Monthly Archives: October 2020

In Memory of Amy Marlene Davis (October 28, 2020)

For an unknown reason, troopers say the driver drove through a stop sign and into the intersection where it hit a tractor-trailer traveling eastbound on SR-30.

The impact happened at the rear axel of the trailer, according to troopers, killing the woman and only occupant of the Odyssey.

UPDATE: Police say the deceased driver of the Honda Odyssey is 38-year-old Amy Marlene Davis of Beaver Dam, Utah. UPDATE: Woman killed after crash in Box Elder County identified

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 — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Amy Marlene Davis, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

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

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

How You Can Help

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 Jorge Acosta-Flores and David D. Aguilar (June 12, 2020)

. . . two teenage boys died after a car crashed into the rear of a semitrailer Friday morning in Carol Stream.

The crash happened about 6:25 a.m. in the westbound lanes of North Avenue just west of Bennet Drive, Carol Stream police said in a statement.

A Carol Stream police officer witnessed the crash, and used a fire extinguisher to put out a fire caused by the impact, police said. . .

The victims were identified as Jorge Acosta-Flores and David D. Aguilar, both 17, according to DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen. They both lived in Carol Stream. https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/6/12/21289082/carol-stream-fatal-crash-north-gary-jorge-acosta-flores-david-aguilar

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 — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Jorge Acosta-Flores & David Aguilar, Precious Ones Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

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

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

How You Can Help

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 Shawn Scruggs (October 25, 2020)

Police said 37-year-old Shawn Scruggs, of Nashville, was killed in the crash.

The investigation revealed the tractor-trailer had stalled on I-65 North near Dickerson Pike. That’s when police said, Scruggs, crashed into the rear of the trailer.

Scruggs died at the scene. Nashville man killed in collision involving tractor-trailer on I-65 North

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 —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Shawn Scruggs, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

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

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

How You Can Help

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.

A fully-guarded trailer hits the road – ready to STOP underride!

Engineering ingenuity and a lot of hard work went into the research, development, and installation of this fully-guarded trailer system. This week, a small carrier in North Carolina became part of our pilot program. We are thankful that they have agreed to provide us feedback on this #SaferTruck as they drive it on the road to carry out their transport business.

What does fully-guarded mean? It means that every part of the trailer — at the rear and both sides — is covered by equipment which has been installed to prevent a car (or pedestrian, biker, or motorcyclist) from going under the trailer in the event of a collision.

This “hybrid” safety system combines devices which have been crash tested to prevent a car from riding under, including an AngelWing metal side guard installed behind the landing gear, a SafetySkirt polyester webbing where the AngelWing ends and extending over the rear axle — fastening to the Rear Impact Guard (RIG) Retrofit attachment, which reinforces and strengthens the existing rear underride guard (otherwise known as a Rear Impact Guard or RIG, ICC Bumper, or Mansfield Bar).

Oh, and did I mention that this system includes a side skirt for fuel savings?

This retrofitted trailer proudly displays the #SaferTruckAward decals:

Underride Crash Victim Memorial Posts

Fully-guarded trailer
View from under the trailer of SafetySkirt attached to Rear Impact Guard Retrofit
RIG Retrofit plus SafetySkirt

AngelWing side guard in action:

In Memory of Nola Rene Simonsen (October 22, 2020)

41-year-old Nola Rene Simonsen was pronounced dead at the scene after she was reportedly involved in a crash involving a semi-tractor trailer. . . Simonsen’s vehicle reportedly struck the trailer when the trailer’s driver attempted to back into a business. . . Woman killed in Rita Ranch crash involving semi-tractor trailer identified

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 — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Nola Rene Simonsen, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

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

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

How You Can Help

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 Leslie & Sophie Rosenberg (October 15, 2018)

According to the Department of Public Safety, a big rig pulling a saltwater tank was turning onto Highway 21 from FM 1362 when a Dodge minivan hit the trailer. Both the driver and passenger in the minivan were pronounced dead on scene.

The driver has been identified as Leslie Rosenberg, 62, and the passenger as Sophie Rosenberg, 19. Both were from Austin. The driver of the big rig was not injured. Two people killed in early morning accident on Highway 21

Texas A&M University is mourning the loss of one of their own. 19 year-old Sophie Rosenberg and her mother, Leslie, were killed in a car crash early Monday morning when they were driving into College Station. Students, community remembering Aggie sophomore killed in car crash

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 — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Leslie & Sophie Rosenberg, Precious Ones Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

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

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

How You Can Help

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.

Their family has also started this petition.

In Memory of Thomas (T.J.) Jackson, Jaden Olson, & Titus IronShield (October 6, 2020)

A 2015 Maserati Ghibli was driven by 21-year-old Jaden Olson of Rapid City, and had two passengers, 55-year-old Titus Ironshield of Rapid City, and 22-year-old Thomas Jackson of Spearfish. All three men were wearing seatbelts in the crash.

A 2016 Freightliner Cascadia semi-truck and trailer was eastbound on Interstate 90 when it was rear-ended by the Maserati. Victims identified in I-90 fatal crash

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 — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Thomas Jackson, Jaden Olson, & Titus Ironshield, Precious Ones Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

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

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

How You Can Help

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 Rahim Perry & Breshaun Fortson (October 9, 2020)

Clarksville police said Rahim Perry, 28, was driving southbound on Peachers Mill Road, when he proceeded through a red light at the intersection and collided with a tanker truck traveling westbound on 101st Airborne Division Parkway.

Perry was killed, along with his 21-year-old passenger, Breshaun Fortson. . . 2 killed in crash involving tanker truck in Clarksville

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 — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Rahim Perry & Breshaun Fortson, Precious Ones Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

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

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

How You Can Help

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 James Marshall, Jr. (October 8, 2020)

A veteran FDNY firefighter was killed after crashing into the back of a tractor trailer on a New Jersey highway, police said.

James J. Marshall Jr. was driving his 2016 Dodge Charger south on Route 9 in Old Bridge around 1:45 a.m. Thursday when he slammed into the back of the truck also heading south near Schulmeister Road. Veteran FDNY firefighter killed in New Jersey crash with tractor trailer

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 — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

James J. Marshall, Jr., Precious One Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

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

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

How You Can Help

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 Justin Cook & Raelyn Cook (October 2, 2020)

Justin Cook, 6, and Raelynn Cook, 5 — were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, about a mile east of Ind. 3’s intersection with Ind. 18.

The children were passengers in an eastbound pickup truck — driven by their father, Robert A. Cook, 37, Montpelier — that reportedly crossed the center line on the state highway and collided with a westbound semi-tractor trailer.

After the collision, the pickup truck caught on fire. Two children killed in Blackford County crash

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 — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Justin Cook & Raelyn Cook, Precious Ones Gone Too Soon

See Underride Crash Memorials posted here and at #STOPunderrides Tweets. To add photos or more information on this story or to add other underride crashes to be remembered, send an email to underridemap@gmail.com. Please use this Interactive Underride Crash Map Crash Location Input Form to provide us with accurate information . (Note: the map is currently not online; but we would keep the information for future updating and to aid in underride advocacy efforts.)

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

Please sign this petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides.

How You Can Help

“Front End, Energy-Absorbing Truck Guards Reduce the Risks for Motorists”, 8/26/89, IIHS Status Report

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.