All posts by Marianne

In Memory of Allyson Davis (July 6, 2020)

Underride Crash Map

UPDATE March 13, 2026: Hundreds of people die every year when pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and occupants of passenger vehicles go under trucks. Please consider joining a STOP Underrides National Town Hall via Zoom April 15 | 8 – 9 pm ET |RSVP HERE. 

Your voice at this unique advocacy gathering will let your U.S. Senators and Representative know that you want them to pass the STOP Underrides Act of 2026.

A woman who died in a crash Monday morning has been identified as a local college student.

Deputies said Allyson Davis, 21, of Banner, Kentucky died in the wreck. According to investigators, it happened on Interstate-75 near the 175 mile marker around 9:30 a.m.

According to deputies, Davis was driving northbound on I-75 when she lost control of her car after driving through water. Her vehicle then spun out of control, they said, and ended up lodged under a semi-truck’s trailer. Woman killed in Boone Co. crash identified as NKU musical theatre student

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

Allyson Davis, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and #STOPunderrides. 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.

Petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides

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 Kimberly Cannon (September 9, 2020)

Underride Crash Map

UPDATE March 13, 2026: Hundreds of people die every year when pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and occupants of passenger vehicles go under trucks. Please consider joining a STOP Underrides National Town Hall via Zoom April 15 | 8 – 9 pm ET |RSVP HERE. 

Your voice at this unique advocacy gathering will let your U.S. Senators and Representative know that you want them to pass the STOP Underrides Act of 2026.

Troopers say Kimberly Cannon, 35, of Shreveport was westbound when a tractor-trailer driven by Rickey Darden, 58, of Parkin Cross, Ark. failed to reduce his speed as he approached traffic congestion.

Investigators say the Darden’s 18-wheeler hit Cannon’s SUV causing her vehicle to hit another tractor-trailer and overturn.

Cannon was pronounced dead at the scene. Shreveport woman killed in I-20 near Dixie Inn

https://www.si.com/hockey/news/were-going-to-miss-that-smile-cooper-maroon-enter-game-3-with-heavy-hearts

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

Kimberly Cannon, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and #STOPunderrides. 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.

Petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides

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 Louis Chrisovechotis (September 3, 2020)

Underride Crash Map,

UPDATE March 13, 2026: Hundreds of people die every year when pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and occupants of passenger vehicles go under trucks. Please consider joining a STOP Underrides National Town Hall via Zoom April 15 | 8 – 9 pm ET |RSVP HERE. 

Your voice at this unique advocacy gathering will let your U.S. Senators and Representative know that you want them to pass the STOP Underrides Act of 2026.

A 28-year-old Connecticut man who rear-ended a tractor-trailer on Interstate 395 near Exit 53 on Thursday died on the scene, state police said.

The crash happened shortly before 12:50 p.m., when Louis Chrisovechotis of the Dayville section of Killingly, was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe north behind a rig.

The SUV struck the back of the truck, they said. Chrisovechotis was pronounced dead at the scene. Connecticut man killed in northbound I-395 crash in Thompson

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

Louis Chrisovechotis, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and #STOPunderrides. 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.

Petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides

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 Manhem Vincente-Candelario (September 3, 2020)

Underride Crash Map,

UPDATE March 13, 2026: Hundreds of people die every year when pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and occupants of passenger vehicles go under trucks. Please consider joining a STOP Underrides National Town Hall via Zoom April 15 | 8 – 9 pm ET |RSVP HERE. 

Your voice at this unique advocacy gathering will let your U.S. Senators and Representative know that you want them to pass the STOP Underrides Act of 2026.

Manhem Vincente-Candelario, of Winchester, died from the injuries at the scene of the crash...

Vincente-Candelario was driving a 2004 Acura TL when he entered I-81 in the wrong direction and collided head-on with a 2014 Volvo tractor-trailer traveling southbound. . . Winchester man dies in two-vehicle crash on Interstate 81

Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Manhem Vincente-Candelario, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and #STOPunderrides. 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.

Petition: Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides

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 Julia Patton and Jaylie Gray (September 9, 2020)

Underride Crash Map,

UPDATE March 13, 2026: Hundreds of people die every year when pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and occupants of passenger vehicles go under trucks. Please consider joining a STOP Underrides National Town Hall via Zoom April 15 | 8 – 9 pm ET |RSVP HERE. 

Your voice at this unique advocacy gathering will let your U.S. Senators and Representative know that you want them to pass the STOP Underrides Act of 2026.

Troopers said a 2017 International tractor-trailer was stopped in the northbound travel lane as the driver prepared to make a right turn. That’s when 27-year-old Julia Patton, of Carthage, Texas, slammed her 2017 Jeep SUV into the rear of the 18-wheeler. . .

Patton and her front-seat passenger, identified as 18-year-old Jaylie Gray of Galveston, Texas, were unrestrained and suffered fatal injuries. . .

A third passenger in Patton’s vehicle, who was also unrestrained, sustained serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital. http://www.westcentralsbest.com/news/state/unrestrained-driver-passenger-killed-in-desoto-crash/article_cf7f2c8a-751a-54a8-9cd4-5382816ece1d.html

Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Julia Patton and Jaylie Gray, Precious Ones Gone Too Soon

See more underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and #STOPunderrides. To add 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.

Congress, Act Now To End Deadly Truck Underrides

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 Ana Beatriz Cruz-Bonilla (September 5, 2020)

Underride Crash Map,

UPDATE March 13, 2026: Hundreds of people die every year when pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and occupants of passenger vehicles go under trucks. Please consider joining a STOP Underrides National Town Hall via Zoom April 15 | 8 – 9 pm ET |RSVP HERE. 

Your voice at this unique advocacy gathering will let your U.S. Senators and Representative know that you want them to pass the STOP Underrides Act of 2026.

A 33-year-old Washington, D.C. woman was killed Saturday after her vehicle was hit from behind on Interstate 95 by a tractor-trailer that came upon stopped traffic and lost control, striking the guardrail and then two vehicles, according to Virginia State Police.

The crash occurred at 10:11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, at the 161 mile marker, state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said in a news release.

The tractor-trailer was traveling south when the driver came upon stopped traffic and lost control, ran off the left side of I-95, struck the guardrail and then continued down the shoulder, scraping the guardrail and striking two cars.

. . . the driver of the Hyundai, Ana Beatriz Cruz-Bonilla, 33, of Washington, D.C., and her passenger were transported to Sentara Hospital in Woodbridge.

Cruz-Bonilla succumbed to her injuries. The passenger is being treated for serious injuries. . . https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/updated-33-year-old-d-c-woman-killed-after-tractor-trailer-fails-to-stop-strikes/article_cdf7c7c2-efb5-11ea-85e8-03270ee30f63.html

Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones do not function as intended in underride crashes — leaving passenger vehicle occupants vulnerable to life-threatening injuries.

Ana Beatriz Cruz-Bonilla, Precious One Gone Too Soon

See underride tragedies at Underride Crash Memorials and #STOPunderrides. 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.

Twice Victims: Underride Families Re-traumatized When Elected Officials Fail To Speak Up

Safety Advocacy, Truck Safety, ,

Too often, families of underride victims not only face the trauma of horrific, unexpected, and preventable death by underride but they, also, have to deal with the frustration of failure to convince their U.S. legislators to support change.

Amy Cohen, co-founder of Families for Safe Streets, a coalition of surviving family members that confronts traffic violence through advocacy and support services, said that . . . the families she works with frequently report being re-traumatized when their elected officials fail to speak up. Joe Biden Lost His Wife and Daughter to Our Traffic Violence Epidemic. Could He Be the First President to Do Something to End it?

On August 19, we hosted another Underride Staff Briefing — this time via Zoom. We are providing Congressional Offices with the PowerPoint pdf from that presentation, including comments from engineers with expertise in underride as well as underride families.

Underride Briefing PowerPoint pdf (inc. links to resources & video)

Underride tragedies happen to the constituents of every elected official. They’ve been made fully aware of both the deadly problem and its available engineering solutions. The ball is in your court, Congress. Do your job.

Ignoring Underride Problem Discards Years of Automotive Crashworthiness Efforts

Safety Advocacy, Truck Safety, , ,

Perry Ponder, who first brought the 1969 DOT discussion of side underride protection to my attention in 2016 and has invented the AngelWing side guard, recently submitted another Public Comment to NHTSA. He addresses industry concerns about side guards — providing thorough documentation.

IIHS Side Guard Crash Test, March 20, 2017

An excerpt of Ponder’s 2020 comments: Continuing to allow truck and trailer induced PCI in rear and side underride crashes to occur at otherwise survivable crash speeds (delta-V’s of 45mph and beyond) discards years of crashworthiness efforts and wastes the safety benefits we have come to expect and pay for in our cars.

From an engineering perspective the need for vehicle crash compatibility in the form of adequate heavy truck underride guarding is apparent in order to protect against the hazard of PCI which exposes the vulnerable head and neck region to severe, potentially fatal or crippling injury. This hazard is easily remedied by readily available materials and simple structural analysis. Read more here.

Here is Perry’s 2016 Public Comment in which he asked for NHTSA to extend underride protection to the sides of trucks and mentioned that it was the original intent of the underride rulemaking in 1969. This is what the Federal Highway Administration said at that time,

It is anticipated that the proposed standard will be amended, after technical studies have been completed, to extend the requirement for underride protection to the sides of large vehicles.

Imagine! In 1969.

Here is that 1969 document:

1969 NPRM, Docket No. 1-11; Notice 2
1969 NPRM, Docket No. 1-11; Notice 2 p.2

This was the original intent of NHTSA rulemakers in the 1969 NPRM, Docket No. 1-11; Notice 2. 

Coming of Age Milestones

AnnaLeah and Mary,

Both AnnaLeah and Mary would have reached some milestones in 2020. AnnaLeah would have celebrated having lived a quarter of a century on May 15 — had her life not ended in a truck underride crash on May 4, 2013, at the age of 17.

Mary would be turning 21 on August 6 — had her life not ended on May 8, 2013, due to a truck underride crash at the age of 13.

Their coming of age stories will never be written.

Creating An Accessible Camp & Retreat Center

AnnaLeah and Mary, ,

My favorite place in the world, Woods on the Lake, a 14-acre property on Lake Michigan with 7 cottages, is up for sale. It would be a dream come true for Jerry and me to acquire, and make more accessible, this outdoor space which has provided recreation, rest, and renewal for so many families.

This is where I tell about our dream. . .

Would you like to help us realize this dream? In the event that we are unable to purchase Woods on the Lake, all donations will go to Pioneer County Park, where I camped as a child and which borders the property on the north, for ongoing accessibility projects In Memory of AnnaLeah & Mary .

You can make a donation at our GoFundMe page.

Virtual Tour of Woods on the Lake

Though it may seem questionable to take on such an endeavor during a pandemic, we look forward to a time in the future when many can enjoy this facility and would plan to use these unusual circumstances to update and expand an already wonderful West Michigan resource.

The dune steps are quite a challenge at present!

In 2010, we discovered that Jerry, along with some of our nine children, has a progressive hereditary condition, Charcot Marie Tooth , which makes it harder to do things like climb stairs or walk very far without getting fatigued. So, whereas when the kids were little the steps to the beach weren’t a big deal, we now look for vacation rentals which are more accessible. That’s not always easy to find.

Because of that, Jerry and I have tons of ideas about how we could make this home-away-from-home even better by making it accessible to families and individuals with disabilities — a wheelchair accessible ramp down the dune to the lakeshore, a mat on the beachfront  for wheelchairs , wheelchair swing , wheelchairs  which can go into the water, and so on. We envision a wheelchair-accessible trail through the woods to connect with Pioneer County Park , which borders this amazing property to the north. How about a frisbee  disc golf course along the trail? Or how about a taxi bike ?

This particular vacation spot is full of wonderful memories, and will always hold a special place in our hearts. Our daughters, AnnaLeah & Mary, along with their brothers & sisters, enjoyed building sandcastles and splashing in the waves, roasting marshmallows around a campfire, and taking walks along the shore.

It was to Woods on the Lake that our family came to stay from our home in North Carolina when we had to make the heart-wrenching journey back to Michigan to bury the girls after a truck underride crash on May 4, 2013, took them from us. And that is why we’d also like to build a lodge to host retreats and workshops for families who face the challenges of disabilities or loss. 

Contact us for more information: marianne@annaleahmary.com