportedly runover on I-95 north of the IGP exit and flown to Shands Jacksonville on a trauma alert around 8 p.m., Robshaw said. FHP troopers were able to find the driver of a truck that struck the biker at a truck stop not far away, Leeper said. Shortly after, SJCFR firefighters responded to a car that was "completely engulfed" in flames on I-95 just south of the S.R. 207 exit.
Police and paramedics responded to more than 10 accidents on U.S. 1 and I-95 Saturday. Seven motorcyclists were involved in these accidents, records show.
Provided By: St. Augustine Record
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FHP troopers, St. Johns County Sheriff's deputies and St. Johns County fire Rescue personnel began responding to accidents on I-95 as early as 9 a.m. Saturday.
Traffic was backed up on the interstate for miles, extending as far as the Flagler County line due to the multiple accidents.
The first reported accident came in at 9 a.m., according to Jeremy Robshaw, public information officer with St. Johns County Fire Rescue. A motorcyclist was airlifted to Shands Jacksonville as a trauma alert, he said. The current condition or details of the biker were unknown late Saturday.
Around 11 a.m., rescue personnel responded to a serious crash involving two motorcycles at Racetrack Road and U.S. 1, near the Duval County line.
One biker was flown to Shands Jacksonville where he was pronounced dead, according to Lt. William Leeper, spokesman for FHP. The condition of the other motorcyclist is unknown at this time. The names of the cyclists were not available by press time.
Around 11:15 a.m., SJCFR personnel transported two more patients to Shands Jacksonville with minor injuries after a car and motorcycle crashed on I-95 near the International Golf Parkway exit, Robshaw said.
At 12:40 p.m., troopers and paramedics shut down lanes on I-95 just north of State Road 16 due to a three-car crash. Only minor injuries were reported and one person was transported to Flagler Hospital, Leeper said.
Rescue personnel transported a pregnant woman with minor injuries to Flagler Hospital around 3 p.m. after her car rolled over on I-95 just north of S.R. 207.
A motorcyclist was reportedly runover on I-95 north of the IGP exit and flown to Shands Jacksonville on a trauma alert around 8 p.m., Robshaw said. FHP troopers were able to find the driver of a truck that struck the biker at a truck stop not far away, Leeper said. Shortly after, SJCFR firefighters responded to a car that was "completely engulfed" in flames on I-95 just south of the S.R. 207 exit.
Police and paramedics responded to more than 10 accidents on U.S. 1 and I-95 Saturday. Seven motorcyclists were involved in these accidents, records show.
Provided By: St. Augustine Record
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Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Semi Jacknifes
As the snow came down in large, wet flakes and made for slippery road conditions, a semi truck jackknifed, hit a guardrail and landed behind the guardrail on Wisconsin Highway 147 just east of Interstate 43 at about 7 a.m. today, said Gary Kennedy, Manitowoc County highway commissioner.He was unaware of any injuries or any other major accidents, Kennedy said.
The snowplows have been out since 3:30 a.m., he said.
“It’s coming down at a good rate, so it’s been a little difficult to keep up. We have five trucks on I-43 right now,” Kennedy said. “We’re continually plowing. Obviously, it’s a wet, heavy snowfall. We’re going to be at it most of the day and most of the night.”
He advised motorists to slow down.
The Manitowoc Police and Sheriff’s departments reported numerous weather-related accidents, none of them serious, as of 8 a.m. today.
Provided By: htrnews.com
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The snowplows have been out since 3:30 a.m., he said.
“It’s coming down at a good rate, so it’s been a little difficult to keep up. We have five trucks on I-43 right now,” Kennedy said. “We’re continually plowing. Obviously, it’s a wet, heavy snowfall. We’re going to be at it most of the day and most of the night.”
He advised motorists to slow down.
The Manitowoc Police and Sheriff’s departments reported numerous weather-related accidents, none of them serious, as of 8 a.m. today.
Provided By: htrnews.com
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Motorist Madness
GARDAÍ are continuing to investigate the near-fatal car pileup on the M7 last week as speculation mounts that criminal proceedings will be launched.
A truck jack-knifed after running into the back of a HGV in thick fog last Thursday shortly before 8am between junction 15 and 16 near Portlaoise.
The collision set off a chain reaction as desperate motorists clambered to slow down, which led to the pile-up that involved up to a dozen vehicles.
The pile-up led to at least four individual accidents.
These included the initial HGV collision as well as a three-vehicle car accident.
Units from Portlaoise and Stradbally fire station attended the scene.
Such was the velocity of the first crash that the cab of the truck was almost entirely shorn off as seen in the photograph supplied by Laois Fire Services.
The driver was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after being cut from the cab, while several others received medical attention for minor injuries.
It is understood the parked truck had broken down the day beforehand and had been left at the side of the motorway prior to the accident. The driver of the parked truck was not at the scene at the time of the accident.
Garda Supt Philip Lyons said a meeting was to be held involving the National Roads Authority, Laois Co Council and local gardaí about what could be done to prevent future occurrences, including the possibly of locating mobile warning signs.
“We will have a meeting to see how we can alleviate this type of situation. There is definitely a solution. Maybe there is a need for signage,” he said.
Senior assistant chief fire officer Declan Power said that motorists had to be extra vigilant driving in such conditions. “People do not heed the conditions. They do not change their driving or speed, even in the fog,” he said.
The pile-up brought back unwanted memories for many of another massive pile-up in fog at the Curragh in March 2007, which led to the death of a 24-year-old woman. Mr Power described the conditions in last week’s incident as “almost identical” to the 2007 fatal accident.
Provided By: Laois Nationalist
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A truck jack-knifed after running into the back of a HGV in thick fog last Thursday shortly before 8am between junction 15 and 16 near Portlaoise.
The collision set off a chain reaction as desperate motorists clambered to slow down, which led to the pile-up that involved up to a dozen vehicles.
The pile-up led to at least four individual accidents.
These included the initial HGV collision as well as a three-vehicle car accident.
Units from Portlaoise and Stradbally fire station attended the scene.
Such was the velocity of the first crash that the cab of the truck was almost entirely shorn off as seen in the photograph supplied by Laois Fire Services.
The driver was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after being cut from the cab, while several others received medical attention for minor injuries.
It is understood the parked truck had broken down the day beforehand and had been left at the side of the motorway prior to the accident. The driver of the parked truck was not at the scene at the time of the accident.
Garda Supt Philip Lyons said a meeting was to be held involving the National Roads Authority, Laois Co Council and local gardaí about what could be done to prevent future occurrences, including the possibly of locating mobile warning signs.
“We will have a meeting to see how we can alleviate this type of situation. There is definitely a solution. Maybe there is a need for signage,” he said.
Senior assistant chief fire officer Declan Power said that motorists had to be extra vigilant driving in such conditions. “People do not heed the conditions. They do not change their driving or speed, even in the fog,” he said.
The pile-up brought back unwanted memories for many of another massive pile-up in fog at the Curragh in March 2007, which led to the death of a 24-year-old woman. Mr Power described the conditions in last week’s incident as “almost identical” to the 2007 fatal accident.
Provided By: Laois Nationalist
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Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Road Accident in Brazil
A lumber truck has collided with a bus near the southern town of Descanso in Brazil, killing at least 25 people and injuring 23 others.
Highway police said the accident happened early in the morning when the truck driver lost control on a curve and slammed into the bus, AFP reported.
Police said the bus was carrying nearly 50 people when it was struck by the truck near Descanso, 690 kilometers west of the state capital of Florianopolis, near Brazil's border with Argentina.
The report added that the passengers were all family and friends returning from a bowling tournament.
Brazil has one of the highest rates of car accident fatalities in the Americas with 24.2 killed in crashes per 100,000 members of the population.
Brazil ranks third in the world with the worst road death rate per person, just behind El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. Road accidents claim over 35,000 lives in Brazil each year.
Road conditions in Brazil vary widely with some stretches of modern highways mostly in Sao Paulo.
In other areas, however, the inter-city roads have been widely recognized as among the most dangerous in the world.
This is due to poor driving as well as high rates of crime. Shockingly, some 39,000 are reportedly killed in gunshot violence in Brazil each year.
Provided By: PressTV.com
China Road Accidents
Seven people were killed and ten others severely injured in a series of road accidents Monday morning on a foggy expressway in central China's Hunan Province, according to local police.
The accidents, which happened on the expressway between Linxiang City and Changsha City, included a three-car pile-up that led to a massive fire, a five-truck collision and a seven-truck accident, said Yang Mansheng, head of the local traffic police brigade.
"Heavy fog was the main cause of the accidents," Yang said.
Police officers, along with fire and rescue personnel rushed to the scenes following the accidents.
The expressway, which had been blocked due to the accidents, was opened to traffic at around 5 p.m. All injured victims have been transported to hospitals.
Provided By: CRIEnglish.com
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The accidents, which happened on the expressway between Linxiang City and Changsha City, included a three-car pile-up that led to a massive fire, a five-truck collision and a seven-truck accident, said Yang Mansheng, head of the local traffic police brigade.
"Heavy fog was the main cause of the accidents," Yang said.
Police officers, along with fire and rescue personnel rushed to the scenes following the accidents.
The expressway, which had been blocked due to the accidents, was opened to traffic at around 5 p.m. All injured victims have been transported to hospitals.
Provided By: CRIEnglish.com
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Friday, March 4, 2011
Fatal I-70B Accident
FRUITVALE, Colo. -- The man who died in a fatal two-car accident on the I-70 Business Loop Wednesday has been identified. Colorado State Patrol says Thomas Shelhammer, 82, was not wearing a seat-belt when he pulled out in front of oncoming traffic.
"The vehicle attempted to make a left hand turn to eastbound I-70B," Trooper Don Moseman explained.At about 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, a simple turn across traffic became deadly for Shelhammer, the driver of a white Chevy Malibu. "[He] pulled in front of a red ford full-size truck," Moseman said.The truck struck Shelhammer's car on the driver's side, whipping the car around and throwing it off of the opposite side of the highway. His Malibu came to rest in ditch on the south side of I-70B.The entire driver's side of his car caved in, killing him on the scene. The two passengers in the truck, Amanda Ford, 31, and her daughter Kay, 9, survived while only suffering minor bumps and bruises. But, an ensuing investigation forced the highway to close in both directions for the next three hours."This is not a busy intersection, but this time of day, I-70B is very busy," Moseman said.Already, rush hour had started picking up. Some people were headed home from work, but most of the traffic was from nearby Central High School that had just gotten out. "I've seen accidents there lately," Natalie Emery, a Junior at CHS said.Her first concern was that fellow students may be involved. "It's scary sometimes because you're just crowded and everyone wants to just leave fast," Emery said.The accident happened a half mile from the school. It closed the highway for about three hours between 30 Road and Warrior Way. Colorado State Patrol mapped the scene.Early results from their investigation suggest that drugs and alcohol were not factors in the accident. But, autopsy results will confirm or deny that.Troopers hope with help from the Mesa County's Sheriff's Office (MCSO) that they can reconstruct the accident. MCSO's new unmanned helicopter was seen taking aerial pictures of the accident.But, regardless of what the rest of the investigation turns up, drivers like Emery will be taking it a little bit slower from here on out.
"I don't know why people would drive so carelessly, especially by the high school."I-70B was closed for three hours Wednesday, from about 3:00 p.m. to just after 6:00 p.m.
Provided By: kjct8.com
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"The vehicle attempted to make a left hand turn to eastbound I-70B," Trooper Don Moseman explained.At about 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, a simple turn across traffic became deadly for Shelhammer, the driver of a white Chevy Malibu. "[He] pulled in front of a red ford full-size truck," Moseman said.The truck struck Shelhammer's car on the driver's side, whipping the car around and throwing it off of the opposite side of the highway. His Malibu came to rest in ditch on the south side of I-70B.The entire driver's side of his car caved in, killing him on the scene. The two passengers in the truck, Amanda Ford, 31, and her daughter Kay, 9, survived while only suffering minor bumps and bruises. But, an ensuing investigation forced the highway to close in both directions for the next three hours."This is not a busy intersection, but this time of day, I-70B is very busy," Moseman said.Already, rush hour had started picking up. Some people were headed home from work, but most of the traffic was from nearby Central High School that had just gotten out. "I've seen accidents there lately," Natalie Emery, a Junior at CHS said.Her first concern was that fellow students may be involved. "It's scary sometimes because you're just crowded and everyone wants to just leave fast," Emery said.The accident happened a half mile from the school. It closed the highway for about three hours between 30 Road and Warrior Way. Colorado State Patrol mapped the scene.Early results from their investigation suggest that drugs and alcohol were not factors in the accident. But, autopsy results will confirm or deny that.Troopers hope with help from the Mesa County's Sheriff's Office (MCSO) that they can reconstruct the accident. MCSO's new unmanned helicopter was seen taking aerial pictures of the accident.But, regardless of what the rest of the investigation turns up, drivers like Emery will be taking it a little bit slower from here on out.
"I don't know why people would drive so carelessly, especially by the high school."I-70B was closed for three hours Wednesday, from about 3:00 p.m. to just after 6:00 p.m.
Provided By: kjct8.com
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Freezing Rain Causes Havoc in Detroit
Icy conditions sent cars spinning and colliding this morning on freeways across metro Detroit.
One person was killed after slamming into the back of a semi-tractor trailer on I-75 early this morning in Detroit. The 5:30 a.m. accident closed northbound I-75 at Mack Avenue for hours.
It was among dozens of crashes that spanned hours after freezing rain created slick spots across the region, closing schools and forcing spot closures on I-94, I-75, the Southfield Freeway and other roadways.
"Horrible," Michigan State Police Trooper Mike Zarate said, estimating about 50 accidents reported to the Detroit Post by 6:30 a.m. today. "There’s closures all over the place; I couldn’t begin to tell you all of them."
On east I-94, two semis apparently collided on the icy roadway just east of 26 Mile Road near the Macomb County border. Police and firefighters were on the scene as of 8:45 a.m. Elsewhere along the roadway, school busses and semi trucks were pulled off of on the shoulder --and numerous vehicles were off the road and in ditches.
Zarate's advice: Stay off the roads if you can.
"Let the road crews do their work," he said. "If you don't have to go out, don't. Wait until the sun comes up and melts off the ice."
The freezing rain began at about 5 a.m. and is expected to last through 10 a.m. today, National Weather Service Meteorologist Dave Kook said.
A Winter Weather Advisory issued this morning by the National Weather Service warns that the freezing rain and hazardous travel conditions could last through noon south of I-69 and through 4 p.m. north of I-69, Kook said.
But at 8:30 a.m., the temperature hit 32 degrees at Metro Airport, starting the thawing process.
"It’ll lag behind by an hour or so," he said.
The temperature is expected to climb today to 42 degrees by 4 p.m.
Rain is expected to continue overnight, then change to snow when a cold front moves through the area Saturday afternoon, Kook said. Up to a half-inch of snow is expected by Sunday morning. Saturday’s high will be in the low 40s before the cold front passes; Sunday's high will be about 33 degrees.
Provided By: Detroit Free Press
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One person was killed after slamming into the back of a semi-tractor trailer on I-75 early this morning in Detroit. The 5:30 a.m. accident closed northbound I-75 at Mack Avenue for hours.
It was among dozens of crashes that spanned hours after freezing rain created slick spots across the region, closing schools and forcing spot closures on I-94, I-75, the Southfield Freeway and other roadways.
"Horrible," Michigan State Police Trooper Mike Zarate said, estimating about 50 accidents reported to the Detroit Post by 6:30 a.m. today. "There’s closures all over the place; I couldn’t begin to tell you all of them."
On east I-94, two semis apparently collided on the icy roadway just east of 26 Mile Road near the Macomb County border. Police and firefighters were on the scene as of 8:45 a.m. Elsewhere along the roadway, school busses and semi trucks were pulled off of on the shoulder --and numerous vehicles were off the road and in ditches.
Zarate's advice: Stay off the roads if you can.
"Let the road crews do their work," he said. "If you don't have to go out, don't. Wait until the sun comes up and melts off the ice."
The freezing rain began at about 5 a.m. and is expected to last through 10 a.m. today, National Weather Service Meteorologist Dave Kook said.
A Winter Weather Advisory issued this morning by the National Weather Service warns that the freezing rain and hazardous travel conditions could last through noon south of I-69 and through 4 p.m. north of I-69, Kook said.
But at 8:30 a.m., the temperature hit 32 degrees at Metro Airport, starting the thawing process.
"It’ll lag behind by an hour or so," he said.
The temperature is expected to climb today to 42 degrees by 4 p.m.
Rain is expected to continue overnight, then change to snow when a cold front moves through the area Saturday afternoon, Kook said. Up to a half-inch of snow is expected by Sunday morning. Saturday’s high will be in the low 40s before the cold front passes; Sunday's high will be about 33 degrees.
Provided By: Detroit Free Press
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Thursday, March 3, 2011
Man Killed in Crash
One man died and another was injured after a car drove down Archbishop Flores Street, careened across Marine Corps Drive and through a vendor's canopy before crashing against a concrete restroom at the Chamorro Village in Hagåtña yesterday afternoon.The accident happened while vendors were setting up canopies and food stands for the busy Wednesday Night Market, which was canceled last night because of the accident.
Police said the dead man was the operator of the vehicle, a 1991 Nissan 240SX.
He was transported to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam, where he was pronounced dead at 4:15 p.m., according to a police press release. Navy spokeswoman Coleen San Nicolas Perez also confirmed that the 50-year-old died.
He is the sixth traffic-related fatality for the year.
The injured man, 48, was taken to Guam Memorial Hospital.
As of 6:40 p.m. yesterday he was being evaluated at the emergency room, according to Nursing Supervisor Sally Quichocho.
According to police, the car came from Archbishop Flores Street and crossed over the north- and southbound lanes on Marine Corps Drive before entering into the Chamorro Village, striking the pedestrian.
That pedestrian was identified by his brother as vendor Albert Sanga, from Dededo.
The injured man's brother, Marlon Sanga, 50, also from Dededo, said they were getting ready for the Wednesday Night Market when the car crashed through their canopy. Marlon Sanga said he narrowly escaped being hit by the car.
"I shouted 'Where's my brother?' And I saw him laying down near a table," Marlon Sanga said. "He had scratches on his sides and a little injury to the head."
Both north- and southbound lanes of Route 1, from Route 4 to Aspinall Road, were blocked off while the Guam Police Department's Highway Patrol Division investigated.
Marlon Sanga said he and his brother have been selling at the Wednesday Night Market event for seven years.
Even though the accident closed their business, he said: "I'm glad my brother is alive. Money is nothing."
Other vendors said the closure of the market wasn't a concern to them, and that they were thankful not many people were injured.
"It's certainly unfortunate what happened. I'm glad more people didn't get hurt," said Lisa Pope, an art vendor at Chamorro Village. "It's an inconvenience and I feel badly for the people affected."
Some vendors, such as Viktoria Sayrs, depend on the market for their livelihood.
"I needed some money today," Sayrs said. "It's unfortunate that someone got hurt and a fellow is dead. It's better to be alive."
Joseph Cameron, president of the Department of Chamorro Affairs, said the decision to close the night market was to ensure residents' safety.
While at the scene yesterday, Cameron said when he was executive director of the Hagåtña Restoration and Redevelopment Authority last year, he recommended that guard rails be placed around the area to protect the public.
"I highly encourage the government and highway and safety division of the (Department of) Public Works to erect safety barriers throughout the area closest to the road," Cameron said.
Provided By: guampdn.com
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Police said the dead man was the operator of the vehicle, a 1991 Nissan 240SX.
He was transported to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam, where he was pronounced dead at 4:15 p.m., according to a police press release. Navy spokeswoman Coleen San Nicolas Perez also confirmed that the 50-year-old died.
He is the sixth traffic-related fatality for the year.
The injured man, 48, was taken to Guam Memorial Hospital.
As of 6:40 p.m. yesterday he was being evaluated at the emergency room, according to Nursing Supervisor Sally Quichocho.
According to police, the car came from Archbishop Flores Street and crossed over the north- and southbound lanes on Marine Corps Drive before entering into the Chamorro Village, striking the pedestrian.
That pedestrian was identified by his brother as vendor Albert Sanga, from Dededo.
The injured man's brother, Marlon Sanga, 50, also from Dededo, said they were getting ready for the Wednesday Night Market when the car crashed through their canopy. Marlon Sanga said he narrowly escaped being hit by the car.
"I shouted 'Where's my brother?' And I saw him laying down near a table," Marlon Sanga said. "He had scratches on his sides and a little injury to the head."
Both north- and southbound lanes of Route 1, from Route 4 to Aspinall Road, were blocked off while the Guam Police Department's Highway Patrol Division investigated.
Marlon Sanga said he and his brother have been selling at the Wednesday Night Market event for seven years.
Even though the accident closed their business, he said: "I'm glad my brother is alive. Money is nothing."
Other vendors said the closure of the market wasn't a concern to them, and that they were thankful not many people were injured.
"It's certainly unfortunate what happened. I'm glad more people didn't get hurt," said Lisa Pope, an art vendor at Chamorro Village. "It's an inconvenience and I feel badly for the people affected."
Some vendors, such as Viktoria Sayrs, depend on the market for their livelihood.
"I needed some money today," Sayrs said. "It's unfortunate that someone got hurt and a fellow is dead. It's better to be alive."
Joseph Cameron, president of the Department of Chamorro Affairs, said the decision to close the night market was to ensure residents' safety.
While at the scene yesterday, Cameron said when he was executive director of the Hagåtña Restoration and Redevelopment Authority last year, he recommended that guard rails be placed around the area to protect the public.
"I highly encourage the government and highway and safety division of the (Department of) Public Works to erect safety barriers throughout the area closest to the road," Cameron said.
Provided By: guampdn.com
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Union Pacific puts Brakes on Accidents
Union Pacific Railroad unveiled some new outdoor billboards Wednesday at its South San Antonio Rail Yard at 1711 Quintana Road.
The billboards will be part of the railroad’s new advertising campaign — Always Expect a Train — which encourages truck drivers to safely use railroad crossings.
The safety messages will go up on six billboards located along I-35, between Laredo and San Antonio.
The billboards include a yellow traffic sign that features an 18-wheeler truck stuck on railroad tracks. Along with this visual warning comes a variety of written reminders including, “Always expect a train,” “Keep your rear clear,” and “Cuidado con el tren.”
Mike Brazytis, superintendent for Union Pacific’s San Antonio Service Unit, says there’s been an increase in heavy truck traffic across the rail line that parallels I-35. The goal of the campaign, Brazytis says, is to remind truck drivers to stop for trains and ensure that their trucks are equipped to safely cross the tracks.
Union Pacific Corp. owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country. It also connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico. The railroad transports agricultural products, automobiles, chemicals, energy products and industrial products.
The billboards will be part of the railroad’s new advertising campaign — Always Expect a Train — which encourages truck drivers to safely use railroad crossings.
The safety messages will go up on six billboards located along I-35, between Laredo and San Antonio.
The billboards include a yellow traffic sign that features an 18-wheeler truck stuck on railroad tracks. Along with this visual warning comes a variety of written reminders including, “Always expect a train,” “Keep your rear clear,” and “Cuidado con el tren.”
Mike Brazytis, superintendent for Union Pacific’s San Antonio Service Unit, says there’s been an increase in heavy truck traffic across the rail line that parallels I-35. The goal of the campaign, Brazytis says, is to remind truck drivers to stop for trains and ensure that their trucks are equipped to safely cross the tracks.
Union Pacific Corp. owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country. It also connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico. The railroad transports agricultural products, automobiles, chemicals, energy products and industrial products.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Icy Mess
Light rain turned to ice on roads yesterday morning, causing dozens of spinouts and accidents throughout the region and sending several people to the hospital.
Cars and trucks were towed from snowbanks.
In Methuen, a school bus was pulling into Comprehensive Grammar School on Howe Street when it was hit by a car that slid on the icy road, said Methuen School Superintendent Judith Scannell.
She said there were no injuries, but an ambulance was called just in case.
"The bus was pulling in, a car slid, and it bumped into the bus," she said.
Police Lt. Michael Wnek said a report on the accident had not been filed because officers were busy all morning. From 7:24 to 8:50 a.m., there were 11 accident calls in Methuen.
There were several accidents on Reservoir Street, a steep residential road across from the entrance to Comprehensive Grammar.
Two sport utility vehicles were in a fender bender in front of 21 Reservoir St. around 8:10 a.m.
A short while later, a city sanding truck working on Worcester Street went out of control as it crossed the Reservoir Street intersection and did a 360-degree turn as it slid down Reservoir Street. The only thing stopping the truck were the two SUVs in the accident in the middle of the road.
The truck stopped sideways on the street, but was eventually removed by a public works driver using heavy doses of salt and sand.
Wnek said there also were accidents on Howe, Tyler, Lowell and Railroad streets and Independence Drive.
There appeared to be just one injury, he said. A pedestrian was hit by a car on Railroad Street at 8:04 a.m., and was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
In Haverhill, there were eight accidents between 6 and 11 a.m., according to police Lt. Kevin Dorr.
A car flipped on its side after hitting a snowbank on Rosemont Street, but the passenger and driver were not injured, he said.
Most of the rest of the cars just slid off the road and had to be towed.
In Andover, a multi-car accident on Interstate 93 north led to at least one injury around 7:30 a.m. During the accident, which was handled by state police, a propane tank on a canteen truck was punctured, leading town fire crews making sure it didn't explode. The tank was shut off without incident.
State police Trooper Sean Lewis said the accident involved five cars and the canteen truck. He said a 33-year-old woman from Wilmington was injured and taken to Holy Family Hospital for treatment.
On the way, however, the Andover town ambulance the woman was riding in broke down on Route 213. A Methuen ambulance was called to take the patient the rest of the way, according to Andover fire Lt. Robert Stabile.
There were at least three other accidents in Andover. One of the more serious happened at the intersection of Main and Wheeler streets when a tractor-trailer went through a red light and hit a car. A passenger in the car was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
State police in Andover at one point reported 'dozens' of accidents on interstates 495 and 93 in both directions. State police in Topsfield reported three rollovers on I-95.
According to Lewis, two cars were involved in an accident on I-495 north, just south of the Route 28 exit, that required two men to be hospitalized. A 42-year-old Lowell man's 2005 Toyota Camry collided with a 2005 Nissan Maxima driven by a 60-year-old man from Billerica. Both were taken to Lawrence General Hospital.
Right after that, at 7:51 a.m. in Methuen, a 2007 Ford Focus driven by a 61-year-old woman from North Andover was in an accident with a 2006 Kia Sedona driven by a 37-year-old woman from Lawrence. The Focus driver was taken to the hospital to be checked for minor injuries.
"The weather system caught people by surprise," Lewis said. "The ground was colder than people thought, and black ice is a factor. The stopping distance increased."
North Andover police and fire also responded to a report of a rollover on Middleton Road near the North Reading line. Middleton Road runs through Harold Parker State Forest.
Lt. Paul Gallagher said a Beverly man driving the vehicle was not injured and refused medical treatment.
"We had four cars off the road and another four accidents," Gallagher said, adding that there were no injuries. "It was like a flash-freeze in the area."
State police in Topsfield also reported numerous accidents on Route 95 in Amesbury and Boxford, including several rollovers.
Provided By: Eagle Tribune
Learn more about trucking accidents at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
WARNING: Big Rig Guillotine
More than 350 people a year are killed when a car strikes the back of a big truck and slides underneath. There are safety standards to prevent these so-called truck underride accidents, but a new study shows the protections aren't working.
Rear impact guards, fastened to the backs of big rigs, are designed to stop cars and prevent them from sliding underneath. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) put them to the test. The Institute crashed a 2010 Chevy Malibu, traveling 35 miles an hour, into the back of parked trailers. The rear guard that meets the U.S. standard gave way, and the car slid right under the trailer, crushing the vehicle. If there had been real occupants instead of crash dummies in the front seat, the IIHS said they would not have survived.
"Our tests show how easily some of these guards are failing at relatively moderate speeds," said institute president Adrian Lund. "The standards need to be stronger. These crashes don't have to be deaths or serious injuries."
Canada requires rear impact barriers that are 75 percent stronger than those in the U.S. In the IIHS crash tests, the Canadian-style guard held up properly when the car hit it.
For Nancy Meuleners, a rear under-ride crash has meant 40 surgeries and a changed life -- she lost her jaw and parts of her tongue.
"Speaking can be an issue. Eating. I can't eat normal foods," Meulener said.
Meuleners, of Bloomington Minnesota, has lobbied to get stronger rear guards, "We need lower, safer, more energy-absorbing guards," she said. She is understandably nervous when driving near a big rig. "They are a danger to me and to the American public, I feel, without proper underride bars on them."
"It doesn't provide the kind of underguard protection that clearly is called for," said Bill Graves, president of the American Trucking Associations, after being shown the test video.
Graves said, though, that there the right barrier design is a "complicated puzzle to solve."
"That's the question the federal government has been wrestling now for many years, is what's the strength we want," he said." What's too much? And what's not enough?"
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a statement today saying "it is well aware of the scope and severity of the truck underride issue."
The agency, part of the Department of Transportation, said it first identified problems in 2009 and has been studying the issue ever since. It said it hopes to finish its review next year.
"The driving public should know," said the statement from agency head David Strickland, "that we are already actively working to address the issues."
One big question: how long will that take? The last time the government raised rear underride standards, it took 20 years.
Provided by: ABC News
Learn more about trucking laws at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Rear impact guards, fastened to the backs of big rigs, are designed to stop cars and prevent them from sliding underneath. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) put them to the test. The Institute crashed a 2010 Chevy Malibu, traveling 35 miles an hour, into the back of parked trailers. The rear guard that meets the U.S. standard gave way, and the car slid right under the trailer, crushing the vehicle. If there had been real occupants instead of crash dummies in the front seat, the IIHS said they would not have survived.
"Our tests show how easily some of these guards are failing at relatively moderate speeds," said institute president Adrian Lund. "The standards need to be stronger. These crashes don't have to be deaths or serious injuries."
Canada requires rear impact barriers that are 75 percent stronger than those in the U.S. In the IIHS crash tests, the Canadian-style guard held up properly when the car hit it.
For Nancy Meuleners, a rear under-ride crash has meant 40 surgeries and a changed life -- she lost her jaw and parts of her tongue.
"Speaking can be an issue. Eating. I can't eat normal foods," Meulener said.
Meuleners, of Bloomington Minnesota, has lobbied to get stronger rear guards, "We need lower, safer, more energy-absorbing guards," she said. She is understandably nervous when driving near a big rig. "They are a danger to me and to the American public, I feel, without proper underride bars on them."
"It doesn't provide the kind of underguard protection that clearly is called for," said Bill Graves, president of the American Trucking Associations, after being shown the test video.
Graves said, though, that there the right barrier design is a "complicated puzzle to solve."
"That's the question the federal government has been wrestling now for many years, is what's the strength we want," he said." What's too much? And what's not enough?"
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a statement today saying "it is well aware of the scope and severity of the truck underride issue."
The agency, part of the Department of Transportation, said it first identified problems in 2009 and has been studying the issue ever since. It said it hopes to finish its review next year.
"The driving public should know," said the statement from agency head David Strickland, "that we are already actively working to address the issues."
One big question: how long will that take? The last time the government raised rear underride standards, it took 20 years.
Provided by: ABC News
Learn more about trucking laws at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Unattentive Truck Driver Crashes
A semi-truck driver could face criminal charges for an accident Sunday in McDowell County that killed a passenger, shut down the highway and spilled battery acid, the N.C. Highway Patrol said Monday.
David B. Small, 53, of New Jersey, was driving south down the mountain on U.S. 221 about 20 miles north of Marion when he lost control of the vehicle. The truck hit a rock and started to flip over. The cab came to rest on a runaway truck ramp, and the trailer stopped against a rock wall.
The truck and trailer were destroyed.
“It was a violent accident,” N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Chris Robinson said.
Ricky Dave McDuffie, 51, of Bishopville, S.C., was killed in the accident. Small was airlifted to Mission Hospital and is listed in serious condition.
Both the driver and the passenger were wearing seat belts.
The accident is still under investigation, but Robinson believes excessive speed could have been a factor. He is considering charges against the driver.
“I am going to talk to the DA, but I have not done that yet,” he said.
The driver stated that he lost the ability to use his brakes, according to the N.C. Highway Patrol.
Robinson said the brakes could have gotten too hot as the truck came down the mountain. Witnesses reported smelling burnt truck brakes.
“It's a pretty steep grade,” he said. “It's like 6 percent. If you do not travel it often, you could get going too fast.”
The area has seen several major accidents in recent years, Robinson said.
The highway was closed for nearly 24 hours after the accident, which occurred about noon Sunday. The truck was hauling batteries that power lawnmowers and motorcycles. About 2,000 batteries were scattered around the accident, spilling battery acid.
A hazardous materials team was sent to the scene to clean up the battery acid and the batteries. McDowell County Emergency Management director Terry Young said the team worked through the night to contain the hazardous material and reopen the road.
Young said crews put down lime to neutralize the battery acid and excavated some soil that had been contaminated. Rain on Sunday complicated the effort.
There was some environmental damage, he said, “but nothing major.”
“The streams were far enough away,” Young said.
Provided By: citizentimes.com
Learn more about trucking accidents at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
David B. Small, 53, of New Jersey, was driving south down the mountain on U.S. 221 about 20 miles north of Marion when he lost control of the vehicle. The truck hit a rock and started to flip over. The cab came to rest on a runaway truck ramp, and the trailer stopped against a rock wall.
The truck and trailer were destroyed.
“It was a violent accident,” N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Chris Robinson said.
Ricky Dave McDuffie, 51, of Bishopville, S.C., was killed in the accident. Small was airlifted to Mission Hospital and is listed in serious condition.
Both the driver and the passenger were wearing seat belts.
The accident is still under investigation, but Robinson believes excessive speed could have been a factor. He is considering charges against the driver.
“I am going to talk to the DA, but I have not done that yet,” he said.
The driver stated that he lost the ability to use his brakes, according to the N.C. Highway Patrol.
Robinson said the brakes could have gotten too hot as the truck came down the mountain. Witnesses reported smelling burnt truck brakes.
“It's a pretty steep grade,” he said. “It's like 6 percent. If you do not travel it often, you could get going too fast.”
The area has seen several major accidents in recent years, Robinson said.
The highway was closed for nearly 24 hours after the accident, which occurred about noon Sunday. The truck was hauling batteries that power lawnmowers and motorcycles. About 2,000 batteries were scattered around the accident, spilling battery acid.
A hazardous materials team was sent to the scene to clean up the battery acid and the batteries. McDowell County Emergency Management director Terry Young said the team worked through the night to contain the hazardous material and reopen the road.
Young said crews put down lime to neutralize the battery acid and excavated some soil that had been contaminated. Rain on Sunday complicated the effort.
There was some environmental damage, he said, “but nothing major.”
“The streams were far enough away,” Young said.
Provided By: citizentimes.com
Learn more about trucking accidents at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
Criminal Charges Follow Trucking Accident
The driver of a truck equipped with a height-reaching "cherry picker" freely told Memphis police on Sunday that he was driving when the truck snagged overhead lines and struck a pole in Whitehaven.
But officers called about 7:45 p.m. to Brooks and Lakeview grew suspicious when they heard comments such as, "Girl, you did it this time," from people gathered at a store there after the crash.
Police determined that a woman on the scene, Lori A. Johnson, 46, of Enville, Tenn., southeast of Jackson, was actually driving the truck, according to a court affidavit. They charged her with giving false information in an accident report, reckless driving, driving while her license is revoked, without a license in her possession and without insurance.
The man who claimed he was was driving, Malcolme J. Mosley, 53, of Memphis, was charged with giving false information in an accident report.
Provided By: The Commercial Appeal
Learn more about trucking accidents at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
But officers called about 7:45 p.m. to Brooks and Lakeview grew suspicious when they heard comments such as, "Girl, you did it this time," from people gathered at a store there after the crash.
Police determined that a woman on the scene, Lori A. Johnson, 46, of Enville, Tenn., southeast of Jackson, was actually driving the truck, according to a court affidavit. They charged her with giving false information in an accident report, reckless driving, driving while her license is revoked, without a license in her possession and without insurance.
The man who claimed he was was driving, Malcolme J. Mosley, 53, of Memphis, was charged with giving false information in an accident report.
Provided By: The Commercial Appeal
Learn more about trucking accidents at http://truckinglawattorney.com/
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