Monthly Archives: November 2020

In Memory of Hearrie Thomas, Jr. (November 18, 2020)

A 2017 Freightliner truck hauling a box trailer was turning north onto Atomic Road from Sheraton Drive near Kimberly-Clark when a southbound 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe traveling on Atomic Road disregarded the traffic light at the intersection and ran into the side of the trailer, Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables said. 

The driver of the Tahoe, identified as 66-year-old Hearrie Thomas Jr. of Hephzibah, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force injuries, Ables said.  Crash involving semitruck kills Hephzibah driver on Atomic Road

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.

Hearrie Thomas, 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 Christopher Mark Akins (November 19, 2020)

The Tennessee Highway Patrol said Christopher Mark Akins, 35, of Gallatin, TN, died after the GMC Sierra he was driving crashed into the back of an International Truck tractor around 8:15 a.m. near the 19-mile marker on I-24 West. The tractor-trailer was stopped due to a build-up of traffic on the interstate. 1 person killed in crash involving tractor trailer on I-24 West

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.

Christopher Mark Akins, 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.)

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

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

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 Quentin Smith (November 16, 2020)

New York State Police say the driver who died has been identified as Quentin Smith, 23, of Albany. He was the only one in the car at the time of the crash.

A preliminary police investigation showed that the tractor trailer, driven by Dragan Milanovic, 28, of Texas, was traveling north on I-787 in stop and go traffic when Smith, traveling the same direction, crashed into the back of the truck. Police investigate fatal car vs. tractor trailer crash in Menands

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.

Quentin Smith, 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 Suzanne Evans (November 14, 2020)

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.

Suzanne Evans, 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 Todd Allen Glessner (November 15, 2020)

It was reported that a 2018 Honda Civic driven by 58-year-old Todd Allen Glessner of Warner Robins collided with a tire that became unattached from the rear of a RV driven by 66-year-old Kathryn Barney of Michigan. 

Glessner’s vehicle became inoperable and was stopped in the middle of the interstate. 

A Fed-X tractor trailer, driven by 26-year-old Jonathan Smith of Florida, was also traveling southbound when he ran into the back of Glessner’s disabled vehicle.

Glessner was pronounced deceased on scene. 1 killed in tractor trailer accident in Macon

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.

Todd Allen Glessner, 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 James Albert Lewis (November 12, 2020)

The investigation revealed that James Albert Lewis, 51, of Wilmington, was driving his Toyota Highlander south on NC 133. Lewis reportedly drove left of center and hit a box truck driving north. The box truck was being driven by 26-year-old Corey Michalk, of Leland. Man dies in crash involving box truck on River Road in Brunswick County

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.

James Albert Lewis, 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 Kaitlyn Wilson (November 7, 2020)

. . . an “international rollback style wrecker” was driving southbound, along with a 2019 Hyundai, when the wrecker slowed down to make a U-turn, and the driver of the Hyundai struck the back of the wrecker.

The driver of the wrecker was not injured.

The driver of the car died at the scene.

The coroner identified the victim as Kaitlyn Wilson, 23, of Weaverville, North Carolina. One person dead after crash in Travelers Rest, coroner says

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.

Kaitlyn Wilson, 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 Adela Garcia, Francisco Cipriano, & Juan Perez Jijon (October 31, 2020)

Two students at Dublin Coffman High School and the mother of one of them were killed Saturday when the vehicle she was driving slammed into a concrete mixer truck on State Route 315 in Liberty Township.

Juan Perez Jijon, 15, and Francisco Cipriano, 14, were killed along with Cipriano’s mother, Adela J. Garcia, 34.

Garcia was driving a 2006 Ford Focus on northbound 315 about 1:30 p.m. when, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, she drove off the right side of the roadway, crossed the center line and struck the concrete mixer truck head on. Three killed, including two Dublin Coffman High School students, 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 — front, side, & rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Adela Garcia, Francisco Cipriano, & Juan Perez Jijon,
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 Amber Dean (October 31, 2020)

Illinois State Police say 35-year-old Amber Dean was heading east on IL 164, just west of Monmouth at 8:28 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. That’s when she crossed the centerline and hit a semi-truck head-on. She was pronounced dead . . . Galesburg woman dies after head-on crash with semi-truck

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

Amber Dean, 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 Kenneth Harris (November 1, 2020)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has identified Kenneth Harris, 65, as the victim.

According to MSHP, Harris was driving a car westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-44, then struck a tractor-trailer head-on.  UPDATE: Marshfield man dies in crash on I-44 near Lebanon

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

Kenneth Harris, 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.