Monthly Archives: December 2017

In Memory of AnnaLeah & Mary Karth

Underride Crash Map,

On May 4, 2013, four members of the Karth family (a mother and the 3 youngest of her 9 children) drove from North Carolina to Texas to celebrate four family college graduations and the wedding of one of those siblings. While in Georgia, their car – in the right lane – was hit by a truck in the left lane that did not stop in time for slowed traffic and was charged with failure to maintain lane. The impact spun their car around and the truck hit their car a second time, forcing it backward and underneath a second truck’s trailer. That truck then also ran into the side of the second truck. 

All four of the people were trapped and needed to be extricated with the Jaws of Life. Marianne and her son were in the front seat and survived the impact with injuries. AnnaLeah and Mary were in the back seat, which went underneath the trailer, and died as a result of catastrophic injuries. https://annaleahmary.com/about/

Underride Accidents and the Woman Dedicated To Their Prevention

Our crash took place on May 4, 2013. We lost AnnaLeah that very day. We lost Mary on May 8, 2013.  In early June 2013, their older sister, Rebekah, set up a facebook page in memory of her sisters. I am so thankful for the opportunity which that has given me to express my grief and share wonderful memories of Mary and AnnaLeah.   https://annaleahmary.com/journey-through-grief/

See more underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and on our Interactive Underride Crash Map. To add more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to this map, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com; use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form.

In Memory of William R. Zink, Jr.

Underride Crash Map,

Two lanes of southbound Interstate 476 were closed around 8:26 a.m. after a man, identified by the Pennsylvania State Police as William R. Zink, 40, of Havertown, collided with another vehicle before spinning wildly into the concrete barrier on the right shoulder.

Zink was pronounced dead at the scene by the Delaware County Medical Examiner.

According to a report submitted by the PSP, Zink was driving southbound on I-476 in a 2016 Volkswagon Jetta at a rate of speed “too fast for conditions.” Upon reaching a vehicle stopped in the center lane of travel, Zink rear-ended the medium duty truck, a 2010 Isuzu NPR, which had two occupants who were not injured.

Zink’s car spun counter-clockwise from the point of impact until coming to a rest on the right shoulder of I-476. CPR on Zink at the scene was attempted but unsuccessful. Upon arrival of EMS personnel, Zink was declared dead at the scene. Man killed in crash on I-476

It was August 22nd 2016, at 8:30 a.m. on a Monday morning.  He was heading into his first day of a new job. Bill Zink’s family was devastated.

See more underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and on our Interactive Underride Crash Map. To add more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to this map, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com; use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form.

 

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of Dannon Jim & Shynoah Jim

Underride Crash Map,

This Christmas will not bring the celebration this family might have been expecting because of a preventable truck underride crash.

They say the big rig was slowing while approaching a red light at the intersection when it was struck from behind by the SUV.

State Police say there were no signs of skid marks or braking before impact.

They say 34-year-old Dannon Jim and 11-year-old Shynoah Jim both were declared dead at the scene of the crash.

Read more here: 2 killed, 2 injured in crash of big rig and SUV in Kirtland (AP) 2 Killed, 2 Injured in Crash of Big Rig and SUV in Kirtland

No matter what the cause of the crash, the outcome could have been different if there had been better underride protection.

See more underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and on our Interactive Underride Crash Map. To add more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to this map, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com; use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of Brandon Pranghofer

Underride Crash Map,

A head-on crash involving a car and a semitrailer truck Thursday morning in northern Washington County proved fatal, authorities said.

The crash happened just before 8 a.m. on Manning Trail N. near 180th Street on the border of May Township and Scandia, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

After impact, much of the front of the car was wedged under the front ­bumper of the truck, while the big rig suffered minor damage.

The victim was identified Friday as Brandon Pranghofer, 30, of Forest Lake. Pranghofer and his fiancée had recently given birth to a daughter. —  August 12, 2016, New dad dies in head-on crash with semi in Washington Co.

See more underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and on our Interactive Underride Crash Map. To add more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to this map, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com; use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of Gabriel Hon

Underride Crash Map,

On December 21, 2017, at approximately 12:51 a.m., the Idaho State Police investigated a two vehicle fatality crash westbound Interstate 84 at milepost 42 in Meridian. Gabriel Hon, 21, of Nampa, was traveling westbound in a 2002 BMW M3. William Lager, 68, of Estacada, OR, was traveling westbound in a 2000 Freightliner towing a single trailer. Hon struck the back of Lager’s trailer then struck the barrier on the median side. Hons was not wearing a seatbelt and succumbed to his injuries on location. Lager was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured. 21-Year-Old Killed after Crashing Into Semitrailer in Meridian

See more underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and on our Interactive Underride Crash Map. To add more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to this map, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com; use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form.

Support improving Underride Protection on trailers: Contact your legislators with this User-Friendly TAKE ACTION online tool.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of Kyle Louis Juliussen

Underride Crash Map,

WOODLAWN, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is investigating a fatal crash that occurred early Monday morning on Hwy 79 (Dover Road) in Montgomery County.

According to a preliminary report from THP, 25-year-old Kyle Juliussen of Oak Grove, Ky. was killed when a tractor trailer that was exiting the Bi-County Landfill pulled out in front of his vehicle. Juliussen’s car hit the tractor trailer and ran underneath it.

The driver of the tractor trailer has been identified as 41-year-old Hollis E. Albea Jr. He was not injured. The THP report said he was charged with due care.

The investigation is ongoing. 25-year-old man killed in crash near Bi-County Landfill

Kyle Louis Juliussen of Oak Grove, Kentucky, passed away on Monday, December 18, 2017 due to a tragic automobile accident. He was 25 years old.
Kyle entered into this life on September 22, 1992 in Johnson City, New York, son of Arne and Joann O’Brien Juliussen. He was a proud US Army veteran and enjoyed his job as a Clerk at the US Post Office. Kyle absolutely loved Star Wars and all things sci-fi, but most of all Kyle loved his family.
Survivors include his wife, Rachel Juliussen, children, Kayden and Valerye, and his siblings, Arne Juliussen, Jr., Stoney Juliussen, and Kierstin Rowe.
Kyle’s remains will be cremated. No services are currently planned. Condolences may be made online at NaveFuneralHomes.com. https://obittree.com/obituary/us/tennessee/clarksville/mcreynolds-nave-larson-funeral-home/kyle-juliussen/3377551/

Photo of Kyle and his family: http://www.wenkwtpr.com/2017/12/19/dover-post-office-clerk-killed-in-accident/

Kyle Juliussen, 25 years young, was tragically killed in a car accident early Monday morning, Dec. 18, 2017, in Tennessee. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and uncle. He was an Army vet having been honorably discharged from Fort Campbell, KY. He left behind two beautiful babies and a wonderful wife. We are raising money for funeral expenses and unexpected costs. His wife and children need to bring Kyle home to his parents and family in Port Crane NY. Your help is much appreciated. Thank you and God bless.   https://www.gofundme.com/4a7pp-funeral-expenses-for-kyle-juliussen

See more underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and on our Interactive Underride Crash Map. To add more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to this map, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com; use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

Sen. Gillibrand questions Chris Spear, CEO of ATA, on truck underride protection.

Truck Safety, , , ,

This morning, Senator Gillibrand took the opportunity at a Senate Environment & Public Works Committee Hearing on to ask Chris Spear, CEO of the American Trucking Associations, some questions about truck underride.

Thank you, Senator Gillibrand, for continuing to move us forward toward an end to preventable underride tragedies.

I met with Chris Spear on March 29, 2017, to discuss our newly drafted underride bill. And I wrote a post in May in response to the kinds of concerns he raised in the hearing today. He asked Senator Gillibrand to encourage NHTSA to speed their evaluation of whether the added weight of side guards would compromise the structural integrity of trailers.

Here is that post: Question for the ATA: Is it necessary to choose EITHER crash avoidance OR occupant protection — not BOTH?

And here is the response to Mr. Spear’s concerns — from the inventor of the AngelWing side guard, Perry Ponder:

AngelWing has undergone extensive standard industry testing and analysis including durability track testing. Designed by a trailer engineer (me), AngelWing works in harmony with existing trailer designs with no effect on the trailer structure or durability. 

Help hasten the installation of effective truck underride protection. Sign & Share our petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underride!

In Memory of Riley Eric Hein

Underride Crash Map,

My son Riley Eric Hein was killed on November 13, 2015 by a semi truck without an underride guard.  He was 16 and driving to High School.  The accident occurred on West Bound I-40 near Carnuel, New Mexico.  Please add Riley’s name to your map.

Eric Hein

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The person killed in a fiery crash that closed I-40 Friday morning is Manzano High School junior Riley Hein, school officials confirmed Monday.

Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to westbound I-40 near the Tijeras exit around 6:30 a.m. for a crash between a car and a semi-trailer. Authorities closed westbound lanes of traffic all morning while they investigated.

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Aaron Williamson said a passenger car and a semi-trailer that were both driving on westbound I-40 collided with one another at a curve, and the passenger car got trapped underneath the semi.

The semi dragged the car for a quarter mile, and when authorities arrived, the truck was on fire. The driver of the passenger car, whom school officials identified as Hein, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Manzano student identified as person killed in I-40 crash

Riley’s dad, Eric Hein, shared these photos and memories of Riley.

The plaque is from Riley’s memorial bench at Mountainside United Methodist Church in Tijeras, New Mexico.  A place of solace where his friends and family can visit.

A family trip to Puerto Penasco, Mexico.  Riley was passionate about fishing and loved the beach. (Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.  –V. Harrison)

From Riley’s personal best Cross Country race in 2015 when he was 16 and a Junior at Manzano High School, Albuquerque.  (Perfect speed isn’t moving fast at all; perfect speed is being there. –Richard Bach, Jonathon Livingston Seagull)
 
Visiting a burrito food truck in July 2015, Eagle Rock, California.  Riley was always a foodie, particularly Mexican. (It’s been a long day without you, my friend; And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again; We’ve come a long way from where we began; Oh, I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again; When I see you again–Wiz Kahlifa)
Riley Hein, Precious One Gone Too Soon
 
Because the bottom of a truck is higher than the bumper of passenger vehicles, when there is a collision the smaller vehicle easily slides under the truck and the first point of impact is the windshield. Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes —front, side, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.
 
See more underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and on our Interactive Underride Crash Map. To add more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to this map, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com; use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of Joshua Brown

Underride Crash Map,

“On May 7 at 3:40 p.m. on U.S. 27 near the BP Station west of Williston, a 45-year-old Ohio man was killed when he drove under the trailer of an 18-wheel semi. The top of Joshua Brown’s 2015 Tesla Model S vehicle was torn off by the force of the collision,” the Levy Journal article reported. The driver who died in the Tesla Autopilot crash narrowly avoided a crash in April

See more underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and on our Interactive Underride Crash Map. To add more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to this map, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com; use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form.

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.

In Memory of Mark Schaas

Underride Crash Map,

NORTH JACKSON, Ohio (WKBN) – A beloved New Castle sports announcer has died after a fiery crash involving five vehicles, including three semi trucks, in North Jackson.

The chain-reaction crash happened on I-76 westbound at mile post 59 — near the Route 45 overpass — around 10:45 a.m. Thursday.

Ohio State Highway Patrol identified the victim as 53-year-old Mark Schaas. He was killed at the scene after his vehicle was forced into a semi truck.

Beloved New Castle sports announcer killed in fiery I-76 crash; Four others were taken to the hospital, three of which had serious injuries, June 29, 2017, WKBN27, Abbie Schrader

See more underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and on our Interactive Underride Crash Map. To add more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to this map, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com; use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form..

Note: In order to raise awareness and preserve the memories of underride victims — precious ones gone too soon — I have been writing memorial posts on what appear to me to be underride crashes. I am not a crash reconstructionist, and I do not have all the facts on these crashes; but underride should be investigated as a potential factor in truck crash injuries and deaths.