I hate people who speed on our interstates weaving in and out of traffic but I would never wish this on them: 'Horrific' crash kills 1, shuts Katy Freeway By PEGGY O'HARE Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle The inbound lanes of the Katy Freeway near downtown were shut down for at least two hours today after a young woman was killed and her boyfriend was hurt in what police called a "horrific" crash. The couple's car, which witnesses estimated was traveling 90 mph, slammed into the freeway's center wall before spinning into a concrete pillar, which cut the vehicle in half, police said. The front portion of the car then became airborne, with the victims still inside, before crashing into an 18-wheeler, said Sgt. C.J. Klausner of the Houston Police Department's Truck Enforcement Division. The 20-year-old woman driving the car died at the scene. Her boyfriend, in his mid-20s, was in stable condition at Memorial Hermann Hospital, police said. Their names were not released. "Horrific crash, unfortunate outcome, senseless death here on the streets of Houston," Klausner said while standing near the wreckage. Preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the 18-wheeler was not at fault, but he will face blood and urine tests, in keeping with federal regulations, Klausner said. The accident, which happened on the Katy Freeway near Shepherd, shut down all eastbound lanes for several hours. At 2 p.m., police were just starting to open a single lane of traffic to let cars move slowly through. The victims were in a Pontiac Grand Am when they lost control for reasons police could not immediately specify. The car was decimated by the first pillar it struck. "That pillar -- that was the death hit," Klausner said. The front portion of the severed car was 5 feet off the ground when it slammed into the driver's side of the 18-wheeler, which was hauling sailboat accessories and parts, police said. The tremendous impact ejected the Pontiac's seats. "Speed was an incredible factor here. I would say it was the primary factor," Klausner said. No paraphernalia was found inside the young couple's Pontiac Grand Am to indicate drugs or alcohol were involved, he said.
Wow. Thats insane. I live right near there and people average 75-80mph on the freeway there, so 90 doesnt seem that excessive.
Given this... <I>The couple's car, which witnesses estimated was traveling 90 mph, slammed into the freeway's center wall before spinning into a concrete pillar, which cut the vehicle in half, police said. The front portion of the car then became airborne, with the victims still inside, before crashing into an 18-wheeler, said Sgt. C.J. Klausner of the Houston Police Department's Truck Enforcement Division. </I> Do they really need a "preliminary investigation"? <I>Preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the 18-wheeler was not at fault, but he will face blood and urine tests, in keeping with federal regulations, Klausner said.</I> From the description, the only thing the 18-wheeler did wrong is get slammed into by an airborne car?
True...but I honestly don't drive recklessly. I rarely drive above 80, and, when I do, it's on an open highway(Plenty of that in east Texas). I usually drive 5 miles below the speed limit when it is raining, and I try to keep my eyes glued to the road at all times.
TSAP or whatever the federal driving group is called requires any type of accidents to be investigated, regardless at fault. its a bummer ... if he comes up positive, he could be charged.
Thats one of the worst Ive seen (ive seen worst though). And thats saying something seeing as how stuff like that is part of my job. Poor girl.
I've had 2 serious accidents already. I'm addicted to speed. Only time I can control myself is when my girl is with me or on the phone with me (headset). Same goes for my family when they're with me, but they rarely are with me so it's not a big deal. I drive AT the limit EVERYWHERE (we have radars all over the place in Dubai), I know all the exact limits, all the exact locations, and all the procedures (which radar boxes are empty or not). I don't know what it is, I just can't let go of it. At first, I thought it was just the thrill of learning how to drive, but it just never stopped. I still love speeding, it's a great great feeling. Even though I know that most bad drivers think this, I believe that if everyone drove like me, there would be no accidents. It's the worst mentality in the world to have, and I absolutely know that I'm wrong everywhere, but I just can't bring myself to slow down. Hopefully me and my car won't end up in a thread on the BBS Hangout anytime soon.
I used to be like this. I love speeding as well, but fortunately (or unfortunately, whichever way you want to look at it) tickets and increased insurance have broken me.
People who drive 90 mph on an interstate like this make me sick. To me, it shows that they do not value their life as much as they should because they are willingly increasing their odds greatly of being in an accident and/or being seriously injured or dead. Driving this fast always involve weaving in and out of other traffic increasing those cars' odds of becoming unwillingly involved in a tragic crash. It's sad that people died but they were practically knocking down death's door. I hope somebody learns from this and it prevents a similar display of excess speed and twisted metal. I wonder if the passenger was a willing participant or scared sh*tless.
I couldn't agree more. If people like this need a rush, well maybe they should go bungee jumping or sky diving. I know they dont care about their own lives, but there are other people on the roads too. I used to drive like a madman when I was in high school. Weaving in and out of lanes, drving 90-100 mph, running red lights, etc. But a close one with an 18-wheeler scared the hell out of me and I've tamed down since.
People who drive extremely fast think they are in control when all it takes is one little thing to happen to start a horrific chain of events. There is so much trash and junk on our roads that even driving the speed limit isn't always safe.
