A tractor-trailer was traveling west in the right lane and began to slow due to the backlog of traffic. The car traveled from the left lane into the right lane and crashed into the back of the tractor-trailer, the police said.
The driver, identified by the police as Suzanne Evans, 53, of Kempton, died at the scene. Car hits tractor-trailer on I-78 in Bethel; woman killed
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 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.)
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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.
I am Suzanne’s older sister Sarah. We were all devastated by the loss of Suze. I found this while searching her name after a year and a half of mourning her loss. Her daughter graduated from nursing school in May this year (2022) and she would have been so proud. Her family is quietly bearing the load of grief that sudden tragedy bestows. Love you Suze. Your siblings miss you too – me (Sarah), Ivan, Rebekah and Owen. Your memorial plaque is now in place on mom’s burial site in the Bryn Athyn cemetery and you and mom and dad are all together in our hearts. We can remember you together with Mom who was buried two and a half months before you. And dad, who has been gone since 2002. Mom was 81, dad was 64 and you were 53 when you went to meet the Lord. I know you are all together and watching over us. Hosts and hosts of shining angels be all around you. You are remembered with love and affection. The beekeeping community misses you dearly too.
I’m very sorry for your family’s loss and the burden of grief you bear. Cherish your memories of your sister as a precious treasure beyond measure.