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