Turnpike U-turn crash

[inteller]

so they basically ruled it as both at fault....I bet the insurance companies will have fun with this one.

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

so they basically ruled it as both at fault....I bet the insurance companies will have fun with this one.

No Doubt.  The Whirled cited an OHP spokesperson attributing their 'speeding' claim was due to the area being technically a "construction zone," but the accident photos dont seem to indicate any of the usual construction markings.

[sgrizzle]

I can't imagine it's truely a dual fault situation. If you get rear-ended by a drunk driver, you don't have to pay your own way because your right taillight was out.

[mspivey]

If there can be any levity in this tragic situation it's "failed to yield to an emergency vehicle."

[Breadburner]

quote:Originally posted by mspivey

If there can be any levity in this tragic situation it's "failed to yield to an emergency vehicle."

How exactly do you yield to an emergency vehicle on an interstate......

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Breadburner

quote:Originally posted by mspivey

If there can be any levity in this tragic situation it's "failed to yield to an emergency vehicle."

How exactly do you yield to an emergency vehicle on an interstate......

Same as you do on a city road, pull to the right and stop.

[rwarn17588]

OHP can try to sugarcoat this all they want, but the fact remains that this accident started because of the trooper's stupid action.

[inteller]

but don't you know, law enforcement is NEVER wrong.

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote:Originally posted by Breadburner

quote:Originally posted by mspivey

If there can be any levity in this tragic situation it's "failed to yield to an emergency vehicle."

How exactly do you yield to an emergency vehicle on an interstate......

Same as you do on a city road, pull to the right and stop.

...and if the emergency vehicle has pulled to the right and stopped, the drivers manual says  pull into the inside lane to pass... which is exactly what the truck driver did.  
Couldnt find any procedure outlining what the truck should have legally done afterward when the trooper failed to yield to oncoming traffic and attempted a left turn from the right shoulder/lane...


...but It's some newly-released witness statements reported in the Whirled that really speak volumes as to the integrity of the OHP investigation:

'A former Claremore resident, Bennett said he was in the right lane behind the tractor-trailer when the OHP vehicle passed him on the left and went in front of the truck.

"The next thing I saw was the truck driver applying his brakes and smoke coming off his wheels," said Bennett, who was heading to Joplin to visit antique shops. "The rear end swung to my left, and it tipped over. My thought was, 'Where did the trooper go?' because I couldn't see him."

Traveling to Missouri with a friend, Jones said he was in the right lane about 200 yards behind Osman's rig when the trooper's vehicle overtook him.

"We were just coming down a hill, and by the time we were getting ready to top this other hill, he just passed us like we were sitting," Jones said. "Sirens going, lights, everything . . . he was just hauling butt."'
http://www.tulsaworld.com/NewsStory.asp?ID=061117_Ne_A1_Fourr6296

All this in a supposed "construction zone"?
..and one final technicality to deflect responsibility:

'An inspection of Osman's trailer by the troopers' motor vehicle enforcement unit indicated that the brakes "weren't functioning at 100 percent efficiency."'

[mspivey]

quote:Originally posted by Breadburner

How exactly do you yield to an emergency vehicle on an interstate......
[/quote]

I'm not sure but my point is that the laws of the State of Oklahoma are trumped by the laws of Physics. When you pull your leagally protected and identified patrol car right our in front of a big rig travelling at highway speed, it's a little hard to yeild even if you want to.

I'm as much against poorly maintained big rigs driven by unqualified drivers as anyone. It just looks like the state is looking for a scapegoat. Why can't they just say that this was a fine trooper who made a mistake and he and the truck driver paid for it? Would that be so hard?

[sauerkraut]

I don't think anyone should be allowed to make a U-Turn on any freeway, not even a cop, or emergency vehicle..A wreck will just cause another emergency. it's just as dangerous for a cop as it is for a regular Joe making a illegal freeway  U-Turn. I doubt the cop was on a emergency run, I offten have seen cops bust thru a red light at 2am, they flick on the flashers and cross the intersection then turn off the flashers. I'd say the cop was going after a speeder in this case- just my guess. The result was tragic. That's the reason U-Turns are not allowed on freeways it's too dangerous, it's dangerous for emergency vehicles too.

[Breadburner]

quote:Originally posted by rwarn17588

OHP can try to sugarcoat this all they want, but the fact remains that this accident started because of the trooper's stupid action.

My point exactly....Over-zealous trooper in a vehicle thats really  a poor choice for that type of service....I'm not against law enforcement at all...But they should take full responsibility for what happened....

[si_uk_lon_ok]

quote:Originally posted by sauerkraut

I don't think anyone should be allowed to make a U-Turn on any freeway, not even a cop, or emergency vehicle..A wreck will just cause another emergency. it's just as dangerous for a cop as it is for a regular Joe making a illegal freeway  U-Turn. I doubt the cop was on a emergency run, I offten have seen cops bust thru a red light at 2am, they flick on the flashers and cross the intersection then turn off the flashers. I'd say the cop was going after a speeder in this case- just my guess. The result was tragic. That's the reason U-Turns are not allowed on freeways it's too dangerous, it's dangerous for emergency vehicles too.

I was reading my local transport today. (What fun!) They were advertising a median that could be opened up in about two minutes that would allow U turns. This would allow in a catastrophic emergency, think multiple casualties/ very large fire with both lanes closed for cars to be diverted off the freeway via the other lane or multiple emergency vehicles to gain access if the road ahead was blocked and cars were stuck behind. Maybe it's an alternative worth looking at?

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by mspivey

It just looks like the state is looking for a scapegoat. Why can't they just say that this was a fine trooper who made a mistake and he and the truck driver paid for it? Would that be so hard?

I hate to say it, but The Pope admits to more mistakes than some departments, which seems to be part of a larger pass-the-buck trend.

For instance: Didnt we just last month sign into law a measure that essentially relieves officers of the consequences for any deaths arising from high-speed pursuits?

The new Dragus-Whetsel law is named in part for the wife and daughter of the Oklahoma County Sheriff, who were killed when their car was hit by an Oklahoma Highway Patrolman during a high-speed pursuit.

Fate is an ironic and cruel mistress.

Then some years ago there was a property owner charged with murder because a surveillance helicopter flew into power lines while looking for a suspected marijuana patch.  As outrageous as that sounded at the time, I believe he was eventually convicted.  

As I said earlier, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol brushed off a calling to remind us how dangerous it is to attempt a turnaround on an interstate highway, and that even the most experienced can make mistakes.  Seizing the opportunity for such a public service might have given those tragic deaths some meaning.

[Goodpasture]

quote:Originally posted by patric


Then some years ago there was a property owner charged with murder because a surveillance helicopter flew into power lines while looking for a suspected marijuana patch.  As outrageous as that sounded at the time, I believe he was eventually convicted.  

I recall that case. the property owner (in Bixby if it is the one I recall) had the charges dropped. It was ruled pilot error.