Tag Archives: headon

Chelsey Northrup, 21, in Freedom Township, MI, Killed in Car vs. Pickup Crash

July 3, 2014 Mike

Who:
Chelsea Northrup, 21, of Saline, was killed at around 9:56 PM Sunday night on 5/4/14 in Freedom Township, MI, on Parker Rd south of Scio Church Rd. She drove a southbound gray 2007 Ford Fusion, and was hit by Garrett Roe, 36, who was northbound and crossed the center line in his silver 2013 Ford F-150. He was drunk and using his cell phone, and had non-life threatening injuries. Chelsey died at the scene.

How:
Per police reports, Roe was northbound and drunk when his cell phone rang. He claimed to have reached for his phone, removed his eyes from the road, crossed the center line, and struck the other vehicle. Police additionally suspected alcohol was related to the crash.

Why:
This is another sad case of drunk driving mixed with distracted driving from cell phone use. One third of fatal crashes in the US continue to be directly attributable to alcohol use, and this claimed Chelsey’s life that night.

Investigating the physics of the crash, it is sadly not surprising that Northrup died while the F-150 occupant lived, as her vehicle was massively outweighed by the Ford. The 2007 Fusion weighs 3384 lbs and comes with a “good” IIHS frontal score. It was impacted by a 2013 F-150, that weighs 5199 lbs, or 154% of the Fusion’s weight.

As a result, the Fusion’s driver automatically faced 54% more force in the collision than she would have if she’d collided with another Fusion, placing her at a severe disadvantage in the collision that would not have existed had we placed greater restrictions on manufacturers’ abilities to create and citizens’ abilities to drive needlessly heavy vehicles on our roads.

Given the likely speeds of the collision (~55 mph), the collision likely imparted at least 713KJ of energy into the Fusion. The Fusion frontal impact test simulates 245KJ of energy (a Fusion impacting another at 40 mph). In other words, the Fusion driver faced 291% of the force she’d have experienced in the type of crash her car was rated for. Given the speed of the collision, particularly combined with the “acceptable” head/neck subscore of the Fusion, her odds of survival were, sadly, quite small.

The F-150’s frontal test simulates 377KJ of energy (a Ford impacting another at 40 mph), indicating that its occupants would have faced 123% of the forces the vehicle was rated to safely withstand, given that the Fusion imparted 464KJ of energy into the F-150. This was clearly a survivable collision for the Ford’s occupants, which was reflected in the driver’s survival and lack of severe injuries.

This was a completely preventable tragedy. Chelsea was doing nothing wrong and simply was unfortunate enough to be in the path of someone who did not take the grand responsibility of driving seriously, and now an innocent life has been taken senselessly.

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Four Killed, Child Injured in Car vs. SUV Crash

June 27, 2014 Mike

Who:
Judge Terri Johnson, 40, drove a 2009-era Volkswagen Passat the wrong way on Highway 287 close to Decatur, TX, around 6 PM Saturday evening, 4/26/14, and killed herself and Juan Jose Rios, 32; Sherry Ann Rios, 50; and Amy Dee Culwell, 35; who were driving in a 2009-era Chevrolet Trailblazer. A 4 year old girl in the Trailblazer was severely injured in the collision, but is expected to survive. Unfortunately, her parents did not.

How:
Slightly before 6PM, Johnson, who was traveling the wrong way (southbound) in the northbound SH 287 lane, drove head on into a northbound Trailblazer. The three adults in the Trailblazer and Johnson in the Passat were killed on impact, while the 4 year old, who was not restrained in a child seat, was ejected from the vehicle. Per the police, no evidence of alcohol has as yet been found. However, witnesses who’d called 911 reported seeing her driving erratically from one side of the road to the next in the minutes preceding the crash. A number of witnesses arrived at the scene immediately after the crash and attempted to offer aid to both vehicle’s occupants, including a number of truckers who put out the Trailblazer fire with extinguishers.

Why:
It is currently unknown why Johnson was driving the wrong way down a highway in broad daylight, although given the near 100% frequency with which alcohol or drugs are a factor in wrong way fatal collisions, I have to wonder if she was driving under the influence of said substances. What is absolutely certain is that the collision was the result of her actions, and that four individuals are dead and a child critically injured as a result.

Investigating the physics of the crash, the sheer number of fatalities is surprising and saddening. The 2009 Passat weighs 3435 lbs and comes with a “good” IIHS frontal score. It was impacted by a 2009 Trailblazer that weighs 4641 lbs, or 135% of the Passat’s weight and was rated only “acceptable” in its frontal score. As a result, the Passat driver automatically faced 35% more force in the collision than she would have if she’d collided with another Passat, placing her at a significant disadvantage in the collision. The Trailblazer occupants, meanwhile, experienced 26% lower forces due to the weight advantage. However, the “acceptable” score worked against them, significantly reducing the protection the vehicle should have afforded them.

Given the likely speeds of the collision (~65 mph, per witness reports), the collision likely imparted at least 889KJ of energy into the Passat. The Passat frontal impact test simulates 249KJ of energy (a Passat impacting another at 40 mph). In other words, the Passat driver faced 357% 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 next to zero.

The Trailblazer frontal test simulated 337KJ of energy (a Trailblazer impacting another at 40 mph), indicating that its occupants would have faced 195% of the forces the vehicle was rated to safely withstand, given that the Passat imparted 658KJ of energy into the Trailblazer.

This should have been a survivable collision for the Trailblazer’s occupants, but none of the adults did. Witness reports indicated that the vehicle may have been thrown several feet into the air by the force of the impact, which could have led to the deaths of the adults. Somehow, however, the child survived, despite not being restrained in a rear-facing seat and being partially ejected from the vehicle. A 4-year-old child should ideally be in a rear-facing seat, and if not, should definitely be in a forward-facing harnessed seat.

This was a completely preventable tragedy, and a potentially corruptly investigated one. The results of Johnson’s toxicology test stated she was not under the influence of any substances.

I don’t believe those results.

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Courtney Ann Sanford, 32, in High Point, NC, Dies in Car vs. Dump Truck Crash

June 24, 2014 Mike

Who:
Courtney Ann Sanford, 32, from Clemmons, died in High Point, NC, close to Baker Road at around 8:30 AM on Thursday, 4/24/14, in her 2005 Toyota Corolla. She collided with a metal recycling truck. She died instantly. The truck driver, John Wallace Thompson, 73, was unhurt.

How:
Sanford was northbound on Bus. 85 when she crossed the median and crashed into a southbound metal recycling truck. Per police reports, Sanford was traveling at 45 mph at the time of impact. After the collision, her car caught fire, although the flames were put out quickly. The truck left the road and impacted a tree. Per police reports, Sanford’s cell phone showed she had made a final Facebook post to friends at 8:33 AM, one minute prior to the report of the accident. A review of Sanders’ cell phone also indicated that she had been taking and posting pictures, or selfies, of herself while driving. Per investigators, Sanford’s last post was: “The happy song makes me HAPPY,” Her friends apparently notified investigators later that day due to the coincidence of the time stamp of the Facebook post and the time of the accident. Sanford was also reportedly wearing a seat belt, but it was somehow fastened improperly.

Why:
This collision was completely preventable. The culprit was distracted driving. Specifically, Sanders was taking pictures of herself, texting, and posting to Facebook in the minutes preceding and leading to the moment of impact. Texting is implicated in a number of fatal crashes per year, and is considered to impair driving abilities as much as alcoholic consumption.

Given the physics of the crash, the results are sadly unsurprising. The 2005 Corolla weighed ~2582 lbs and came with a good frontal score. It was impacted by what appears to be a standard 10-wheel dump truck, which can weigh at least 24,000 lbs. That’s at least 930% of the weight the Corolla would have experienced in an IIHS front impact test.

Given the likely speeds of the collision (~45 mph), the collision likely imparted at least 2.2MJ of energy into the Corolla. The standard front impact test for the Corolla would simulate 187KJ of energy (a Corolla impacting its twin at 40 mph). In other words, she faced 1176% of the force she’d have experienced in the types of crashes Corollas are front rated for. Given these forces, her odds of survival were, sadly, virtually non-existent.

The reconstruction of this crash is sadly summarized concisely by the police spokesperson’s statements here:

‘In a matter of seconds, a life was over just so she could notify some friends that she was happy.’

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Reagan Hartley, 22, in Greensboro, NC, Killed in Car vs. SUV Crash

June 12, 2014 Mike

Who:

Reagan Lee Hartley, 22, from Willow Spring, was killed around 10:30 PM on 4/23/14 between Patterson St. and Wendover Avenue on I-40 in Greensboro, NC. Hartley drove a 1997-era silver Volvo C70 and was hit by Ronnie Fichera, 46, from South Boston, VA, who drove a 1997-era green Ford Expedition. Hartley was a senior at Western Carolina University, where she was studying early elementary education, and was due to graduate in May after completing her student teaching.

How:

Hartley was eastbound on I-40 heading to her parents.’ She was impacted by Fichera, who was headed westbound in the eastbound lanes at an estimated 80-90 mph in an effort to evade police. He was reportedly impaired and carrying an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. Hartley died en route to the hospital, while Fichera was listed in critical condition.

Why:

This is another tragic case involving drunk driving, which is implicated in 1 of every 3 fatal traffic incidents in the US. Fichera, per reports, first began acting strangely around 10:05 at a Subway, where he displayed aggressive and erratic behavior. He left, was approached by officers, and drove off when asked to leave his vehicle. A pursuit occurred but was called off when Fichera entered I-40 in the wrong lane of traffic. Shortly after, the collision occurred.

Investigating the physics of the crash, it is not surprising that Hartley died while Fichera lived, as her vehicle was massively outweighed by his. The 1997-era C70 weighs ~3200 lbs and we’ll assume it came with a “good” frontal score, being a Volvo. It was impacted by a 1997-era Expedition that weighs ~4826 lbs, or 51% of the C70’s weight. As a result, the C70 driver automatically faced 151% more force in the collision than she would have if she’d collided with another C70, placing her at a severe disadvantage in the collision. Fichera, meanwhile, experienced 33% lower forces due to his weight advantage.

Given the likely speeds of the collision (~85 mph), the collision likely imparted at least 1.58MJ of energy into the C70. The C70 frontal impact test, had one existed, would have simulated 232KJ of energy (a C70 impacting another at 40 mph). In other words, the C70 driver faced 681% of the force she’d have experienced in the type of crash her car would have been rated for. Given the speed of the collision, her odds of survival were, sadly, virtually non-existent.

The Expedition’s frontal test, had one existed, would simulate 350KJ of energy (an Expedition impacting another at 40 mph), indicating that its driver would have faced 300% of the forces his SUV was rated to safely withstand, given that the C70 imparted 1.05MJ of energy into the Expedition. While these were still tremendous forces, his odds of survival were still much better than those of the C70’s driver, and this was reflected in his survival in critical condition.

This was ultimately a wholly preventable tragedy, as are so many of these stories.

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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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