Tag Archives: crash

Tracy Morgan, 45, by New Brunswick, NJ, Injured in Van vs. Semi Crash

June 8, 2014 Mike

Who:
Tracy Morgan, 45, a noted celebrity and former star of “30 Rock”, was critically injured at around 1 AM close to New Brunswick, New Jersey on the Turnpike on Saturday, 6/7/14. He was a passenger in a 2014-era 2500 High Roof 170″ WB Mercedes Sprinter van, in which James McNair, 63, Morgan’s writer, was killed and three others–Jeff Millea (critically), Ardie Fuqua, and Harris Stanton, were also injured. The driver was unhurt. The collision involved six vehicles and took place at mile marker 71.5 in the northbound turnpike. They were impacted by a Peterbilt semi trailer driven by Kevin Roper, 35, from Georgia. A Buick, Ford-150, and another semi trailer were also involved in the collision.

How:
Per police reports, the Sprinter was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler whose driver had been dozing and had not noticed that traffic had begun to slow in front of him until it was too late. He noticed the Sprinter just before the impact. After being impacted from behind, the Sprinter rotated clockwise and rolled over onto the driver side. While swerving, it contacted the Buick, which then contacted the F-150 and second semi. The truck driver was charged with assault by auto and death by auto.

Why:
This is another case where fatigue behind the wheel led to needless deaths and injury. Such crashes are more likely at night, as was this one, since individuals are more likely to fall asleep while driving during nighttime hours, since humans are diurnal, or naturally active during the daytime.

Investigating the physics of the crash, the survival of Tracy and most of the individuals in the Sprinter was likely due to the low relative difference in speed between the Sprinter and the Peterbuilt semi truck. The 2014 2500 Sprinter weighs 6128 lbs. It was impacted by a Peterbilt semi that can weigh 35,000 lbs or more, or 5711% of the Sprinter’s weight. As a result, if the Sprinter were traveling at 35 mph due to the traffic while the semi were traveling at 65 mph at the moment of impact, that would have created a 30 mph speed differential.

Given the likely speeds of the collision, then (~30 mph), the collision likely imparted at least 1.43MJ of energy into the Sprinter. This is a tremendous amount of energy, and explains the significant structural damage and collapse of the rear portion of the Sprinter. However, the structural strength of the Sprinter design kept the entire vehicle from caving in, preserving the majority of the passenger compartment. It is likely that the sole fatality that resulted occurred because James had been sitting in the rear-most portion of the vehicle, and may have suffered the most trauma as a result.

It is currently unknown how many of the individuals on the Sprinter were wearing seat belts. However, wearing such belts would certainly have aided them in the collision, simply by giving them time to “ride down” the collision instead of being thrown within the vehicle as it was thrown forward and into other vehicles due to the impact of the Peterbilt.

This was ultimately a wholly preventable tragedy. Statistics show that truck driver fatigue is a significant risk faced by the majority of truck drivers on the road, who can drive for as long as 11 hours in a row without being required to take a break. Furthermore, many drivers work longer than these requirements in order to bring in their deliveries on time. Changes need to be made in these regulations to protect truck drivers and ultimately to protect all travelers on the road by extension. This becomes particularly evident when one considers that semi truck sleep regulations have actually become *weaker* since 2004, when drivers were only allowed to drive up to 10 hours before taking a break.

While the driver certainly bears responsibility for causing the collision, we need greater changes at the legislative level to reduce the risks of such tragedies reoccurring.

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Candice Martin, 18, in Graham, TX, Killed in Car vs. Pickup Crash

June 2, 2014 Mike

Who:

Candice Martin, 18, a Graham High School senior, was killed early on the morning of Wednesday, 4/16/14, in Graham, TX, while driving to catch a school bus for a local track meet. She was northbound on Highway 27 in a 2002 Toyota Camry and crossed the center line to impact a southbound 2011 F-250. She died while being airlifted to a hospital, while the other driver, Marshall Hamilton, suffered minor injuries.

How:

Martin was northbound on Highway 67 and apparently crossed the center line and impacted the F-250 head on. Witnesses reportedly talked to her while waiting for the paramedics to arrive, and she died while airlifted by medical helicopter away from the scene.

Why:

It’s unknown at this time why Martin crossed the center line, but the most likely culprit is distracted driving, especially given the limited experience teenagers have as drivers compared to the general population (which is reflected in their higher risks of being involved in fatal collisions).

Investigating the physics of the crash, it is sadly not surprising that Martin died while the F-250 occupant lived, as her vehicle was massively outweighed by the Ford. The 2002 Camry weighs 3276 lbs and comes with a “good” IIHS frontal score. It was impacted by a 2011 F-250, that apparently weighs, on average, more than 7000 lbs, or 214% of the Camry’s weight. As a result, the Camry’s driver automatically faced 114% more force in the collision than she would have if she’d collided with another Camry, placing her at a severe disadvantage in the collision. The Ford occupant, meanwhile, experienced 53% lower forces due to the weight advantage.

Given the likely speeds of the collision (~55 mph), the collision likely imparted at least 960KJ of energy into the Camry. The Camry frontal impact test simulates 238KJ of energy (a Camry impacting another at 40 mph). In other words, the Camry driver faced 403% of the force she’d have experienced in the type of crash her car was rated for. Given the speed of the collision, her odds of survival were, sadly, quite small.

The F-250’s frontal test, had it had one, would simulate 508KJ of energy (a Ford impacting another at 40 mph), indicating that its occupants would have faced 88% of the forces the vehicle was rated to safely withstand, given that the Camry imparted 449KJ of energy into the Ford. This was clearly a survivable collision for the Ford’s occupants, which was reflected in the driver’s survival and lack of significant injuries.

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Two Adults Killed while Toddler Lives in Fridley, MN, in Car vs. Semi Crash

May 30, 2014 Mike

Who:
Wilbur Hooks, 32, and Patricia Hooks, 31, were killed on Friday, 4/4/14, at around 8 PM, on eastbound I-694 in Fridley, Minnesota, when their 2007 Chrysler 300 crashed into the back of a semi-trailer close to Matterhorn Drive. Patricia had been pregnant and was due this fall. Both Hooks died at the scene on impact while the couple’s son, Bishop, 2, survived in the rear seat with minor injuries. The driver of the semi, Steven Pothen, 68, was uninjured.

How:
Per reports, the Chrysler 300 traveled at a high rate of speed, perhaps in excess of 100 mph, while weaving in and out of traffic until colliding with the rear end of a semi trailer. Both adults died at the scene. Patricia was wearing her belt and her airbag deployed. Bishop was in the rear seat in a car seat and was not seriously injured.

Why:
This was, sadly, another textbook example of a passenger vehicle-large truck fatality due to a rear underride. It looks like a full frontal overlap in the picture. Trailer rear underride guards are designed to withstand a 35 mph full or moderate overlap without causing catastrophic injuries (death) to the impacting vehicle, which indicates Hooks must have been traveling at significantly more than 35 mph (relative to the trailer) to have impacted with enough force to lead to that level of cabin intrusion (which would be classified as catastrophic, as the intrusion extended past the B frame of the vehicle). Indeed, various reports have suggested they were traveling at over 100 mph, which would have been at least 35 mph faster than a semi trailer traveling at 65 mph.

Catastrophic levels of intrusion are virtually unsurvivable. Despite the strong front safety score of the 2007 300, there was virtually no chance of survival for front passengers in such an impact. The reasons for the crash are still unknown, but they almost certainly were due to driver inattention and speeding. Family reported Hooks “loved to drive fast,” while the vehicle was reported to have woven through traffic before the impact, and no sign of braking was detected.

It is essential to repeat that this crash was preventable, but that virtually no passenger vehicle exists that would have protected them at the speeds at which they likely crashed, as the significant marker of trailer underride crashes is that the part that results in death–the trailer itself–is above the crash-absorbing structures of virtually every vehicle on the road.

The most significant part of this story, however, is not the deaths of the parents, but the survival of the child. 2 year old Bishop Hooks survived the crash because he was strapped into a car seat. It is unknown whether or not he was rear-facing, but given his survival with non-life threatening injuries, it is possible that he was. Of course, it was also necessary for there to be a survivable space within the vehicle, which clearly only existed in the rear of the vehicle. However, without a car seat, Bishop would not be alive today. He will live with his grandmother, per family reports.

Rear face your children as long as possible.

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Sarah Kamp, 32, by Freeport, IL, Killed in SUV vs. SUV Crash

May 25, 2014 Mike

2018 update:

Jason Kamp, Sarah’s husband, won a $3 million settlement for wrongful death against Stephenson County due to the failure of the county to replace the sign or provide an adequate warning the morning of the crash. It doesn’t bring back his wife or unborn child, but it does hopefully make life easier for him and his son.

Who:

Sarah Kamp, 32, of Byron, an English teacher at Polo High School, was killed 5/20/13 at at 7:07 AM at the intersection of Rock City Rd and Montague Rd 6 miles to the SE of Freeport, IL. She drove a 2002 Toyota Rav4 and was impacted by a 2006 Saturn Vue driven by Barbara Faulkner, 56. Faulkner and a 19-year old passenger received non-life-threatening injuries. Per Kamp’s husband, Jason, she was pregnant and on the way to a medical checkup that morning. She leaves behind her husband and 21-month old son, Nathan.

How:

Per police reports, Kamp was westbound on Montague and entered the intersection with Rock City Rd without stopping at the stop sign that would typically have been located there. In the process, she was impacted by a northbound Vue on the driver’s side. She died at OSF in Rockford, where she was airlifted. All occupants were belted. Per police reports, the stop sign had been reported missing 16 minutes prior to the crash. The sign was located nearby in a field and had apparently been damaged by weather, suggesting it had been blown away the previous night due to weather conditions. Later reports revealed that the sign had been reported missing at the intersection up to an hour before the crash, but that the information had not been relayed to road crews until a few minutes before the crash.

Why:

This is a sad, sad case. From reading additional reports, it seems that weather conditions led to the sign’s displacement, the sign was reported missing at 6:51 AM, and that a dispatcher forgot to relay the information regarding the downed sign to the appropriate resources as s/he took another call. There was a 7 AM shift change, and no one was notified, and the crash then occurred at 7:07. It is unclear whether the highway department would have been able to reach the scene in time had the call been relayed, but it would certainly have helped Kamp’s odds of survival.

Given these dynamics, the 2002 RAV4 weighs ~3113 lbs and is classified as a small SUV. It has a “poor” side score, since it did not come with side airbags standard. The 2006 Vue weighs ~3534 lbs as a small SUV. It had a “good” frontal crash score.

Given the likely speeds of the collision (~55 mph), the collision likely imparted at least 485KJ of energy into the Rav4 / Vue. The standard side impact test simulates 143KJ of energy (a 3300-lb sled impacting a vehicle at 31 mph). In other words, the Rav4 occupant faced 339% of the force she’d have experienced in the types of crashes cars are side rated for. On top of this, her car already failed the side test due to high risks of pelvic fractures, serious neck injuries, rib fractures, and internal organ injuries.

Meanwhile, the Vue was designed to perform well in a frontal impact test simulating 256KJ of energy (i.e., a Vue impacting its twin at 40 mph). The Vue’s occupants faced 189% of these forces. Their survival was expected, despite the significantly higher forces, and is a testament to the “good” frontal score, the presence of front airbags, and the occupants’ use of seat belts. It is essential to note, however, given the split second dynamics of the crash, that had the Rav4 entered the intersection a moment later, it might have impacted the Vue in the passenger side, resulting in almost certain death to the 19-year old passenger and potentially to the vehicle’s driver, as the Vue also had a “poor” side impact score. The Rav4 driver, in turn, would almost certainly have survived such a crash.

I cannot recommend the 2002-era Rav4, 2006-era Vue, or any other vehicle that does not come standard with head/torso side airbags. The stakes are just too high.

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Five Killed in Farmingdale, NY, in Car vs. SUV Crash

May 12, 2014 Mike

Who:
Jesse Romero, 18, Carley Lonnborg, 14, Noah Francis, 15, Cody Talanian, 18, and Tristan Reichle, 17, were killed slightly past midnight on Saturday, 5/10/14 in Farmingdale, NY, when their 2001 Nissan Sentra swerved into the oncoming lane and crashed into a 2010-era GMC Terrain. All five teens in the Sentra died. There were 2 occupants in the Terrain, a 53-year-old male driver and a female passenger, who were in serious condition. All teens were Farmingdale High School students.

How:
The Sentra was westbound on Conklin St. and crossed into the eastbound lane. Two of the male occupants in the Sentra were ejected from the vehicle. Witnesses stated the Sentra had been traveling at a high rate of speed. They were reportedly drag racing.

Why:
This is another sad case of speeding leading to a preventable collision and fatality. It is also a sad reflection of the increased risks of fatalities present when teenagers are behind the wheel, as well as when they carry a number of passengers.

The 2001 Sentra weighs 2650 lbs and comes with an “acceptable” IIHS frontal score. It was impacted by a 2010-era Terrain, which is a twin of the Chevrolet Equinox, that weighs 4189 lbs, or 158% of the Fusion’s weight. As a result, the Sentra automatically faced 58% more force in the collision than it would have colliding with another Sentra, placing it at a severe disadvantage in the collision. The Terrain, meanwhile, experienced 37% lower forces due to the weight advantage.

Given the likely speeds of the collision (~50 mph), the collision likely imparted at least 475KJ of energy into the Sentra. The Sentra frontal impact test simulates 192KJ of energy (a Sentra impacting another at 40 mph). In other words, the Sentra faced 247% of the force it would have experienced in the type of crash the vehicle was rated for. The individuals who were ejected were almost certainly unbelted, sealing their fates. The deaths of the remaining 2 occupants may have been due to the forces present in the collision or due to a lack of seat belt use.

The Terrain’s frontal test simulates 304KJ of energy (a Terrain impacting another at 40 mph), indicating that its occupants would have faced 99% of the forces the vehicle was rated to safely withstand, given that the Sentra imparted 300KJ of energy into the Terrain. This was clearly a survivable collision for the Terrain’s occupants, which was reflected in the survival of the occupants.

This is another preventable set of fatalities that occurred due to the decision to speed. I have to wonder if it might not have been preventable had the parents of the teenagers had some means of awareness of where and how quickly their teens were driving, such as through GPS technology.

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35,000 Americans will die this year on the road. You don't have to be one of them. A car seat and car safety blog to promote best practices for families.