Monthly Archives: March 2024

In Memory of Christina Musil (March 28, 2024)

Troopers were called to the scene on Route 23, just south of Perry Road, around 10:40 p.m. According to Illinois State Police, a preliminary investigation showed Deputy Christina Musil, 35, was sitting in her squad car on the right shoulder, when she was hit.

Police said it still is not clear why the driver of a Kenworth truck went off the roadway and rear-ended the deputy’s squad car. Musil was rushed to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries, where she later died. DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputy dies after rear-ended by 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 —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Christina Musil, Precious One Gone Too Soon

AMERICA’S DANGEROUS TRUCKS (PBS/Frontline Underride Documentary)

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.)

How You Can Help

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

Please sign this petitionSecretary Pete, It’s Past Time To End Death By Underride!

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 could potentially 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.

We are asking that people send us crash reports for collisions with trucks which they suspect involved underride. Send them to marianne@annaleahmary.com. We will submit these as complaints to USDOT. Read more here: Launching a Campaign To Flood NHTSA With Underride Complaint Reports.

In Memory of Derek Seeger (March 26, 2024)

Police said a tractor-trailer was stopped at a red light close to 2 p.m. on State Route 60 when a 2006 Pontiac driven by 42-year-old Derek N. Seeger failed to stop and struck the rear end of the vehicle. Seeger was pronounced deceased at the scene. Dunkirk man killed in 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 —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Derek N. Seeger, Precious One Gone Too Soon

Retrofit Solutions for Rear Impact Guards to Prevent Deadly Underride

RIG Retrofit

AMERICA’S DANGEROUS TRUCKS (PBS/Frontline Underride Documentary)

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.)

How You Can Help

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

Please sign this petitionSecretary Pete, It’s Past Time To End Death By Underride!

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 could potentially 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.

We are asking that people send us crash reports for collisions with trucks which they suspect involved underride. Send them to marianne@annaleahmary.com. We will submit these as complaints to USDOT. Read more here: Launching a Campaign To Flood NHTSA With Underride Complaint Reports.

In Memory of Miguel Jacinto (March 18, 2024)

Miguel Jacinto was driving his gray 2013 Volkswagen Jetta north on Clark Road just after 2:30 a.m.

According to authorities, Jacinto was speeding and didn’t stop at a red light when the Volkswagen slammed into the passenger side of a refrigerated trailer being pulled by a Freightliner semi-tractor. PCSO says the Freightliner being driven by a Tifton, Georgia man was headed east on New Tampa Highway at the time of the crash.

Investigators say the front of the Volkswagen became wedged under the trailer, in front of the rear axles. Lakeland man dies after car becomes wedged under semi-truck during crash: PCSO

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.

Miguel Jacinto, Precious One Gone Too Soon

AMERICA’S DANGEROUS TRUCKS (PBS/Frontline Underride Documentary)

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.)

How You Can Help

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

Please sign this petitionSecretary Pete, It’s Past Time To End Death By Underride!

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 could potentially 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.

We are asking that people send us crash reports for collisions with trucks which they suspect involved underride. Send them to marianne@annaleahmary.com. We will submit these as complaints to USDOT. Read more here: Launching a Campaign To Flood NHTSA With Underride Complaint Reports.

In Memory of Jayden Matthew Smith (March 18, 2024)

A preliminary investigation found that Jayden Matthew Smith of Prineville was driving a Volkswagen Beetle heading north when he crossed into the southbound lanes for unknown reasons.

Smith’s car struck a Volvo commercial motor vehicle and trailer driven by a Tacoma man head-on, OSP said. The crash caused both vehicles to catch fire and become engulfed. Prineville man killed in fiery head-on collision with semi-truck on Highway 97 in Sherman 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 —frontside, and rear — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Jayden Matthew Smith, Precious One Gone Too Soon

Major truck manufacturers have Front Underride Protection designs which can work on American trucks.

AMERICA’S DANGEROUS TRUCKS (PBS/Frontline Underride Documentary)

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.)

How You Can Help

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

Please sign this petitionSecretary Pete, It’s Past Time To End Death By Underride!

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 could potentially 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.

We are asking that people send us crash reports for collisions with trucks which they suspect involved underride. Send them to marianne@annaleahmary.com. We will submit these as complaints to USDOT. Read more here: Launching a Campaign To Flood NHTSA With Underride Complaint Reports.

Advisory Committee on Underride Protection, February 8, 2024 Meeting Record

The NHTSA Advisory Committee on Underride Protection held its third meeting on February 8, 2024, via Zoom. The main agenda item was rear underride. Presentations and discussions from the meeting can be viewed by using the YouTube video links below.

Meeting Segment
ACUP Welcome & Call to Order
Rulemaking Process – Lina Vallivullah (NHTSA)
A History of Trailer Rear Impact Guards from Utility’s Perspective; Jeff Bennett (Utility Trailers)
Truck Rear Underride; Matt Brumbelow (IIHS) 
Hydro Concept Rear Impact Guard (RIG); Malcolm Deighton (Hydro Aluminum Extrusions) 
Crash Avoidance Technology; Wolfgang Hahn (ZF CV Systems North America) 
Rear Underride Guard Report Recommendations & References; Lee Jackson & Jennifer Tierney (Truck Safety Coalition) 
A Historical Overview of Rear Underride Research, Recommendations, & Rulemaking; Marianne Karth (AnnaLeah & Mary for Truck Safety)
Rear Underride Prevention – Creating Crash Compatibility: Rear Guard Standards; Rear Guard Weight; Rear Guard Retrofit; Aaron Kiefer (Collision Safety Consulting) 
ACUP Member Discussion of Past & Present Motions – NHTSA Response to Information Requests, Assessment, & Recommendations, as well as ACUP communications

Truck Impact Guards = Underride Protection

So, you ask, what are Truck Impact Guards? To borrow from NHTSA terminology, Rear Impact Guards are devices attached to Commercial Motor Vehicles in order to GUARD against deadly underride and intrusion into the occupant survival space of a passenger vehicle when there is a collision or IMPACT [an impinging or striking especially of one body against another, Merriam Webster] at the REAR of a large truck.

The difference a well-designed rear impact guard can make

Although NHTSA does not yet require them, a Side Impact Guard is, likewise, a device attached to a large truck to GUARD against deadly underride and intrusion into the occupant survival space of a passenger vehicle when there is a collision or IMPACT at the SIDE of a large truck.

Underride Crash Tests – Without & With Side Impact Guards

Thus, it stands to reason, even though NHTSA apparently has no plans at present to require this life-saving device, a Front Impact Guard is a device attached to a large truck to GUARD against deadly underride and intrusion into the occupant survival space of a passenger vehicle when there is a collision or IMPACT at the FRONT of a large truck.

Volvo Trucks Safety – Front Impact Guard crash test

Truck Impact Guards do not prevent crashes. But, they do compensate for the lack of crash compatibility, which exists due to the geometric mismatch between the “bumpers” of two colliding vehicles that allows one to slide UNDER the other. Effective impact guards ensure that the passenger vehicle’s crashworthiness features — air bags, crumple zones, bumpers, seat belt tensioners — operate as intended to preserve the occupant survival space. This improved crash compatibility can, therefore, serve to make truck crashes more survivable.

These engineer-designed devices can also GUARD Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) — pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists — reducing the likelihood of catastrophic injuries during collisions with large trucks.

What is Front Underride Protection? (Find out on April 17)

What is Front Underride Protection? (Find out on April 17)

If you’d like to know more about front underride protection, join a Zoom presentation/discussion on April 17, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. (EST). I know it’s going to be early, but we’ll be hearing from FUP experts located in the UK and Sweden. To receive a Zoom link, send your request to: marianne@annaleahmary.com.

Hear a presentation from international experts on front underride or override protection:
Iain Knight, Director, Apollo Vehicle Safety, UK
Rikard Fredriksson, Senior Advisor, Swedish Transport Administration
Robert Thomson, Professor of Vehicle Safety at Chalmers University of Technology

Join in a discussion, with opportunity to ask questions, about how the UNECE Front Underrun Protection Standard from 1993 and recently published FUP research could save lives on American roads.

If you’re not able to attend, I will be recording it and will convert it to a YouTube video.

What is Front Underride Protection – Save the Date pdf

Posts on Front Underride Protection

Truck Impact Guards = Underride Protection!

In Memory of Alexa Hoffman (March 8, 2024)

The report said vehicles were stopped in the southbound right lane due to a previous crash, and a tractor-trailer was part of that traffic. A pickup truck was traveling in the right lane when it “failed to slow and stop for the traffic ahead,” the report states.

The THP said the pickup truck struck the tractor-trailer in the rear, and both vehicles came to an uncontrolled rest in the right lane.

The driver of the pickup truck, Alexa Hoffman, 37, of North Carolina, was killed as a result of the crash, the report said. She was wearing a seat belt. A passenger in the pickup truck, a man also from North Carolina, was injured, the THP said. He was also wearing a seat belt. THP: 1 dead after rear-ending stopped traffic on I-81 in Blountville

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.

Alexa Hoffman, Precious One Gone Too Soon

Retrofit Solutions for Rear Impact Guards to Prevent Deadly Underride

RIG Retrofit

AMERICA’S DANGEROUS TRUCKS (PBS/Frontline Underride Documentary)

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.)

How You Can Help

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

Please sign this petitionSecretary Pete, It’s Past Time To End Death By Underride!

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 could potentially 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.

We are asking that people send us crash reports for collisions with trucks which they suspect involved underride. Send them to marianne@annaleahmary.com. We will submit these as complaints to USDOT. Read more here: Launching a Campaign To Flood NHTSA With Underride Complaint Reports.

In Memory of Kaia Hodge & Jada Cousins (March 8, 2024)

Two students were killed and another person hurt in a crash involving a car and tractor-trailer in south Charlotte on Friday morning. . .

The students were identified as Kaia Hodge and Jada Cousins, both of whom were seniors attending South Mecklenburg High School. The crash took place about five miles from the school. Officials: 2 students killed in crash involving tractor-trailer in south Charlotte

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.

Kaia Hodge & Jada Cousins, Precious Ones Gone Too Soon

Major truck manufacturers have Front Underride Protection designs which can work on American trucks.

AMERICA’S DANGEROUS TRUCKS (PBS/Frontline Underride Documentary)

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.)

How You Can Help

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

Please sign this petitionSecretary Pete, It’s Past Time To End Death By Underride!

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 could potentially 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.

We are asking that people send us crash reports for collisions with trucks which they suspect involved underride. Send them to marianne@annaleahmary.com. We will submit these as complaints to USDOT. Read more here: Launching a Campaign To Flood NHTSA With Underride Complaint Reports.

In Memory of Kyle Jenkins (March 5, 2024)

State troopers said a Ford F150 was driving south on Highway 101 when it crossed over the center line and collided with a tractor-trailer.

The driver of the pickup truck was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office identified the driver as 37-year-old Kyle David Jenkins, of Simpsonville. Driver killed in crash with tractor-trailer in Spartanburg Co.

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.

Kyle Jenkins, Precious One Gone Too Soon

Major truck manufacturers have Front Underride Protection designs which can work on American trucks.

AMERICA’S DANGEROUS TRUCKS (PBS/Frontline Underride Documentary)

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.)

How You Can Help

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

Please sign this petitionSecretary Pete, It’s Past Time To End Death By Underride!

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 could potentially 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.

We are asking that people send us crash reports for collisions with trucks which they suspect involved underride. Send them to marianne@annaleahmary.com. We will submit these as complaints to USDOT. Read more here: Launching a Campaign To Flood NHTSA With Underride Complaint Reports.