Tag Archives: crash

Family of Six from Upper Arlington, OH, Killed in 2-Car Crash

The Who:

Date: 10/18/13, 1:30 AM.
Fatalities: 6 (Eid Badi Shahad, 39; Entisar W. Hameed, 31; Shuaa Badi, 16; Amma Badi, 14; Ekbal Badi, 12; Lina Badi, 2).
Injuries: 1 (Shawn Paytner, 30).

Where: Riverside Dr & Fishinger Rd, Upper Arlington, OH.
Vehicles: Ford Crown Victoria (police interceptor), Toyota Corolla (2000-era).

Human element: The Shahad family emigrated three years ago to the US from Iraq as Syrian refugees. In addition to their 4 daughters, they had 5 sons between the ages of 5 and 17 who were not in the vehicle but who also lived with the family. Per family accounts, the family had spent the evening with friends and was driving home at the time of the collision.

The How:

Upper Arlington Police Officer Shawn Paynter was driving northbound on Riverside Dr. responding to a McDonalds armed robbery and abduction at 1905 W. Henderson Rd. Paynter had his lights and sirens on and was traveling at up to 86 mph when responding to the call. At the Fishinger Rd intersection, Shahad was driving westbound and ran a red light. He slowed close to a stop, and then began to roll through the intersection. Paytner saw him, veered to the right in a deliberate effort to avoid the Corolla, and was able to slow down to approx. 49 mph before impacting the Corolla (a full frontal impact for the Ford, and a driver’s side impact for the Toyota). Of the 7 vehicle occupants, only Hameed was wearing a seat belt. Every occupant of the Corolla died, while Paynter survived with head injuries, although he was able to return to work a month later.

The Why:

Risk factors:
Running a red light.
Driving without seat belts.
Driving at night.
Speed (on the part of the officer).
Lighter vehicle in collision.
Lack of side airbags.
Overloaded vehicle.
Distracted driving.

Protective factors:
Seat belt use (Hameed).

Vehicle analysis: This is an extremely sad and extremely preventable tragedy. First of all, the entire collision could have been prevented had Shahad not run the red light. Investigative reports indicate the light would have been clearly visible to Shahad for several seconds prior to the collision, and toxicology reports concluded he had not been drinking or consuming drugs. However, his refusal to stop may have been related to the late hour (driving at night = fatigue?) or due to distractions from the high number of occupants (in particular, children) in the vehicle. Whatever the reason, he ran the light.

The running of the light was why the crash occurred, but it is possible that there could have been survivors if all of the occupants of the Corolla had worn seat belts. Only Hameed, the mother, wore a seat belt, which meant that none of the children or husband did, which meant they each turned into projectiles and likely contributed to the trauma each suffered, including Hameed, in the vehicle. The risk of fatalities in collisions where even one occupant is unbelted is significantly higher due to the forces the unbelted occupant places on belted occupants, not to mention on himself or herself.

It is also significant to note that with 6 people in the Corolla, it would have been impossible for each to have been belted, as the Corolla seats 5 individuals. It is likely that the 2-year old sat in the lap of either the belted mother or one of the unbelted children in the rear seats. The 2-year old should have been in a car seat like any of these..

Paynter’s survival of the collision is entirely attributable to the greater weight of his vehicle and its good frontal score, which was based on the vehicle’s frontal structure and presence of a frontal airbag. He significantly increased his risk of death by not wearing his seat belt, and received head injuries in the impact. However, the standard moderate offset crash, which is even more strenuous than the full frontal impact-type crash that Paynter experienced, is at 40 mph, or considerably closer to the 49 mph impact Paynter experienced than 49 mph is to the tested side impact speed of 31 mph (more on that in the following paragraph). He is lucky to have survived, and likely impacted his frontal air bag and possibly the steering wheel through the air bag due to his lack of belt restraint, but was able to survive his injuries because he inhabited a much heavier, well scoring, and airbag equipped car.

The speed of the officer also certainly played a role in the deaths of the Corolla occupants, although he was legally allowed the speeds at which he was traveling and had the right of way. However, the intersection of the vehicle speed and the safety features of the vehicles came sharply into play here. The 2000-era Corolla, a small car, weighs around 2504 lbs, while the 2008-era Crown Victoria, a large car, weighs ~ 4074 lbs, or 63% more. The fact that the Crown Victoria was a police interceptor version means it likely weighed significantly more than this. In other words, the Corolla occupants faced 23% more force than they would have if impacted by the 3300-lb test sled in the IIHS side impact test from mass alone. At 49 mph, the Crown Victoria imparted 250% more force on the Corolla than it would have at the IIHS side impact test speed of 31 mph. Combining the higher mass and higher speed (KE = .5*m*v^2), the Crown Victoria imparted 443KJ of energy. The standard side impact test simulates 143KJ of energy (a 3300-lb sled impacting a vehicle at 31 mph). In other words, the Corolla occupants faced 310% of the force they’d have experienced in the types of crashes cars are side rated for. And the 2000-era Corolla didn’t come with side airbags of any kind as a standard feature, which are a big part of why the side impacts the IIHS tests for are survivable.

A review of the post-impact photos shows a severe amount of intrusion into the Corolla cabin and essentially no intrusion into the Crown Victoria, as would have been predicted by the frontal score of the Crown Victoria, within which it received a “good” mark overall and a “good” score for its structure and safety cage. The Corolla had no side impact rating, but would clearly have received a “poor” rating overall due to the lack of side airbags and a “poor” rating for its structure and safety cage.

Finally, the most significant elements to take away from this tragic story is that it would have been wholly preventable had the Corolla stopped at the light. The next best element would have been for all of the vehicle’s occupants to have worn their seat belts or car seats, although given the poor side impact performance of the Corolla and the speed at which the impact occurred, it is likely that there would still have been multiple fatalities.

If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

Romaric Profeta, 47, in Las Vegas, NV, Killed in Single Car Rollover

The Who:

Date: 3/22/14, 10:15 AM.
Fatalities: 1, Romaric Profeta Par.

Where: Durango Drive and Desert Inn Road, Las Vegas, NV.
Vehicles: 2012 Nissan Leaf.

Humanity: Lots of people saw the accident, including children, as track and soccer practices were occurring nearby. This is the 22nd fatal accident in the area this year.

The How: 
Profeta was speeding southbound on Durango. He entered the Desert Inn intersection and could not stay in his lane. The vehicle veered right and left the roadway just south of the intersection, ventured into a landscaping area and rolled over. Profeta was ejected during the rollover and landed in the rock landscaping a number of feet from the Leaf. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Why:

Risk factors: 
Lack of seat belt use (much, much greater ejection risk in a rollover).
Speeding (implicated in 1/3 fatal crashes).

Protective factors:
Safe vehicle.

Vehicle Analysis: This crash might certainly have been survivable had Profeta been wearing his seat belt. The Leaf, classified as a small car by the IIHS, features good front, side, and roof scores, as well as ESC, ABS, and head/torso air bags. The most relevant elements to this crash were the presence of ESC, the side airbags, and the strong roof score. The ESC likely reduced the severity of the rollover once it was imminent. The side bags would have kept his head and body from suffering fatal trauma against the vehicle during the rollover, while the strong roof would have kept his head from being crushed as the vehicle rolled. At the end of the roll, he might have simply opened his door and walked out of the vehicle, dazed but alive. However, none of these elements were able to protect him, as he flew out the window of the vehicle during the rollover because he wasn’t wearing his seat belt. Witness reports indicate citizens at the scene attempted to give him CPR while others directed traffic around the scene. Additional witnesses suggest Profeta was traveling at possibly 70 mph, hit a boulder after leaving the road, and rolled the vehicle four times, flying 50 feet through the air when ejected.

If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

Suaveya Williams, 21, of Rockford, IL, Killed in Car vs. Utility Pole Crash

The Who:

Date: 3/23/14, 2 AM.
Fatalities: 1. Sauveya Williams, 21.
Injuries: 18-year old with serious injuries, 18-year old and 19-year old with minor injuries.

Where: 1300 block of Seminary & Catherine St, Rockford, IL.
Vehicles: 1998 Chevrolet Lumina.
Impact: Front (est.).

Humanity: Williams was engaged and the mother of a young child. The crash caused a power outage in the area.

The How: Williams appeared to have been traveling southbound on Seminary and crashed into the utility pole before impacting the vacant building at 2 AM. The seriously injured passenger was ejected from the vehicle.

The Why:

Risk factors: 
Driving drunk (Implicated in 1 out of every 3 fatal crashes last year and every year).
Driving at night (13 percent of deaths occurred between midnight and 3 AM last year).
Driving on Sunday (17 percent of deaths occurred on Sunday last year).
Collision with utility pole (14% of fixed object crash deaths last year).
Driving with several young passengers (increased risk of distraction).
Speed (more likely at night, and implicated in 1/3rd of fatal crashes).

Protective factors:
Youth of driver / passengers.

Vehicle analysis: 
The Chevy Lumina, classified as a large car by the IIHS, weighed 3331 lbs and received a “Good” frontal score. However, the impact was likely a high speed collision, significantly increasing Williams’ odds of injury. The presence of three passengers in the vehicle, the time at which the accident occurred, and the young age of the driver also suggest distracted or impaired driving, which was later confirmed in reports. Furthermore, the Lumina did not come with ESC, while ABS was only an optional feature, reducing Williams’ odds of successfully recovering from a loss of control at any speed. The seriously injured passenger was possibly not wearing a seat belt, as the risk of ejection in a crash is several times greater in such cases.

If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

Jeffrie Whiting, 51, in Cherry Valley, IL, Killed in Car-Van Crash

The Who:

Date: 2/11/2014, ~ 9:15 PM.
Fatalities: 1. Jeffrey Whiting, 51.
Injuries: Sedona driver (non-life-threatening).

Where: U.S. 20 and Elgin St. in Cherry Valley,  IL.
Vehicles: 2001 Honda Civic, Kia Sedona (2002-2005).

Impact:
Front impact (Civic), Passenger side (Sedona).

Humanity: Jeff Whiting is survived by Paula Lamont, his loving companion, as well as her children. He worked a Sports N More and had previously worked as a CAD engineer.

The How: Jeff was heading east on US 20 in his Civic, when he collided with a Sedona attempting to turn left to Elgin St. The front of the Civic collided with the passenger side of the Sedona. Both drivers required extrication. Jeff was taken to the hospital and died of his injuries before 4 AM.

The Why: 

Risk factors: Lighter car in collision, driving at night, high speed collision.

Protective factors: Good frontal impact score.

Vehicle analysis: As is often the case, the lighter vehicle fared worse in this collision. The 2001 Civic is rated “Good” in front impacts, but it also only weighed 2507 lbs. The 2002-2005 Sedona doesn’t have a side impact rating, and doesn’t have side airbags, so it would almost certainly have received a “Poor” rating. However, it also weighed 4,665 lbs. Even though the weight should not have impacted the forces the Sedona driver experienced due to its being a side impact, the weight did mean Jeff experienced 86% more force in the crash than he would have if he’d collided with another Civic.

Given the likely speeds of the collision (~65 mph), the collision likely imparted at least 480KJ of energy into the Civic / Sedona. The Civic frontal impact test simulates 182KJ of energy (a Civic impacting another at 40 mph). In other words, the Civic driver faced 264% of the force he’d have experienced in the type of crash her car was rated for. Given the speed of the collision, his odds of survival were low, and non-existent if he were unbelted.

The survival of the Sedona driver in a high speed side impact in a vehicle without airbags is noteworthy. He was likely protected by the greater ride height of his vehicle, possible seat belt use, and the fact that the vehicle impacting him weighed 32% less than the standard 3300-lb test sled used in IIHS side impact tests. The fact that the collision also occurred on the opposite side of the driver also made a significant difference; it is likely that the Sedona driver would have fared severely worse had the Civic impacted the driver’s side door.

If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

Father, 2 Children by Lockhart, TX, Killed in Van-SUV Crash

The Who:

Date: 1/23/14.
Fatalities: 3.
Who: Joe Anthony Salas-Castro, 29, Joe Anthony Salas, 9, and Jayden Joshua Salas, 4.
Injuries: Jazalynn Nicole Salas, 2 (serious, expected to recover). Enrique Alvarez, 35 (not-life threatening).

Where: Near FM 1185 and Highway 183, N of Lockhart, TX.
Vehicles: Maroon GMC Jimmy, FedEx Van.
Seat Belts: No (3 fatalities). Yes (Jazalynn).
Impact Location: Driver’s side of Jimmy.

Human element: Joe and his two sons died. One son was in the 4th grade, while the other was a preschooler. They are survived by Jazalynn and Frances Lopez, the partner of Salas-Castro and mother of the three children.

The How:

Joe was driving northbound on Highway 183. Alvarez, meanwhile, was driving eastbound, and did not stop at a flashing red light. As a result, he T-boned the Jimmy heading through the intersection. Both vehicles experienced rollovers due to the impact, with the Jimmy rolling multiple times. Jayden, 4, in the rear passenger seat, was not wearing a seat belt, and was thrown from the vehicle during the rollover, and died at the scene. Joe and Joe Jr. sat in the front seats of the vehicle. Neither were wearing seat belts, and both died at the scene. Jazalynn was in a car seat in the back of the vehicle, and was removed by witnesses.

The Why:

Risk factors: Vehicle did not yield at intersection, lack of seat belt use, lighter vehicle in collision, lack of side airbags.

Protective factors: Car seat usage in 2 year old.

Vehicle analysis: The collision occurred because the Fedex driver did not yield the right of way. However, the deaths most likely occurred because none of the deceased wore seat belts. One child was thrown from the vehicle, while the others likely suffered blunt force trauma due to collisions with the inside of the vehicle during the rollovers. The only survivor in the Jimmy was the only individual properly restrained, the 2 year old. She was likely restrained in a car seat like one of these, which ended up saving her life.

The lighter weight of the Jimmy (4,103 lbs) vs. that of the FedEx van (up to 9,500 lbs fully loaded if an E-series cargo van) placed it at a significant disadvantage in the collision, as the van weighed up to 2.3x more, placing the Jimmy occupants at up to 2.9x the force the Jimmy would have experienced in an IIHS side impact test with a 3300-lb SUV-like barrier. The high speeds of the collision, most likely at at least 55 mph, also meant the occupants of the Jimmy faced at least 3.1x the forces in the side impact test due to speed alone. Of course, the Jimmy was never tested for side impacts. However, given its age and lack of side airbags, it would almost certainly have received a poor rating.

Properly restrain everyone in every vehicle, every time. Especially the children!

If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.