"Second I-78 Accident In Matter Of Days"

Must have never been taught to respect their elders!


By the way...YOU sound so youthful and intelligent on the phone!

 

Good lookin' too!

 

Very Very nicely put my prayers go with your...

 

Sometimes a rear end collision can be an accident.
I was coming off the Tacoma Narrows Bridge one night heading into Bremerton. It was just after dark, had 5 of my kids with me. There was a car stopped in the right lane. No 4 ways, and he must have had it in neutral or park because his brake lights weren't on either. So I'm coming up on him at 65 and I thought he was just a slow moving car so I slowed down and checked my mirror to get over. I was within 3 to 5 seconds of slamming into him before I realized he wasn't slow moving traffic but stopped. Initially I thought maybe it was a driver unfamiliar with the road and was taking it at 50ish. Happens a lot, especially at night and when they're trying to find an exit. Road was clear all the way around, no idea why he was stopped. I managed to get around him but it was close. Too close.
I'm just throwing out my experience, it was the closest I ever came to hitting somebody from behind. Why anybody would stop in the middle of the lane without their foot on the brake or hazard lights flashing is beyond me. Especially if theres no traffic or construction ahead of them. If I had hit him I would consider that to be an accident.
Julie
:smt059

 

yes Julie but in a Semi all the rules change..The professional is always at fault and suppose to know all the rules in all the states they drive in...My sister got a ticket and I felt bad for her in Oregon because of a permit..I don't remember all the details except she was told if she was to be driving in OR she was responsible to know the OR state laws..It isn't fair but it is the law if it is a rear end the driver who does it is at fault...

 

Oh yeah, I totally agree that it would be my fault. I was just offering it as an example that there are some scary and crazy driving conditions out there. I'm sure every professional driver with a few million miles under their seat has seen this one: The car with no taillights. Seen that too many times. Just clipping along, don't see the car until your headlights hit a reflector or glint off a chrome bumper. That'll wake you up in a hurry. Seen it on a couple of old trailers too. Always call up the driver on the cb to let him know his tail lights are out. The road can be a scary place.
Julie
:smt059

 

Sure, and yo are a safe, attentive driver who avoided an accident. Good job!

Why is there cat hair on my keyboard? Gonna have to kill da kitty!

 

here a scary one lumber flying off the back of a flat bed trailor

 

You guys/gals are all great it's nice to have a place where adults can talk. I will let you know up front that I am a family member of the deceased. You all have been very kind.

I agree murderer is a harsh term to use on someone that may have just been reckless. To be a murderer would require premeditation and that is something I doubt Mr. Banks had.

A truck or any vehicle is a weapon when used recklessly. We all choose a profession where certain dangers are known to be possible. Whether a papercut or a bullet. Some occupations have more apparent dangers than others. For trucks one of these dangers is that traffic will be heavy on certain roads. DOT puts up signs letting drivers know the dangers are ahead though.

I do not have all the facts of the case because of the invest but the coroners office, who would, released a statement saying the cause of death was vehicular homicide. Coroner: New Jersey Family Was Killed In I-78 Crash : The Morning Call Online

For the cause of death to be ruled homicide by the coroners office there has to be a willful and wanton disregard for human life. If some one is driving reckless, with a wanton disregard for a situation, and causes a death in PA it is a crime. It is a crime in PA even if it is an unborn child that dies. By defintion commiting these acts would make them a criminal, acutally a felon. This has a prison term of 3-7 years for each count, lost of license, voting rights etc.

I can't pass judgement on Mr. Banks but I do have faith in the legal system. If they find him not guilty then so be it. I cannot imagine my step-father causing such a horrific accident. He has many grandchildren and to kill a child would destroy him. The pain he must feel has to be tremendous.

I'm sure that everyone has had an accident that they could have avoided. I'm not saying that accidents don't happen because that would be foolish. The point is most accidents don't wipe out entire families. Most accidents aren't at such a speed that they compress an SUV. It's a sad event that will hopefully be learned from, I know I have.

 

I wanted to thank you all and wish everyone and their families a Happy Holiday :smt114 !!!!