Iowa Edict - Wrong-Way Collisions on the Interstate Highways

It's Wrong-way Day here in the Internet Highway of life

Steve Lombardi — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:00:38 -0600

We are back at the wrong-way ranch for drivers that mostly drink and drive on the US interstate highways. They are in Tampa, Pittsburg, Apple Valley, Fond du Lac, Medfored, the Bay Area of San Francisco, Toledo, Ventura, White Plains, San Antonio, seattle, Milwaukee, Dallas, Uniondale, Washington State and Selah. I've covered this area for about five years now. The causes are pretty predictable. Do a search on the Lombardi Law Firm site to see causes, how to avoid being in a wrong-way interstate collision and how not to be a wrong-way driver.

About wrong-way drivers

Wrong way drivers present an obvious danger to all motorists on our highways.

The most recent available crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates wrong way drivers are involved in 1.5 percent of all fatal crashes.

Authorities: Wrong-way drunken driver crashes into Hillsborough patrol car ...
Tampabay.com
By Stephanie Wang, Times Staff Writer TAMPA — A drunken driver heading the wrong way on a darkened road without headlights struck a Hillsborough County patrol cruiser early Sunday, pinning the injured deputy inside the car, authorities said.

Wrong-way driver killed in crash Downtown
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Port Matilda resident Audrey Warming, 21, drove her 2004 Volkswagen Jetta the wrong way down the westbound Grant Street exit ramp at about 2 am, as a 19-year-old woman from Pittsburgh drove her 2010 Hyundai Sonata up the ramp from the parkway, ...

Wrong-way driver believed to be disgraced doctor
Victorville Daily Press
APPLE VALLEY • Authorities are still trying to understand why a man was driving the wrong wayon Apple Valley Road when his pickup struck an sport utility vehicle, killing the other driver Sunday. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Apple Valley Major ...

]]>Wrong-way driver charged in Fond du Lac
Fond du Lac Reporter
A 37-year-old Fond du Lac woman accused of driving the wrong way on Highway 41 has been charged with endangering lives. Bridget A. Gehrt made her initial court appearance Friday on one count of second-degree reckless endangerment, a crime that carries ...

Wrong way driver killed on Parkway East
Tribune Review
By Pittsburgh Tribune-Review One person died and four others were injured in a crash involving a cardriving the wrong way on a ramp from the Parkway East, state police said. The driver of thewrong-way car, a 21-year-old woman, was killed.

Wrong-Way Driver had Child in Car
SmithtownRadio.com
Medford, NY (SmithtownRadio.com) – Suffolk County Police today arrested a Farmingville woman fordriving under the influence of drugs after she drove the wrong way on the service road of the Long Island Expressway, Monday.

Wrong-Way Driver at Giants Game Sentenced
NBC Bay Area
By Caitlin Matalone An admitted wrong-way driver will be sentenced Wednesday for plowing into a young baseball fan in San Francisco's SOMA neighborhood. Andrew Vargas, 22, is expected to be sentenced to five years' probation and one year in county jail ...

Wrong-way driver arrested on Highway 41
Fox11online.com
FOND DU LAC - A 35-year-old Fond du Lac woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated after state troopers say she was driving the wrong way on Highway 41 Tuesday afternoon. The State Patrol says it spotted the wrong-way driver just before 3 pm ...

wrong-way driver arrested in fiery Highway 101 crash between Oxnard and Ventura
Ventura County Star
By John Scheibe A Ventura woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, accused of driving the wrong way on Highway 101 between Oxnard and Ventura on Tuesday night and sideswiping one vehicle before crashing her vehicle head-on into ...

Woman charged for driving wrong way
Toledo Blade
A Temperance woman who was allegedly seen driving the wrong way and then turning around on the southbound I-280 entrance ramp in Oregon was arraigned Friday on drunk-driving and reckless operation charges, authorities said. Cheree Herring's cases were ...

Sheriff's Deputy Injured In Crash With Wrong Way Driver « CBS Miami
By cbs4maclauchlan
A sheriff's deputy was hospitalized early Sunday after an alleged drunk driver slammed into his patrol car.

Wrong way driver killed on Parkway East - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
One person died and four others were injured in a crash involving a car driving the wrong way on a ramp from the Parkway East, state police said.

Wrong-way driver arrested in fiery Highway 101 crash between ...
A Ventura woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, accused of driving thewrong way on Highway 101 between Oxnard and Ventura on ...

Wrong-way driver leads police on chase | News - Home
A driver going the wrong way leads police on a chase in southeast Houston.

Trooper, driver hurt in wrong-way crash on I-95 Northbound | WTNH ...
I-95 northbound is shut down following a motor vehicle accident.

Wrong-Way Driver Hits State Police Cars On I-95 - Courant.com
Northbound I-95 in Bridgeport was closed near exit 27 Thursday night after a crash involving awrong-way driver.

Drunken wrong-way NY driver gets 3 years in death
Wall Street Journal
AP WHITE PLAINS, NY — A New York woman who drunkenly drove the wrong way for six miles on Interstate 95 before killing a man in a crash has been sentenced to at least three years in prison. Tanisha Gomez of Queens had pleaded guilty to vehicular ...

Driver in wrong-way Fall River chase wanted in connection with 8 bank robberies
Wicked Local
About a dozen State Police and at least one FBI agent were on the scene shortly before 5:30 pm, in front of the Central Fire Station on Bedford Street, where Niemic's car had been driving the wrong way at a high speed when it crashed.

Man hit by wrong-way driver faces DWI charge
San Antonio Express
By Ana Ley Police plan to charge a second man with driving while intoxicated in a wrong-waycrash that sent a Bexar County corrections officer to jail over the weekend. Police said the 50-year-old man was heading west on Loop 1604 near Redland Road ...

Driver heads wrong way on I-5 to elude troopers
The Seattle Times
The Washington State Patrol says a driver trying to evade a traffic stop drove the wrong way on Interstate 5 in north Seattle for about three miles before exiting and ditching the car. The Associated Press No comments have been posted to this article.

Wrong-way freeway driver pleads guilty
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
By Bruce Vielmetti of the Journal Sentinel A Greenfield woman arrested for driving the wrong wayon a freeway pleaded guilty Monday to two charges related to the offense. Paula O'Leary, 28, entered the pleas to amended charges of endangering safety ...

Wrong-way driver on Dallas North Tollway collides SUV into semi
WFAA
by MARJORIE OWENS DALLAS - Traffic was temporarily shut down to one lane on both the southbound and northbound Dallas North Tollway after a person police said was driving the wrong way drove her SUV into an 18-wheeler early Friday morning.

Man wanted for attempted murder arrested after driving wrong way on Bedford Street
Wicked Local
“Officer Robert Schoonover saw a gray Volvo driving east on Bedford Street at 12th Street. It is a one-way westbound street at that point,” said Police Lt. Roger LaFleur, a department spokesman. “He stopped the car and conducted a warrants check on the ...

DUI Wrong-Way Driver Crashes, Flips on Dallas North Tollway
FOX 4 News
COM DALLAS - Another wrong-way driver caused a crash on the Dallas North Tollway, but this time, there were no serious injuries. 22-year-old Alexandra Flecker is facing a DWI charge, according to DPS spokesman Lanny Haschel. About 3 am Friday, ...

Woman, 26, sentenced to 3-9 years for I-95 wrong-way crash that killed NJ man
The Journal News | LoHud.com
The 2005 four-door Nissan in which one New Jersey man died and another was badly injured when hit by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 95 in New Rochelle on July 24, 2011. The wrong-way driver, Tanisha Gomez, 26, of Queens, was sentenced Tuesday to ...

Peter Rodriguez Pleads Guilty To Deadly Wrong Way Crash That ...
By mzielinska
Around 6:45 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2011, police said Peter Rodriguez crashed into a livery cab on the Long Island Expressway service road killing 37-year-old George Gibbons.

Nassau County Police: Jose M. Martinez Of Uniondale Was Driving ...
By bkallet
A Uniondale man was arrested in the wee hours of Saturday morning for driving the wrong way on the Hempstead Turnpike, Nassau County's Highway Patrol Bureau said.

Wrong-way freeway driver pleads guilty to three charges - 620 ...
Paula O'Leary, 28, entered the pleas to amended charges of endangering safety with a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct, misdemeanors, and first offense drunken driving, a traffic ticket. Her sentencing is scheduled to May 30.

Woman accused of drunken driving in wrong-way crash on Dallas ...
By Matt Peterson/Editor
No one was seriously hurt in another alcohol-related wrong-way crash on the Dallas North Tollway this morning, authorities said. Police arrested Alexandra Flecker, 22, on suspicion of drunken driving, said Trooper Lonnie Haschel of the ...

Wrong-way driver goes about 3 miles on I-5 | Seattle Times ...
The Associated Press The Washington State Patrol says a driver trying to evade a traffic stop drove the wrong way on Interstate 5 in north Seattle for about three ...

Driver killed, passenger injured in wrong-way crash near Selah ...
SELAH, Wash. -- A wrong-way head-on collision left one young woman dead and another seriously injured Sunday morning, the Washington State Patrol ...

Any change in wrong-way driving accidents?

Steve Lombardi — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:00:57 -0600

Nope; same-ole, same-ole with drunks creating havoc on the interstate highway system. The most interesting story has a dash cam video from the I-39 wrong way driver from Pine Grove on March 15^th, 2012. See this report from Wausau Daily Herald, a Gannett Company with Nick Paulson reporter.

What are the main causes of driving the wrong-way on an interstate? It’s not the sign, that’s for sure. It’s being drunk, period.

Drivers who travel the wrong way on one way highways generally fall into one of eight different categories:

Intoxicated driver
Older drivers who easily get confused
Purposeful acts including attempts to commit suicide and criminals attempting to elude the police
Inattentive drivers who mistake an off-ramp for an on-ramp (cell phones?)
Mental defect or disease
Prescription drug intoxication
Inexperience
GPS providing incorrect, inaccurate or confusing information

Here are today’s news stories about wrong-way interstate highway deaths.

]]>Cops: Wrong-way driver travels 10 miles on Interstate 90, is cited with DUI
Chicago Tribune - A wrong-way driver who traveled almost 10 miles on Interstate 90 early Tuesday morning before his van was finally stopped by a state maintenance truck in Elk Grove Village was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, police said. Portage County, Wisconsin. This is unbelievable footage.

Use this link to watch the dash cam video.

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/videonetwork/1550729703001/Police-dash-cam-I-39-wrong-way-driver

Wrong-way driver stopped on Jane Addams

Chicago Sun-Times - A tollway maintenance truck stopped a drunk driver who drove the wrong way for some eight miles on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) early Tuesday, authorities said. Reports started coming in to Illinois State Police about 4 am about a blue van ...

Wrong way driver arrested on Kennedy Expressway
Chicago Daily Herald - By Lee Filas and Paul Biasco A Chicago man drove the wrong way on Interstate 90 early for about 10 miles while drunk early Tuesday, and was stopped before anyone was injured, according to police. District Chicago State Police contacted tollway district ...

Wrong-way driver on Route 49 causes crash
Utica Observer Dispatch - Two people were taken to the hospital Sunday after a driver headed the wrong way on state Route 49 caused a crash in Marcy, state police said. Judith Shultes, of Berne, was westbound in the eastbound lane at about 6:20 pm when she collided with a ...

Wrong-way driver gets probation
The Salem News - By Julie Manganis Staff writer DANVERS — A New Hampshire woman who was caught driving thewrong way down Route 1 in Danvers last year after mixing alcohol and prescription drugs will spend a year on probation, a judge has ordered.

Task Force Nabs Wrong-way Driver and Repeat Offenders
WBAY - The OWI Task Force started what it called its "power weekend" in the Hobart-Lawrence area Friday night, arresting seven suspected drunken drivers. Among them was a 35-year-old man who authorities say was driving the wrong way on Highway 172.

Wrong-way driver crashes in Newport Beach
OCRegister - By CLAUDIA KOERNER / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER NEWPORT BEACH – A man was hospitalized with serious injuries after police said he crashed his car while driving the wrong wayon Newport Boulevard on Sunday morning. The man was driving a red Toyota Yaris ...

Bath Police Stop Two Wrong-Way Drivers From Getting on I-77
Patch.com - By Kasha Legeza Bath Police removed two suspected drunk drivers from the roadways this past week, in one case averting the possibility of a head-on collision on I-77. At 2:43 am on April 1, a Bath officer saw two cars heading the wrong way on an I-77 ...

Dash cam video: I-39 wrong way driver
Wausau Daily Herald - Police dash cam: I-39 wrong way driver: Authorities have released dash cam video of the scene after a driver was stopped, in the wrong direction on Interstate 39. Shirley Hogrefe has a pre-trial conference later this month on charges of recklessly ...

Wrong-way driver on Edens charged
Chicago Sun-Times - 3: Man drove wrong way for 6 miles on outbound Stevenson before crashing. • Jan. 14: Wrong-way SUV crashed into a car in Lincolnshire near Route 21 and Aptakisic Road. A wrong-way driver was arrested Monday and charged with DUI after driving at least a ...

Wrong-way driver sent to prison for fatal I-80 crash
Salt Lake Tribune - By Aaron Falk A Wyoming woman who took pills, smoked marijuana and drank alcohol beforedriving the wrong way on Interstate 80 and causing a deadly rollover crash has been sent to prison. Karen Lynn Gallegos, 59, told police she knew she was driving ...

Gustavus students in wreck that killed wrong-way driver
Minneapolis Star Tribune - Illinois State Police investigate a crash scene and La Salle, Ill., firefighters tend to a Gustavus Adolphus College student who was driving a car with three passengers that was struck by awrong-way driver on Interstate 39 two miles north of La Salle, ...

Cops: Wrong-way driver stopped on Edens Expressway
Chicago Tribune - Police say they pulled over a motorist who drove a mile in the wrong direction on the Edens Expressway this morning. Illinois State police said they received several calls around 3:30 am from motorists who reported seeing a silver vehicle driving south ...

Deputies: Drunken Wrong-Way Driver Speeds Down Hwy. 45
WISN Milwaukee - Investigators said a drunken woman was caught on camera Thursday driving wrong-way on Highway 45. Prosecutors said Rachel Kuebbing, 27, drove south for almost 2 1/2 miles in the northbound lane of Highway 45 before deputies stopped her near the Silver ...

Cops: Wrong-way driver beats resident with bat
Delaware County Daily Times - “Woodland Avenue is one way into the Drexeline Shopping Center (on State Road). The neighbors complain about drivers going the wrong way on the street and now using the alleyways instead of the street as a cut through. Drivers either disregard the ...

Wrong-way driver cited after crash along Interstate 84 near The Dalles
OregonLive.com - Weber began driving west in the eastbound lanes at exit 82 about 9:45 am, said Sgt. First Class Julie Wilcox, an OSP spokeswoman. An OSP detective saw the Land Cruiser and drove alongside it in the westbound lanes, trying to get Weber's attention, ...

Sheriff's officials arrest second wrong-way driver in less than a week
FOX6Now.com Milwaukee - This is the second wrong way driver to be arrested in less than a week. Sheriff's officials say Bruno pulled into a construction area and stopped near that location only after a tow truck driver flashed his yellow lights. Several squads responded to ...

Wrong-way driver was drunk, almost struck officer, say police ...
KITTERY, Maine — A woman drove the wrong way on the Route 1 Bypass for about two miles Thursday night and almost hit a patrol officer before she was arrested for driving while intoxicated, said Chief Paul Callaghan.

Ohio Trooper's Dash Cam Records Wrong-Way Driver

Steve Lombardi — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:23:45 -0600

This Ohio Trooper’s Dash Cam clearly shows the wrong-way driver followed by his unsuccessful chase and then the driving scene just after the crash that killed three students on spring break. If this doesn’t scare you nothing will. It’s surprising how many wrong-way interstate highway events and collisions or accidents there are. As a lawyer practicing in this area and monitoring the numbers I’m amazed to say the least. Now that I know the number of wrong-way interstate highway events I'm driving differently while traveling on an interstate highway. When nearing a rise in the road I get over in the right lane. I drive a lot less in the left lane and at night I'm always watching for lights coming towards me. Here watch the dash cam and then I've included links to recent wrong-way news stories.

Wrong-way driving events for March 20, 2012

Wrong-way driver in deadly Ohio crash had health problems, daughter says
Washington Post
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Investigators hope toxicology reports will provide more clues about thewrong-way driver in an interstate crash that killed three sorority sisters, while the woman's daughter said her mother had medical issues and was not a drinker, ...

Police video shows wrong-way driver seconds before fatal crash with Bowling ...
New York Daily News
Three young Bowling Green University students, Sarah Hammond, 21, Rebekah Blakkolb, 20, both juniors from Ohio, and Christina Goyett, 19, a sophomore from Michigan, were killed in the crash, along with the wrong-way driver, Winifred Lein, 69, ...

Video captures wrong-way Ohio driver who killed 3
Huffington Post
ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS | March 7, 2012 09:33 PM EST | AP COLUMBUS, Ohio — Awrong-way interstate driver slammed into a car full of sorority sisters on spring break about one minute after an Ohio trooper received a report about the errant driver, ...

Driver in Ohio wrong-way crash had just left work
Atlanta Journal Constitution
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS AP COLUMBUS, Ohio — A wrong-way driver who crashed into a car carrying sorority sisters on their way to a spring break trip, killing three of the students, had left work less than 30 minutes before police received the first 911 ...

Wrong way driver narrowly misses another motorist before fatal crash
northwestohio.com
by Angi Gonzalez For the second time, this month, there's been a deadly accident involving a wrong way driver along I-75 in Northwest Ohio. In both cases there were also witnesses, to the crash, that narrowly missed becoming victims themselves.

Ohio trooper learned of wrong-way driver a minute before I-75 crash that ...
Detroit Free Press
By Andrew Welsh-Huggins AP COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A driver going the wrong way on I-75 early Friday slammed into a car full of students about a minute after an Ohio trooper got a report about an errant driver, according to dashboard camera video the State ...

Daughter Says Wrong-Way Driver Had Health Problems « CBS ...
By Chris Allen // Staff Writer
The daughter of the wrong-way driver in a deadly crash on Interstate 75 in Ohio says her mother had medical issues and was not a drinker.

Mom of Ohio student in car that dodged wrong-way driver says she warned of ...
Washington Post
Terri Seibold's daughter, Kristen, was in a car that dodged a wrong-way driver as two cars of Bowling Green State University students headed to the Detroit airport early Friday for a spring break trip to the Dominican Republic.

Wrong-way driver kills four Filipino workers
Edmonton Journal
Four temporary workers from the Philippines were killed Sunday night on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway near Innisfail when a Range Rover travelling in the wrong lane slammed head-on into their rented SUV. Another one of the Filipino workers, ...

Bus driver suspended after driving wrong way on service road to ...
By Matt Peterson/Editor
A Dallas County Schools bus driver was suspended Monday after driving the wrong way on a highway service road in Irving, officials say. Yaw Boadi was driving east on State Highway 183 during the morning rush hour when he exited to ...

Wrong-Way Driver Being Checked For Medical Condition
A medical condition may be to blame for a driver who drove north on the southbound side of I-25 Wednesday morning. Police say she is being evaluated at a ...

Man stops wrong-way driver in LaPorte County
South Bend Tribune
By STAN MADDUX South Bend Tribune A LaPorte woman is grateful her husband returned home safely after his heroic measures to stop a wrong-way driver on US 30 on Monday possibly saved lives. ''I'm proud of him,'' Angie Woodcox said today.

Wrong-way driver arrested on I-94
Hudson Star Observer
A Baldwin man was arrested early Saturday morning after driving the wrong way on I-94, hitting a westbound vehicle and finally being stopped by tire-deflation devices, according to Sgt. Brian Erickson of the Wisconsin State Patrol.

State Patrol: Wrong-way driver arrested on I-5, lost and intoxicated
KOMO News
A suspected drunk driver was arrested Sunday morning after he drove the wrong wayup Interstate 5 for several miles near Tumwater in Thurston County, the Washington State Patrol reported. When troopers pulled the man over, he thought he was in Seattle...

Wrong-way driver causes Kennedy crash
ABC7Chicago.com
February 22, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Alcohol was involved in a wrong-way crash on the outbound Kennedy that injured two drivers early Wednesday morning, police say. Around 4:15 am, Vanessa Castillo, 25, of Chicago, drove a silver Chrysler thewrong way ...

Wrong-way driver arrested in Thurston County overnight
TheNewsTribune.com
A 27-year-old Burlington man was arrested early this morning for driving the wrong way on Interstate 5 in Thurston County, according to the Washington State Patrol. A 27-year-old Burlington man was arrested early this morning for driving the wrong way ...

Ohio Trooper's Dash Cam Records Wrong-Way Driver

Steve Lombardi — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 04:02:02 -0600

Ohio Trooper’s Dash Cam Shows wrong-way driver and then the driving scene just after the crash that killed three students on spring break. If this doesn’t scare you nothing will. It’s surprising how many wrong-way interstate highway events and collisions or accidents there are. As a lawyer practicing in this area and monitoring the numbers I’m amazed to say the least. If you have questions give me a call.

]]>Wrong-way driving events for March 20, 2012

YouBoob! When social media and common sense collide in Court

Steve Lombardi — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:00:36 -0600

This YouTube video led to a wrong-way drivers arrest and later to his car being crushed as punishment. Obviously, the Judge was not amused.

Today’s wrong-way interstate driver news stories include an ill-attempted escape from police that was posted on YouTube by his friends, who stand there laughing as they film what could have ended in a head-on crash. But it appears the judge had the last laugh when he makes his own comments when sentencing the youthful driver and the local authorities later crushed his car as part of the punishment.

Crushed his car?

That’s an interesting twist on how to draw attention to drinking, driving and heading the wrong-way on the interstate highway system.

See the video – Boy Racer Banned And Given An Eight-Month Suspended Sentence and see Colseshill Police Chase

]]>

[Copy and paste this link if the video won't work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4iLfFTU4iA]

And in Beaverton, Oregon a 38-year-old man (Hermelo Juarez-Garcia) from Portland speaks out about his experience with being struck by a wrong-way driver on Highway 217. This reporting coming to us from KGW News.

The Lombardi Law Firm site has an entire wrong-way accident section dedicated to the interstate highways in Iowa. If you would like to see the common threads with this type of accident I’d suggest you follow this link and perhaps I’ll add them to the end of this analysis.

Wrong-Way Driver Filmed By Friends Banned
Sky News
A man who was filmed driving the wrong way down a dual carriageway has been banned for three years and given an eight-month suspended sentence. Steven McInulty, 25, from Coventry was pursued by police officers as he sped along Faraday Avenue in ...

Wrong-way driver, nude hot-tubbers: Weekly police and fire blotter
Snoqualmie Valley Record
Wrong Way: At 5:45 pm, officers were called about an erratic driver, who first drove over some plants at a home in the 200 block of Sydney Avenue South, then left the scene and got onto the freeway going the wrong direction. The vehicle then struck a ...

North Bend Police (KCSO) - Wednesday, Feb. 15 - Wrong Way: At 5:45 p.m., officers were called about an erratic driver, who first drove over some plants at a home in the 200 block of Sydney Avenue South, then left the scene and got onto the freeway going the wrong direction. The vehicle then struck a semi and left the roadway, rolling down an embankment and crashing into a ravine. No one was injured.

Wrong-way driver warned by judge
Rutland and Stamford Mercury
A 25-year-old man filmed driving the wrong way along a busy dual carriageway in Warwickshire as his friends cheered from the roadside has been banned from the road and given a suspended jail term by a judge who warned him: "I am not going to forget ...

Wrong-way driver banned from the roads
ITN
A man who drove the wrong way along a busy dual carriageway as his friends hysterically cheered him on has been banned from getting back behind the wheel for three years. Twenty-five-year-old Steven McInulty evaded police capture as he weaved

Wrong-way driver banned from road
RAC
A man who drove the wrong way down a dual carriageway in Warwickshire has been told by a judge that his actions could have killed somebody. Steven McInulty, of Heathcote Street, Coventry, was banned from driving and received a suspended eight-month ...

Wrong-way driver causes 3-car crash on 217
kgw.com
A driver headed the wrong way on Highway 217 Sunday morning caused a three-car crash that closed the northbound lanes for several hours, police said. Beaverton police responded just before 3 am to the report of a crash on Highway 217, near the Walker ...

Wrong-way driver in I-10 crash was LSU graduate student, wedding photographer
NOLA.com
By Lori Lyons, The Times-Picayune The driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee who drove the wrong way on Interstate 10 near LaPlace early Friday morning and crashed into another vehicle, killing the four occupants and himself, has been identified by ...

Two injured in Highway 217 collision caused by wrong-way driver
News-Times
A wrong-way driver on Highway 217 early Sunday morning caused a head-on collision that injured two people near the Walker Road off-ramp. A wrong-way driver on Highway 217 early Sunday morning caused a head-on collision that injured two people near the ...

Wrong-way freeway driver faces charges
Sydney Morning Herald
A man who is alleged to have driven the wrong way on a Melbourne freeway yesterday is facing several traffic-related charges, police have confirmed. Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Kieren Walshe said today he was amazed no one was injured during ...

Wrong Way Driver Causes Collision On I-90
KXLY Spokane
A wrong way driver caused a three-car collision in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 near the Appleway exit west of Liberty Lake Tuesday afternoon. The Washington State Patrol has confirmed there were multiple injuries in the collision.

Wrong-way driver on Powers slams into building | powers, police ...
By TOM ROEDER
Police: Wrong-way driver on Powers slams into building | powers, police, wrong, car, way, calls, traveling, driver, boulevard, building.

Wrong Way Driver Causes Accident On I-90 - KHQ Right Now ...
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. - A wrong-way driver caused a major accident on I-90 Tuesday afternoon that had eastbound traffic completely blocked for over an hour .

Wrong-way Drivers on the interstate highway

If you think wrong-way drivers on the Interstate Highway system is a once-in-a-while thing, think again. Look at these reports from Google. It seems like there is an epidemic of wrong-way collisions and crashes out there. We've had several wrong-way drivers and accidents in Iowa.

About wrong-way drivers

Wrong way drivers present an obvious danger to all motorists on our highways.

The most recent available crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates wrong way drivers are involved in 1.5 percent of all fatal crashes.

Drivers who travel the wrong way on one way highways generally fall into one of eight different categories:

Intoxicated driver
Older drivers who easily get confused
Purposeful acts including attempts to commit suicide and criminals attempting to elude the police
Inattentive drivers who mistake an off-ramp for an on-ramp
Mental defect or disease
Prescription drug intoxication
Inexperience
GPS providing incorrect, inaccurate or confusing information

Safety tips and information related to wrong way driver situations:

Watch far ahead for signs of a possible wrong way driver, looking for signs similar to pending problems or developing emergency situations such as other traffic braking or swerving to avoid something, or the obvious - headlights coming in the opposite direction.
Caution against driving long periods in the left lane on freeways, especially on curves and over a hill or any rise in the road where you aren’t able to clearly see ahead.
Be aware that wrong way drivers usually drive in the passing lane believing they are actually on a two-lane highway.
The most common types of wrong way crashes are head-on or sideswipe crashes.

What should you do if you see a wrong-way driver?

Get to the shoulder and stop.
If you can’t get to the shoulder, slow down and attempt to safely stop your vehicle by pulling to the right.
Sound your horn.
Put on your lights and flash the high beams.
Call 9-1-1.
Before getting in the car wear your seat belts.
Drive in the right hand lane of travel on the Interstate.
When passing or coming to the crest of a hill look ahead for a wrong-way driver making sure the lane is clear.
Assume when in the left hand lane of a divided highway that you may come upon a wrong-way driver.
When driving on a divided highway stay vigilant and pay attention to what is ahead of you. Avoid allowing distractions to take your attention off the road ahead.

How can drivers avoid wrong-way driving?

Don’t drive drunk.
When coming to a divided highway come to a complete stop, look at and read the signs, making sure you know which way to go.
Don’t allow vehicles to the rear to rush you.
Stay off the telephone when driving.
Don’t allow distractions to interfere with being vigilant about your driving.
If you’re a young driver, don’t drive when the other passengers are a distraction.
If you’re an elderly driver, get evaluated once a year to see if your senses and skill level allow you to safely drive. Don’t be so stubborn about giving up your driver’s license that you ignore the signs of perception difficulties. Invest in and use a GPS.
Pay particular attention when driving north for southbound wrong-way drivers. For whatever reason there were more of these direction wrong-way drivers than any other.
Pay particular attention when driving after midnight and 2:30 a.m.

What else needs to happen to reduce wrong-way collisions?

States could identify the locations of repeated wrong-way entry points. Those points could be redesigned including tire puncture equipment such as we see in use at most parking ramps.
The Court’s must get very tough on drunk drivers and those who cause collisions from being on cell phones (talking or texting); more than they already have been.
The DOT should begin an education campaign for drivers to recognize and avoid wrong-way drivers.
The DOT should begin an education campaign to instruct drivers what to do when a wrong-way driver approaches.
States should further study wrong-way avoidance road and sign designs.
State DOT’s should consider a different middle line design with hash marks bent in the direction of travel and against the opposing direction.
Juries in civil actions need to send a clear message to offenders with large punitive damage awards.
The DOT needs to evaluate older drivers annually for visual and mental awareness; taking away driving privileges where there is risk.
Lawyers need to plead punitive damages in wrong-way collisions.
Victims need to be educated on what to do when they are involved in a wrong-way collision.
Witnesses of wrong-way collisions need to get involved with identifying themselves to police officers investigating a wrong-way collision. Those witnesses may have very valuable information to helping identify the entry points, causes and preventive measures.
DOT accident forms need to be amended to allow the collection of information to identify characteristics associated with causing wrong-way entry points, times when wrong-way collisions are most likely to occur and driver characteristics of those likely to drive the wrong-way. Children and friends of older drivers need to get involved with identifying those likely wrong-way drivers.
States should consider a radio system that would allow public service interruptions, like what is done on television when a weather emergency is eminent. It wouldn’t be perfect (not all radios are on) but something is perhaps better than nothing.

If you’re in an accident on I-35, I-80 or I-235 or any of the other interstate highways in Iowa give me a call. If on I-35 we can help you; so feel free to contact us and as always because we’d rather you call sooner than later.

Steve Lombardi, 1300 37^th Street, Suite 6, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Tel: 515-222-1110 Fax: 515-222-0718 Email: sdlombardi@aol.com

Settling your own wrong-way accident case

Steve Lombardi — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:00:29 -0600

Question: You asked what you need to do to settle your claim. Well let’s see if I can answer this in a blog, the better way is to hire a lawyer to protect your legal rights. And that’s what I recommend. Beyond that, what do you need to collect? Let’s look at the top ten, although this is by no means an exhaustive list of what personal injury lawyers do in proving your case.

Photographs of the car accident.
Photographs of the personal injuries.
Police officer or state trooper’s accident investigation report with photos and statements from witnesses.
Medical records including bills and reports.
A medical evaluation for permanent impairment and restrictions.
Wage loss information including W-2’s to prove past earning history.
Evidence to show reduced earning capacity which may include an occupational assessment, a functional capacity evaluation and PIR opinion.
Evidence to prove pain and suffering damages, if any.
Evidence to establish liability such as court documents to show a driver pleading guilty to charges of improperly operating a motor vehicle.
Deposition transcripts if any to prove who or what driver is at fault.

There is a very good reason why I hire an accountant to prepare our tax returns and why I hire a lawyer to prepare a will for me. I’m simply not competent to handle those legal matters myself.

So like a lawyer handling their own case, any person handling their own case has a fool for a client. Remember that adage; it may fit your situation.

Here are some news stories of different causes, alleged but not yet proven, of wrong way accidents.

]]>Settlement Reached In Notorious 2005 L.I. Wrong-Way DWI Crash ...
By mzielinska
The family of a 7-year-old girl killed in a wrong-way drunken-driving crash in 2005 on Long Island has reached a settlement in the lawsuit against the convicted driver and the company that owned the limousine they were riding in.

Wrong-way driver – Mixing alcohol and inexperience?

Watch video: Dash cam shows wrong-way driver, near collision with police car ...
Green Bay Press Gazette
10:32 am Watch video: Dash cam shows wrong-way driver, near collision with police car on Hwy. 41 A teenager faces a drunken-driving charge after nearly hitting an Ashwaubenon Public Safety officer Sunday while driving the wrong way on US 41 at 70 mph. ...

Wrong-way driving - GPS to blame? Probably not.

Police: Framingham wrong-way driver blamed GPS
MetroWest Daily News
By Norman Miller/Daily News staff A Framingham man said he was just following his GPS on Saturday when he was driving the wrong way on Rte. 9, police said. But Peter Aweh, 62, was actually drunk when he was finally pulled over at 3:24 am after driving ...

Drug Impaired? – The wrong-way driver

Wrong way driver jailed on DUI, drug charges
Northwest Cable News
A Boise Police officer was on patrol around 2 am when he spotted a driver going the wrong way on N. 3rd Street (a one-way street) between Main and Idaho streets. The officer pulled the car over and went to talk with the driver. The driver's speech was ...

Wrong-way Drivers on the interstate highway

About wrong-way drivers

Wrong way drivers present an obvious danger to all motorists on our highways.

The most recent available crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates wrong way drivers are involved in 1.5 percent of all fatal crashes.

Drivers who travel the wrong way on one way highways generally fall into one of eight different categories:

Intoxicated driver
Older drivers who easily get confused
Purposeful acts including attempts to commit suicide and criminals attempting to elude the police
Inattentive drivers who mistake an off-ramp for an on-ramp
Mental defect or disease
Prescription drug intoxication
Inexperience
GPS providing incorrect, inaccurate or confusing information

Safety tips and information related to wrong way driver situations:

Watch far ahead for signs of a possible wrong way driver, looking for signs similar to pending problems or developing emergency situations such as other traffic braking or swerving to avoid something, or the obvious - headlights coming in the opposite direction.
Caution against driving long periods in the left lane on freeways, especially on curves and over a hill or any rise in the road where you aren’t able to clearly see ahead.
Be aware that wrong way drivers usually drive in the passing lane believing they are actually on a two-lane highway.
The most common types of wrong way crashes are head-on or sideswipe crashes.

What should you do if you see a wrong-way driver?

Get to the shoulder and stop.
If you can’t get to the shoulder, slow down and attempt to safely stop your vehicle by pulling to the right.
Sound your horn.
Put on your lights and flash the high beams.
Call 9-1-1.
Before getting in the car wear your seat belts.
Drive in the right hand lane of travel on the Interstate.
When passing or coming to the crest of a hill look ahead for a wrong-way driver making sure the lane is clear.
Assume when in the left hand lane of a divided highway that you may come upon a wrong-way driver.
When driving on a divided highway stay vigilant and pay attention to what is ahead of you. Avoid allowing distractions to take your attention off the road ahead.

How can drivers avoid wrong-way driving?

Don’t drive drunk.
When coming to a divided highway come to a complete stop, look at and read the signs, making sure you know which way to go.
Don’t allow vehicles to the rear to rush you.
Stay off the telephone when driving.
Don’t allow distractions to interfere with being vigilant about your driving.
If you’re a young driver, don’t drive when the other passengers are a distraction.
If you’re an elderly driver, get evaluated once a year to see if your senses and skill level allow you to safely drive. Don’t be so stubborn about giving up your driver’s license that you ignore the signs of perception difficulties. Invest in and use a GPS.
Pay particular attention when driving north for southbound wrong-way drivers. For whatever reason there were more of these direction wrong-way drivers than any other.
Pay particular attention when driving after midnight and 2:30 a.m.

What else needs to happen to reduce wrong-way collisions?

States could identify the locations of repeated wrong-way entry points. Those points could be redesigned including tire puncture equipment such as we see in use at most parking ramps.
The Court’s must get very tough on drunk drivers and those who cause collisions from being on cell phones (talking or texting); more than they already have been.
The DOT should begin an education campaign for drivers to recognize and avoid wrong-way drivers.
The DOT should begin an education campaign to instruct drivers what to do when a wrong-way driver approaches.
States should further study wrong-way avoidance road and sign designs.
State DOT’s should consider a different middle line design with hash marks bent in the direction of travel and against the opposing direction.
Juries in civil actions need to send a clear message to offenders with large punitive damage awards.
The DOT needs to evaluate older drivers annually for visual and mental awareness; taking away driving privileges where there is risk.
Lawyers need to plead punitive damages in wrong-way collisions.
Victims need to be educated on what to do when they are involved in a wrong-way collision.
Witnesses of wrong-way collisions need to get involved with identifying themselves to police officers investigating a wrong-way collision. Those witnesses may have very valuable information to helping identify the entry points, causes and preventive measures.
DOT accident forms need to be amended to allow the collection of information to identify characteristics associated with causing wrong-way entry points, times when wrong-way collisions are most likely to occur and driver characteristics of those likely to drive the wrong-way. Children and friends of older drivers need to get involved with identifying those likely wrong-way drivers.
States should consider a radio system that would allow public service interruptions, like what is done on television when a weather emergency is eminent. It wouldn’t be perfect (not all radios are on) but something is perhaps better than nothing.

Steve Lombardi, 1300 37^th Street, Suite 6, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Tel: 515-222-1110 Fax: 515-222-0718 Email: sdlombardi@aol.com

Wrong-way drivers still active and too numerous to count

Steve Lombardi — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:00:12 -0600

I’ve taken a week off from blogging to catch up on legal work for paying clients. We’ve been busy settling cases and taking depositions. But that week is in the books and we move down the road along I-80 and I-35 still watching what is going on with the icy weather and who is crashing, colliding, rolling over and driving the wrong-way on the interstate highways across the country. Today we have a slew of wrong-way collisions; unfortunately the numbers of wrong-way Interstate highway events aren’t slowing down. It seems to me the numbers are increasing although the causes haven’t really changed much. At the end of this blog of news items I’ll list the firm’s lists to help you understand the cause, who is likely to drive the wrong way and how to protect you and your family from the devastating consequences of wrong-way drivers. Let’s get busy because the list today is very long.

Storm chaser killed by wrong-way driver
CBS News
4, 2012 when one driver proceeded down the wrong way of Turner Turnpike. (KOTV) SAPULPA, Okla. - A storm chaser featured on the Weather Channel has been killed in a head-on collision in northeastern Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol hasn't released ...

DUI charges for wrong-way driver after collision on Stevenson ramp
Chicago Tribune
An SUV traveled five miles the wrong way on the outbound Stevenson Expressway and crashed head-on with a small car on a ramp to Lake Shore Drive early Friday morning, seriously injuring bothdrivers, authorities say. Rakesh J. Baker, 23, ...

]]>Before fatal crash, wrong-way driver screamed: 'You guys ready to die?'
Chicago Tribune
But as they neared Hazel Crest on Interstate 80, Vargas made a sharp U-turn and headed back thewrong way, colliding with another car and killing himself and three other people early Monday, said Rodriguez, the lone survivor. "He was driving crazy, ...

Wrong-way driver faces murder charge in OC freeway fatality
Los Angeles Times
A Pomona man who allegedly spent the night drinking in Newport Beach has been charged withdriving the wrong way on the 91 Freeway and slamming head-on into an oncoming car, killing a 53-year-old woman. Ruben Gurrola, 23, is scheduled to be arraigned ...

Driving wrong way on freeway, Redwood City man kills 3
San Jose Mercury News
By Cathy Locke The man suspected of driving while drunk head-on into a van of five people early Monday -- killing three and critically injuring two others -- had previously had his license suspended for DUI, state officials said Monday.

Wrong-way driver's blood alcohol level was .13
San Antonio Express
Trial testimony Thursday described Jenny Ann Ybarra as having a blood alcohol level of 0.13 — nearly twice the legal limit — after driving the wrong way on Loop 410 and crashing her silver Lexus into a black Honda early Dec. 16, 2007.

Arraignment Delayed for Fatal Wrong Way Driver
Patch.com
By OC Patch Staff A 23-year-old man involved in a deadly wrong-way crash on the Riverside (91) Freeway following a night of drinking at a Newport Beach bar last month was not healthy enough to be arraigned today, but officials will try again to hold ...

Four Illinois men killed in fiery wrong-way crash
Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Four Chicago-area men were killed Monday in a fiery crash when awrong-way driver on Interstate 80 smashed into another car. Alcohol is believed to have played a part in the early morning collision near the Chicago suburb of Hazel ...

Police: Alcohol a factor in wrong-way I-80 wreck that killed 4
Chicago Sun-Times
Four men were killed and one was injured when a wrong-way driver slammed into a car on westbound Interstate 80 early Monday near south suburban Hazel Crest. Alcohol was suspected to have been a factor, Illinois State Police said.

Storm chaser killed in Oklahoma collision with wrong-way driver
By msnbc.com staff
Storm chaser Andy Gabrielson survived the hunt for tornadoes for more than 10 years, but driving home Saturday afternoon after two days of chasing storms in north Texas, he could not avoid awrong-way driver on an Oklahoma highway, The ...

Wrong-Way Driver Slams Head-On Into Car On Stevenson Ramp ...
By Adam Harrington
Two people were left in critical condition early Friday when a wrong-way driver smashed into a car on the ramp from the Stevenson Expressway to Lake Shore Drive.

Trooper, bystander aid wrong-way driver » Local News ...
By By Alan Burke
BEVERLY — A state police trooper and a good Samaritan came to the aid of a stunned wrong-way driver on Route 128 yester.

4 Killed On I-80 When Wrong-Way Driver Hits Car Head-On « CBS ...
By Adam Harrington
Alcohol was suspected to be a factor in a fiery wreck that left four people dead early Monday, after awrong-way driver crashed into another car on Interstate 80 in Hazel Crest.

Wrong-way driver guilty in fatal DWI crash on I-95
The Journal News | LoHud.com
Xavier Mascareñas/The Journal News A Queens woman agreed Tuesday to serve three to nine years in state prison for a wrong-way drunken crash on Interstate 95 in New Rochelle last year that killed one man and seriously injured another.

Wrong-way driver stopped after four mile I-25 chase
Colorado Springs Gazette
A wrong-way driver traveled more than four miles south in the northbound lanes of Interstate 25 through Colorado Springs early Sunday before he was stopped by a policeman he'd passed head-on. Colorado Springs police say the wrong-way driver was spotted ...

Wrong way driver arrested on I-91
WWLP.com
Drivers on I-91 in Franklin County got a big scare Friday morning.. A car was driving the wrong way.

Wrong-Way Driver Causes Wreck On Southbound Highway 75 In Tulsa
News On 6
A Sheriff's deputy saw the wrong-way pickup truck driver and tried to flag him down. The man hit a four-door sedan. Southbound lanes of US Highway 75 at 61st Street South were closed after a two-vehicle crash. Traffic was diverted from the highway as ...

Three teens driving wrong way die in head-on collision that killed second driver
Baltimore Sun
Three Anne Arundel County teens traveling the wrong way toward oncoming traffic were killed early Saturday in a head-on collision that also killed the second driver on state Route 50 near Davidsonville Road, Maryland State Police said.

Cops: Wrong-Way Driver Was High on Sunken Meadow
Patch.com
By Kaitlyn Piccoli New Hyde Park resident Walter Tortora was arrested on charges of DWI drugs anddriving the wrong way on the Sunken Meadow Parkway. Courtesy New York State Police Department A drug-impaired man was arrested early Sunday after police ...

2 dead in crash caused by wrong way driver on I-15
San Jose Mercury News
Authorities say two people are dead after an 85-year-old woman drove the wrong way on Interstate 15, causing a deadly head-on collision in Victorville. California Highway Patrol Officer Joaquin Zubieta says the wreck occurred at about 10:45 am Tuesday, ...

Woman killed by wrong-way driver on 91 Freeway
Contra Costa Times
A wrong-way driver in a blue Honda Civic headed east on the westbound Riverside (91) Freeway and crashed head-on into a car coming the opposite way early Sunday. Power tools were used to crack open the wrecked vehicles and remove four people, ...

Cops: Wrong-way parkway driver was high
Newsday
Click here Cops: Wrong-way parkway driver was high Originally published: January 31, 2012 12:25 PM Updated: January 31, 2012 12:39 PM By JOHN VALENTI john.valenti@newsday.com A drug-impaired driver was arrested after State Police stopped him while he ...

MD TRAFFIC: Both drivers under influence in wrong-way crash
Delmarva Daily Times
AP CROFTON — Maryland State Police say both drivers in a fatal wrong-way crash on an Anne Arundel County highway were under the influence of alcohol. Police said Tuesday that toxicology reports showed that the drivers of the two cars that collided on ...

Police: Loaded wrong-way driver had handgun, too
Worcester Telegram
By Linda Bock TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF Alex Morin, the accused wrong-way drunkendriver who state police said slammed his car into a state police cruiser on Interstate 495 early Sunday morning and kept driving before eventually being stopped, ...

Wrong Way Driver On I-44 Suspected Of DUI In Head-On Crash In Tulsa
News On 6
A wrong-way driver suspected of DUI sent four people to the hospital in a head-on collision early Saturday morning. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers say 19-year-old Taylor Bennett was westbound in the eastbound lanes when she struck another car head-on ...

Wrong-way driver in crash on I-88
Chicago Daily Herald
By Matt Arado A car heading in the wrong direction on Interstate 88 slammed into another vehicle early Sunday morning, leaving both drivers injured, Illinois State Police said. The crash occurred shortly after 3 am Sunday near Cermak Road in Oak Brook, ...

Deputy stops wrong-way driver
News Chief
By PHIL ATTINGER LAKE WALES - A Polk County Sheriff's deputy stopped a wrong-way driverMonday afternoon with his car. The deputy, as yet unnamed, was laying down "stop sticks" at SR 60 and Rifle Range Road to stop a green Kia SUV that had been driven ...

Wrong-way driver threatened in Natick
MetroWest Daily News
By Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff A Natick man was arrested Saturday after he pulled a knife on a wrong-way driver, police said. Firefighters who were passing by Clarendon Street at 6:30 pm, beside the police station, radioed for officers to step ...

Wrong way driver charged with OVI
WDTN
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) - A Clark County deputy stopped a driver going the wrong way. He received a surprising answer when asked why. Few drivers were on North Street early Friday morning when this deputy drove back to headquarters at the end of his ...

Felony Charges Created For Wrong Way And Reckless Drivers
NewsLI
(Long Island, NY) The New York State Senate today passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), to create felony charges for wrong-way and other reckless drivers. “Wrong-way drivers have caused tragedies and endangered ...

Speed, wrong-way driving leads to two DUI arrests in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
As well as the drunken driving arrest, Porter was arrested on suspicion of violating probation and possessing the drugs. Another suspected drunken driver went to jail early Sunday, after being spotted driving the wrong way on a Santa Rosa street, ...

Wrong-way driver crashes into car on icy I-405
KING5.com
Troopers said a woman drove four miles in the wrong direction on the snow-covered highway and collided with a man in Bothell. Both drivers suffered serious injuries. "It was just one of those things that it happened so fast.

Man killed by wrong-way driver in Medina County
Akron Beacon Journal
Ohio Highway Patrol troopers say the wrong-way driver, Justen Russell, 22, of Wadsworth, was being treated for injuries at Akron General Medical Center. The crash happened at about 6:50 pm when Russell was driving west in the interstate's eastbound ...

Wrong-way driver causes four-car crash on I-93 after police end chase
Boston.com
By Colin A. Young, Globe Correspondent A wrong-way driver in an allegedly stolen car caused a four-car crash on Interstate 93 following a police pursuit this afternoon, according to State Police. Officials said there were no injuries reported from the ...

Wrong-way driver's license has been revoked three times
Boston Herald
Saunders was already wanted by Reading police for wrong-way driving Dec. 29, police said. He was classified as a threat behind the wheel after that incident, and his license was revoked Jan. 4, according to Registry records. His driving record also ...

Wrong-way driver nearly hits state trooper
Chicago Sun-Times
The trooper had pulled over a vehicle on the northbound Kennedy at Kostner about 1:45 am when he spotted the wrong-way driver coming his way, Illinois State Police spokesman Mark Hall said. Thewrong-way driver swerved onto the shoulder, ...

Wrong-way driver nearly strikes Wis. cop
Police News
An officer had a near miss Sunday when his cruiser was nearly struck by a teen driver going thewrong way. Part of a task force targeting intoxicated drivers, the Ashwaubenon Public Safety officer was on patrol Sunday, Fox 11 Online reported. ...

Wrong-way driver who caused SR 408 crash was drunk, cops say
Orlando Sentinel
An officer spotted Brady traveling the wrong way on SR 408 when she hit a vehicle, sending it up a guardrail and flipping it over on its side. The driver of that car suffered minor hand injuries and the vehicle was seriously damaged. ...

Family Of Woman Killed By Wrong-Way Driver Speaks Out
NBC4i.com
The family of a woman who died in a wrong-way crash talks to NBC4. (more) A local family mourns the loss of a grandmother and mother. 54-year-old Sheila Watson died early Sunday morning after Columbus police said a wrong-way driver smashed head on into ...

Woman stopped after driving wrong way for miles
Houston Chronicle
Cars in the southbound lanes flashed their high beams at the oncoming car, trying to warn the driver. Some narrowly avoided head-on collisions. Finally, after the wrong-way driver covered nearly 18 miles at speeds up to 100 mph, troopers were able to ...

Wrong-Way Driver Charged as Habitual Offender
Patch.com
15, charged with driving after being deemed a Habitual Offender, Class B Felony. Athanasopoulos was also charged with a one-way roadway violation. Athanasopoulos was stopped while driving at about 3:44 am going the wrong way on Kinsley Street by Nashua ...

Wrong-way driver in crash that killed Santa Cruz mom enters plea of not guilty ...
San Jose Mercury News
By Jessica M. Pasko SANTA CRUZ -- The man accused of driving the wrong way on Highway 17 and killing a Santa Cruz mother last summer has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Eric Rsel Weers, 29, was driving an Acura SUV on Ocean Street on July 11 ...

Wrong-way driver stopped on Highway 51
Wausau Daily Herald
KRONENWETTER -- Police used a squad car to stop a female driver Saturday traveling in thewrong lane on Highway 51 near Kowalski Road, officials said. After stop sticks -- used to puncture a vehicle's tires -- failed to stop the driver, an officer from ...

Police Log: Wrong Way Driver Arrested
Patch.com
By Andrew Jeromski The following information was supplied by the Reading police department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction. 2:14 pm—Richard S. Saunders, 48, of Reading, was arrested on an outstanding warrant ...

Wrong-way Drivers on the interstate highway

About wrong-way drivers

Wrong way drivers present an obvious danger to all motorists on our highways.

The most recent available crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates wrong way drivers are involved in 1.5 percent of all fatal crashes.

Drivers who travel the wrong way on one way highways generally fall into one of eight different categories:

Intoxicated driver
Older drivers who easily get confused
Purposeful acts including attempts to commit suicide and criminals attempting to elude the police
Inattentive drivers who mistake an off-ramp for an on-ramp
Mental defect or disease
Prescription drug intoxication
Inexperience
GPS providing incorrect, inaccurate or confusing information

Safety tips and information related to wrong way driver situations:

Watch far ahead for signs of a possible wrong way driver, looking for signs similar to pending problems or developing emergency situations such as other traffic braking or swerving to avoid something, or the obvious - headlights coming in the opposite direction.
Caution against driving long periods in the left lane on freeways, especially on curves and over a hill or any rise in the road where you aren’t able to clearly see ahead.
Be aware that wrong way drivers usually drive in the passing lane believing they are actually on a two-lane highway.
The most common types of wrong way crashes are head-on or sideswipe crashes.

What should you do if you see a wrong-way driver?

Get to the shoulder and stop.
If you can’t get to the shoulder, slow down and attempt to safely stop your vehicle by pulling to the right.
Sound your horn.
Put on your lights and flash the high beams.
Call 9-1-1.
Before getting in the car wear your seat belts.
Drive in the right hand lane of travel on the Interstate.
When passing or coming to the crest of a hill look ahead for a wrong-way driver making sure the lane is clear.
Assume when in the left hand lane of a divided highway that you may come upon a wrong-way driver.
When driving on a divided highway stay vigilant and pay attention to what is ahead of you. Avoid allowing distractions to take your attention off the road ahead.

How can drivers avoid wrong-way driving?

Don’t drive drunk.
When coming to a divided highway come to a complete stop, look at and read the signs, making sure you know which way to go.
Don’t allow vehicles to the rear to rush you.
Stay off the telephone when driving.
Don’t allow distractions to interfere with being vigilant about your driving.
If you’re a young driver, don’t drive when the other passengers are a distraction.
If you’re an elderly driver, get evaluated once a year to see if your senses and skill level allow you to safely drive. Don’t be so stubborn about giving up your driver’s license that you ignore the signs of perception difficulties. Invest in and use a GPS.
Pay particular attention when driving north for southbound wrong-way drivers. For whatever reason there were more of these direction wrong-way drivers than any other.
Pay particular attention when driving after midnight and 2:30 a.m.

What else needs to happen to reduce wrong-way collisions?

States could identify the locations of repeated wrong-way entry points. Those points could be redesigned including tire puncture equipment such as we see in use at most parking ramps.
The Court’s must get very tough on drunk drivers and those who cause collisions from being on cell phones (talking or texting); more than they already have been.
The DOT should begin an education campaign for drivers to recognize and avoid wrong-way drivers.
The DOT should begin an education campaign to instruct drivers what to do when a wrong-way driver approaches.
States should further study wrong-way avoidance road and sign designs.
State DOT’s should consider a different middle line design with hash marks bent in the direction of travel and against the opposing direction.
Juries in civil actions need to send a clear message to offenders with large punitive damage awards.
The DOT needs to evaluate older drivers annually for visual and mental awareness; taking away driving privileges where there is risk.
Lawyers need to plead punitive damages in wrong-way collisions.
Victims need to be educated on what to do when they are involved in a wrong-way collision.
Witnesses of wrong-way collisions need to get involved with identifying themselves to police officers investigating a wrong-way collision. Those witnesses may have very valuable information to helping identify the entry points, causes and preventive measures.
DOT accident forms need to be amended to allow the collection of information to identify characteristics associated with causing wrong-way entry points, times when wrong-way collisions are most likely to occur and driver characteristics of those likely to drive the wrong-way. Children and friends of older drivers need to get involved with identifying those likely wrong-way drivers.
States should consider a radio system that would allow public service interruptions, like what is done on television when a weather emergency is eminent. It wouldn’t be perfect (not all radios are on) but something is perhaps better than nothing.

Steve Lombardi, 1300 37^th Street, Suite 6, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Tel: 515-222-1110 Fax: 515-222-0718 Email: sdlombardi@aol.com

Do I have any legal recourse after an auto accident if I was not seriously injured?

Steve Lombardi — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:00:53 -0600

Question: Do I have any legal recourse in an auto accident if I was not injured? I am a truck driver involved in an accident in a company truck. The other driver admitted to being at fault along with two witnesses that stated it was his fault. He had minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. I had a stiff neck for a few days, but did not seek medical attention. I was laid off a week later. I had a clean driving record until this happened. Now I'm having a hard time getting driving jobs because of this accident. Do I have any legal recourse against the other driver from this accident?

]]>Answer: Well no. In every personal injury action, which the law calls a "tort" you need four things before you are allowed to sue and to proceed.

1. A duty.

2. A breach of the duty.

3. Damages.

4. Your damages need to be proximately caused by the negligence of the "tortfeasor" the wrongdoer.

In your case you are simply missing 3 and 4. You have no damages and therefore no damages were proximately caused by the wrongdoer. Your personal injury is what the law refers to as de minimis. Lay people would use this definition and lawyers this one. Frankly it was what the McDonald's marketing machine was all about but they were completely wrong and fooled most people into believing the sky was falling.

De minimis is a Latin expression meaning about minimal things, normally in the locutions de minimis non curat praetor ("The praetor does not concern himself with trifles") or de minimis non curat lex ("The law does not concern itself with trifles").[1][2]

In risk assessment it refers to a level of risk that is too small to be concerned with. Some refer to this as a "virtually safe" level.[3]

An abbreviated form of the Latin Maxim de minimis non curat lex, "the law cares not for small things." A legal doctrine by which a court refuses to consider trifling matters.

In a lawsuit, a court applies the de minimis doctrine to avoid the resolution of trivial matters that are not worthy of judicial scrutiny. Its application sometimes results in the dismissal of an action, particularly when the only redress sought is for a nominal sum, such as one dollar. Appellate courts also use the de minimis doctrine when appropriate.

But the personal injury aside you did also mention a wage loss being caused by your having a tough time keeping a job. It didn’t take me 30 years of practice to know it’s going to be extremely difficult to prove you’re not being able to find any truck driving job is somehow proximately caused by this one little accident. There must be more than you’re telling me; either that or you aren’t trying hard enough to find work.

Make sense? Now get back to work.

Wrong-way Interstate Accident Reports to December 20, 2011

Steve Lombardi — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:00:13 -0600

Here are another 12 wrong-way interstate highway driver accidents in the news. This group includes wrong-way driving events from the following states: Connecticut (intoxicated driver); Alabama (driver being sought); Texas (intoxication manslaughter); Montana (driver reportedly charged with six misdemeanors including driving under the influence and drug possession.); another Montana wrong-way on I-90 (appears to be a mental health issue); Wisconsin (erratic driving with cause unknown driver died), South Carolina (I-26, DUI arrest); Texas (Sam Houston Parkway, driver died, cause not stated); Montana on Highway 40 (driver died cause unknown); Forth Worth, Texas on I-35 and arrested for suspicion of intoxication manslaughter and endangerment of a child; Lake Mills, Wisconsin on I-94; Houston, Texas on Highway 290, raw video still working; and Montville, Connecticut (charges related to drunken driving).

"Let's take away their right to buy booze. Taking away the driver's license isn't enough."

Wrong-way driver charged with DUI
Norwich Bulletin
4, 2010, Ellen H. Noordzy, 22, was reportedly driving the wrong way on the southbound side of I-95, in the area of exit 93, when state police said she struck a southbound car head-on. The two occupants of the car Noordzy hit, Bruce A. Wall, 22, ...

]]>Wrong-way driver sought after wreck sends 3 to hospital
Sand Mountain Reporter
A wrong-way driver caused a two-vehicle wreck Thursday night that sent three people to the hospital and has spurred a search for one of the drivers involved. According to Albertville Assistant Police Chief Maj. Jamie Smith, a 2002 Toyota Camry driven ...

Charges Upgraded against Wrong-Way Driver
MyFox Dallas
FORT WORTH, Texas - Tarrant County prosecutors have raised the charges on a wrong-way driver from intoxication manslaughter to murder. The district attorney's office said it felt as thought the case against 25-year-old Brittany Burton had special ...

Car driving wrong way hits patrol car on Interstate 90
Helena Independent Record
She was driving her 1995 Chevrolet Corsica eastbound in the westbound lane near the Pipestone exit, west of Whitehall, just after 7 pm, authorities said. After receiving several 911 calls from motorists about a wrong-way driver, a Jefferson County ...

Montana Minute: wrong-way driver; suspect caught; MHP ceremony
KRTV Great Falls News
Darrell Shepherd, a semi truck driver who claims someone was chasing him the wrong way down the interstate, pleaded not guilty in Missoula. Shepherd faces three counts of felony criminal endangerment. Several drivers had to swerve out of his way to ...

Wrong-way Driver Killed on Highway 15
WBAY
Authorities at the scene of a fatal crash in Outagamie County say the driver who died was going the wrong way on Highway 15. The crash happened at 12:30 Tuesday afternoon just west of the intersection of Highway 76. The sheriff's department says a ...

Patrol: Wrong-way driver forced off I-26, arrested
The State
Since 2010, two people have died in similar wrong-way incidents on the same stretch of Interstate 26, the patrol said. “It is not uncommon for troopers to get reports of wrong-way drivers on interstates. These situations typically end in a serious ...

Wrong-way driver wrecks, closing Beltway 8
Houston Chronicle
A wrong-way driver slammed into another vehicle in a traffic wreck on the west Sam Houston Parkway in southwest Houston early Tuesday morning. The two-vehicle crash occurred on the northbound lanes of Beltway 8 near Bissonnet about 4 am, according to ...

Wrong Way Driver Dies In Head-On Crash
FOX2now.com
A man is dead after authorities say he drove the wrong direction on Highway 40 and crashed into another vehicle. The accident happened around 9:45 pm Thursday near Boone's Crossings in Chesterfield. Police say James Gobble, 35, of Chesterfield was ...

Relatives of man killed in wrong-way driving case in Fort Worth sought
Fort Worth Star Telegram
By Domingo Ramirez Jr. and Alex Branch FORT WORTH - Authorities were searching Sunday for relatives of a man who was killed late Saturday in a traffic accident on the South Freeway caused by a wrong-way driver. The 47-year-old victim who died at the ...

Father grieves for daughter killed in wrong-way driving crash ...
Nicole, a recent graduate at UW-Whitewater, was on her way home from work early one morning in January 2007. She was on I-94 near Cottage Grove when the unthinkable happened.

Raw: Wrong-way driver hits minivan, pickup on 290 | khou.com ...
Three vehicles were involved in a crash caused by a wrong-way driver on Highway 290 Tuesday morning.

Patrol: Wrong-way driver forced off I-26, arrested - Crime & Courts ...
A highway patrolman forced a driver who was travelling the wrong way on Interstate-26 off the road early Wednesday morning, the South Carolina Highway ...

Police arrest wrong-way driver on West Side|WOAI: San Antonio News
San Antonio police said a wrong-way driver was arrested after leading officers on a short chase on the West Side Wednesday night.

Woman charged with assault, drunken driving in 2010 crash on I-95 ...
4, 2010, Ellen H. Noordzy, 22, was driving the wrong way on the southbound side of I-95, in the area of exit 93, when state police said she struck a southbound ...

Wrong way driver causes crash on Bypass 20 - wsbtradio.com
ST JOSEPH COUNTY – Police responded to a wrong way driver between Mishawaka and South Bend Thursday afternoon when a person drove onto an exit ...

Question: How is negligence determined in personal injury cases?

Steve Lombardi — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:41 -0600

Question: How is negligence determined in personal injury cases?

Does negligence have to be established in order to collect damages in any personal injury case?

]]>Answer: Negligence is a legal concept that establishes whether or not a party can be at fault and thus have to pay for someone else's damages. Yes, you have to prove someone was negligent in order to have any possibility of collecting damages. So what is negligent behavior? Negligent behavior is a breach of a recognized standard created by law, agreement of the parties or recognized behavioral standards.

Statutes and Black Letter Law: The statutory law states that everyone must stop at a stop sign. If you run the stop sign you are negligent.

Common Law: If you behave in such a way as to increase the risk of injury to another knowing injury is likely then you can be found to have been negligent.

Contract: General contractors agree by way of a written agreement (the contract) to supervise the construction site and to make sure every subcontractor is abiding by OSHA's rules and regulations. If the GC knows a sub is not following OSHA rules/regs or fails to monitor whether the subs are adhering to OSHA rules they can be found to be negligent.

Criminal Law: Criminal law says if I walk up and punch you in the nose I'm guilty of assault and battery. If I walk up to one guy but hit another due to my being too drunk to make a straight punch, then I'm probably negligent. That's a standard that can be applied to civil law to find you acted negligently.

Professional Standards: Professionals are held to a standard created and recognized by other professionals and the associations that govern their conduct.

These are not all the ways standards are found in the civil law, but it will give you some idea of how standards are determined to exist and therefore formulate the basis for determining negligent conduct.

wRonG-wAy dRIverS DRIVING us nUtS. Interstate Highway Drivers Saying, We Gotta Get Outta this Place.

Steve Lombardi — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:01:19 -0600

Animals, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place, 1965

We are back again with more wrong-way driving incidents on the interstate highway system across America. Let’s do the tally:

Places with and alleged reasons for Wrong-way drivers:

Honolulu, Hawaii with a young man balancing two jobs and probably tired (It is unknown at this time if speed, drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash, which occurred under clear skies in a well-lit area of the freeway.).

South Kingstown, Rhode Island, here is a quote: “Woods failed to perform the field sobriety tests to the satisfaction of the officers and was subsequently placed under arrest.”; moving on we head to

Doralville, Georgia where the wrong-way driver is reported by the news source to have been driving under the influence and after driving the wrong direction on Interstate 20 struck the car of a police officer, killing the detective. Another linked story with video. Mug shot of suspect.

Pewaukee, Waukesha County, Wisconsin, I-94 – “The Waukesha County Medical Examiner's Office is now reporting Ewing had a blood alcohol level of .35, nearly five times the legal limit.”

Franklin, Indiana – Johnson County, U.S. 31 south – “ … arrested on charges of operating while intoxicated, burglary and possession of stolen property, Johnson County Sheriff Doug Cox said.”

Chaska, Minnesota, Audobon Road – cause unreported although there is a hint in the following quote: “A Shakopee man was killed and three people were injured in a head-on collision Friday evening in Chaska.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Interesting story, FOX6 Investigation: What do all nine wrong way driving incidents have in common?

Nine wrong way driving cases on Milwaukee freeways in 2011

In 2009 nationwide, more than 1,700 people died in wrong way crashes. The problem has gotten so bad in Arizona that officials are now testing sensors that will detect if there is a wrong way driver, and notify others on the highway with electronic signs. Highway safety experts say all you can really do if you come in contact with a wrong way driver, is flash your high beams, and try to determine what lane the driver is in. Most often, they'll be in the fast lane, because they think they're in the slow lane.

Hartford, Connecticut – I-84 near exit 47. “A man from Windsor is facing DUI charges after a wrong-way crash Wednesday night on I-84 in Hartford” A second link to this incident.

“Martin Ballines Rios, 40, was driving south in the northbound lane of Audobon Road at Wildflower Lane just before 7:30 p.m. when he struck a pickup truck driving north.

Ballines Rios died at the scene.

The truck's driver and two passengers, all from Victoria, Minn., were treated at Ridgeview Hospital in Chaska and released, according to the Chaska Police Department.

Alcohol was detected on Ballines Rios, according to the State Patrol. “

Boone County, Indiana – I-465. “Investigators say open alcohol containers were found in the Pontiac.”

]]>

Here are links to all of these incidents. Remember we’ve been covering wrong-way driving cases for several years so if you want more information due to a relative or friend who died because of a wrong-way driver give us a call we’d love to talk to you. And check out the top reasons for wrong-way collisions, how to recognize when a wrong-way driver may be coming and how to avoid being struck by a wrong-way driver. It’s at the bottom of this page.

Investigators: Wrong-Way Driver Caused Fatal H-2 Crash
KITV Honolulu
According to traffic investigators, one driver is dead and two others injured after a wrong-way driver caused a three-car crash on the H-2 freeway Saturday morning. Investigators said the crash occurred around 2:20 am Saturday on the H-2 freeway ...

Police Log: Wrong Way Driver Charged With DUI
Patch.com
By Carl Critz Gwendoline Woods, 62, of 2 Colony Rd. in Charlestown was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of .15 percent or greater on Wednesday, November 16 around 8:50 pm after a traffic stop on Route 1. ...

Wrong way driver causes fatal crash on H-2 Freeway
KHON2
A 40 year-old Wahiawa man was killed when he was hit head-on by a wrong way driver on the H-2 Freeway Saturday morning. It happened at 2:20 am on the north-bound direction near Ka Uka Blvd. Police say a 21 year-old man from Waianae, driving a 1992 ...

DORAVILLE: Wrong-way driver had multiple DUI arrests
WXIA-TV
DORAVILLE, GA -- 11Alive News has learned that man accused of killing a Doraville police detective while allegedly driving drunk and in the wrong direction on Interstate 20 has had several prior arrests, including two drunk driving charges. ...

Wrong-way driver was four times legal limit
Today's TMJ4
By The WTMJ News Team PEWAUKEE - The driver in a double fatal wrong-way crash in Waukesha County was reportedly far over the legal limit. Dawn Ewing crashed head-on into a car after driving about 8 miles the wrong way in the eastbound lanes on I-94 ...

Driver was DUI in wrong-way I-20 crash that killed Doraville cop, police say
Atlanta Journal Constitution
By Mike Morris and David Ibata A 39-year-old Dunwoody man was charged Tuesday with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence in a wrong-way crash that killed a police detective on I-20 in DeKalb County, authorities said. ...

Wrong-way driver arrested in Franklin burglaries
Daily Journal
Police responding to a report of a home break-in south of Franklin found the suspect, who was driving the wrong way in the southbound lanes of US 31. In his car, they found a laptop computer and a breast pump that had been taken from the home. ...

Wrong-way driver killed, three hurt in Chaska
Pioneer Press
Martin Ballines Rios, 40, was driving south in the northbound lane of Audobon Road at Wildflower Lane just before 7:30 pm when he struck a pickup truck driving north. The truck's driver and two passengers, all from Victoria, Minn., were treated at ...

Wrong-way driver causes deadly crash on interstate
Fox 59
The driver of the Pontiac died at the scene. His identity has not been release. His passenger and three passengers in the SUV were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators say open alcohol containers were found in the ...

Wrong Way Driver Almost Hits Police Cruiser
KRIS Corpus Christi News
CORPUS CHRISTI - For the second night in a row a suspected drunk driver has been arrested for going the wrong way on city streets. A Corpus Christi police officer had to swerve to get out of the way of a Chevy Silverado heading the wrong way on ...

Tests Show Wrong-Way Driver In Fatal Was Drunk - Milwaukee ...
WAUKESHA, Wis. -- Toxicology shows a wrong-way driver in fatal crash was legally drunk. Friday, November 18, 2011.

Wrong-way driver was four times legal limit - 620 WTMJ ...
The driver in a double fatal wrong-way crash in Waukesha County was reportedly far over the legal limit.

Doraville Officer Killed In Wrong Way Crash « CBS Atlanta
By psati
Investigators say a Doraville police officer on his way to work, was killed early Monday, when a wrong way driver slammed into his car on I-20, in a pre dawn crash in DeKalb County.

DORAVILLE: Wrong-way driver had multiple DUI arrests | 11alive.com
DORAVILLE, GA -- 11Alive News has learned that man accused of killing a Doraville police detective while allegedly driving drunk and in the wrong direction on ...

Georgia Police Officer Killed by Wrong-Way Driver - Officer.com
Georgia Police Officer Killed by Wrong-Way Driver. Video. Created: November 14 , 2011. Recommend · Twitter · Share · Print ...

Wrong Way Driver Almost Hits Police Cruiser | Corpus Christi, TX ...
CORPUS CHRISTI - For the second night in a row a suspected drunk driver has been arrested for going the wrong way on city streets.

YouTube wrong way crash driver Shazida Begum banned
BBC News
A woman who admitted driving the wrong way down the slip road of a busy dual carriageway and crashing into two lorries has been fined and banned. The crashes happened in March on the A90 Aberdeen to Stonehaven road. Begum, 21, was fined £700 and banned ...

FOX6 Investigation: What do all nine wrong way driving incidents have in common?
FOX6Now.com Milwaukee
There have been several wrong-way drivers on Milwaukee's freeways, who eventually end up involved in crashes. The latest involved Dawn Ewing, who drove the wrong way for at least seven miles, before hitting the vehicle driven by father of three, ...

Wrong-way driver arrested in Franklin burglaries
Daily Journal
Police responding to a report of a home break-in south of Franklin found the suspect, who wasdriving the wrong way in the southbound lanes of US 31. In his car, they found a laptop computer and a breast pump that had been taken from the home. ...

Wrong-way driver on Hwy. 61 causes accident
Winona Daily News
An intoxicated underage Winona woman drove the wrong way on US Hwy. 61 Friday night, causing one crash that injured a woman before a second driver followed her and turned her in, according to the Minnesota State Patrol and Winona County Sheriff's ...

Wrong-way driver fleeing police goes to HPD parking lot
Houston Chronicle
Clark said York entered the 610 Loop in the Bellaire area going the wrong way and drove to US 290. Oncoming motorists had to maneuver out of his path. At times the chase reached speeds up to about 80 mph. York exited the freeway at Tidwell, driving the ...

SAPD arrests wrong-way driver on suspicion of DWI
KENS 5 TV
by Stacia Willson / KENS 5 A wrong-way driver sent police officers on a short chase overnight, and as it turns out, the suspect may have been intoxicated. San Antonio police received reports about an erratic driver at about 1:45 am Monday. ...

New technologies could prevent wrong-way drivers
Today's TMJ4
Drivers take a wrong turn and end up driving the wrong-way on the highway. The most recent case ended with two people killed. Wrong-way sensors have worked in North Texas. "We had a 44% percent reduction in wrong-way crashes and a 100% reduction in ...

Fugitive wanted in wrong-way fatal crash that killed Queens bar owner George ...
New York Daily News
He was sought for being the wrong-way driver who slammed his girlfriend's car into a livery cab in Queens last month, killing the livery passenger, Maspeth bar owner George Gibbons. Authorities pinched a fugitive in Connecticut Tuesday who was wanted ...

Man driving wrong way on SPID suspected of drunken driving, Corpus Christi ...
Corpus Christi Caller Times
An off-duty police technician reported a blue 1997 Pontiac Firebird going the wrong way on the highway near the Laguna Shores Drive exit, according to a news release. Police stopped the driver, who appeared intoxicated. He failed a field sobriety test, ...

Police: Drunk wrong-way driver kills man | Local & Regional News ...
One person is dead and at least one person is injured after an accident Tuesday night on I-105 in Eugene.
KVAL 13 - Local & Regional News...

SAPD arrests wrong-way driver on suspicion of DWI | kens5.com ...
A wrong-way driver sent police officers on a short chase overnight, and as it turns out, the suspect may have been intoxicated.

Wrong-way driver faces DUI charges - WFSB Channel 3
A man from Windsor is facing DUI charges after a wrong-way crash Wednesday night on I-84 in Hartford.

Wrong-way driver on Hwy. 61 causes accident
An intoxicated underage Winona woman drove the wrong way on U.S. Hwy. 61 Friday night, causing one crash that injured a woman before a second driver ...

Wrong-way driver in deadly crash had prior DUI arrest | 11alive.com
Wrong-way driver in deadly crash had prior DUI arrest. 5:28 PM, Nov 15, 2011 | comments. Gene Jones has been charged with DUI in the death of a Det. Shane ...

Wrong-way Drivers on the interstate highway

About wrong-way drivers

Wrong way drivers present an obvious danger to all motorists on our highways.

The most recent available crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates wrong way drivers are involved in 1.5 percent of all fatal crashes.

Drivers who travel the wrong way on one way highways generally fall into one of eight different categories:

Intoxicated driver
Older drivers who easily get confused
Purposeful acts including attempts to commit suicide and criminals attempting to elude the police
Inattentive drivers who mistake an off-ramp for an on-ramp
Mental defect or disease
Prescription drug intoxication
Inexperience
GPS providing incorrect, inaccurate or confusing information

Safety tips and information related to wrong way driver situations:

Watch far ahead for signs of a possible wrong way driver, looking for signs similar to pending problems or developing emergency situations such as other traffic braking or swerving to avoid something, or the obvious - headlights coming in the opposite direction.
Caution against driving long periods in the left lane on freeways, especially on curves and over a hill or any rise in the road where you aren’t able to clearly see ahead.
Be aware that wrong way drivers usually drive in the passing lane believing they are actually on a two-lane highway.
The most common types of wrong way crashes are head-on or sideswipe crashes.

What should you do if you see a wrong-way driver?

Get to the shoulder and stop.
If you can’t get to the shoulder, slow down and attempt to safely stop your vehicle by pulling to the right.
Sound your horn.
Put on your lights and flash the high beams.
Call 9-1-1.
Before getting in the car wear your seat belts.
Drive in the right hand lane of travel on the Interstate.
When passing or coming to the crest of a hill look ahead for a wrong-way driver making sure the lane is clear.
Assume when in the left hand lane of a divided highway that you may come upon a wrong-way driver.
When driving on a divided highway stay vigilant and pay attention to what is ahead of you. Avoid allowing distractions to take your attention off the road ahead.

How can drivers avoid wrong-way driving?

Don’t drive drunk.
When coming to a divided highway come to a complete stop, look at and read the signs, making sure you know which way to go.
Don’t allow vehicles to the rear to rush you.
Stay off the telephone when driving.
Don’t allow distractions to interfere with being vigilant about your driving.
If you’re a young driver, don’t drive when the other passengers are a distraction.
If you’re an elderly driver, get evaluated once a year to see if your senses and skill level allow you to safely drive. Don’t be so stubborn about giving up your driver’s license that you ignore the signs of perception difficulties. Invest in and use a GPS.
Pay particular attention when driving north for southbound wrong-way drivers. For whatever reason there were more of these direction wrong-way drivers than any other.
Pay particular attention when driving after midnight and 2:30 a.m.

What else needs to happen to reduce wrong-way collisions?

States could identify the locations of repeated wrong-way entry points. Those points could be redesigned including tire puncture equipment such as we see in use at most parking ramps.
The Court’s must get very tough on drunk drivers and those who cause collisions from being on cell phones (talking or texting); more than they already have been.
The DOT should begin an education campaign for drivers to recognize and avoid wrong-way drivers.
The DOT should begin an education campaign to instruct drivers what to do when a wrong-way driver approaches.
States should further study wrong-way avoidance road and sign designs.
State DOT’s should consider a different middle line design with hash marks bent in the direction of travel and against the opposing direction.
Juries in civil actions need to send a clear message to offenders with large punitive damage awards.
The DOT needs to evaluate older drivers annually for visual and mental awareness; taking away driving privileges where there is risk.
Lawyers need to plead punitive damages in wrong-way collisions.
Victims need to be educated on what to do when they are involved in a wrong-way collision.
Witnesses of wrong-way collisions need to get involved with identifying themselves to police officers investigating a wrong-way collision. Those witnesses may have very valuable information to helping identify the entry points, causes and preventive measures.
DOT accident forms need to be amended to allow the collection of information to identify characteristics associated with causing wrong-way entry points, times when wrong-way collisions are most likely to occur and driver characteristics of those likely to drive the wrong-way. Children and friends of older drivers need to get involved with identifying those likely wrong-way drivers.
States should consider a radio system that would allow public service interruptions, like what is done on television when a weather emergency is eminent. It wouldn’t be perfect (not all radios are on) but something is perhaps better than nothing.

Steve Lombardi, 1300 37^th Street, Suite 6, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Tel: 515-222-1110 Fax: 515-222-0718 Email: sdlombardi@aol.com

Traffic Violation Cameras intrusive, but reliable witnesses

Steve Lombardi — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:00:55 -0600

Here is a trial tip: The lawyer with an intersection collision case should get a copy of the video from the intersection traffic camera. Which means we have to learn where these cameras are located. As for clients who are in an intersection collision it’s better to get a lawyer onboard sooner rather than later. This is also a reason for the lawyers to get out to visit the accident scene. You just never know where a camera may be recording the events. The camera may be on a nearby building used as a security camera.

For a list of locations see below.

Traffic Camera Proves A Reliable Witness In Crashes, AP provided by KCCI-Channel 8

Iowa Department of Transportation – Des Moines Area Traffic Speedmap and Cameras Link
Iowa Traffic Webcams from Leonards Worlds
Traffic Cameras by State – USA Russia Style link.
Iowa Webcams link.
Des Moines area links.
Iowa Red Light Cameras Map link.

Wrong-way Interstate Accidents for November 14, 2011

Steve Lombardi — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:00:10 -0600

More wrong-way interstate highway accidents to report. This wrong-way events described in this post have mostly alcohol related causes although three other causes including an apparent suicide, mental illness and an elderly driver are in the mix. Still the predominant cause remains driving while impaired by alcohol.

In this issue those States with wrong-way drivers include: Wisconsin on I-94 (blood tests given to driver, no official condition assessment – video from TMJ-4); Georgia on I-85 (driver charged with DUI); Canada, Burlington in Queen Elizabeth Way (elderly driver); Florida on U.S. 17 (driver charged with driving under the influence and manslaughter); Oregon on Southwest Highland Avenue (Driver “was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on several charges, including felony elude, reckless driving, DUII, unlawful entry into and use of a motor vehicle, misdemeanor driving with a suspended license, and first-degree theft.” ); Wisconsin on I-94; Illinois on I-88 (cause may be suicide - The day of the crash, police said, witnesses reported seeing Howe throw handfuls of cash from his red 2006 Porsche just before he drove through an emergency vehicle turnaround and headed east in the westbound lanes of Interstate 88 near the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Records indicate that Howe had a history of financial problems and arrests for DUI, one of which occurred in February. His attorney, John Curnyn, also has said Howe suffered from Huntington’s disease, a progressive brain disorder that the lawyer said may have impacted his client’s judgment and caused depression.) Washington, Spokane on Southeast Boulevard (Cause appears unknown but not alcohol related - Police say a Honda CRV was speeding while driving against traffic on Southeast Blvd. Thursday afternoon. The driver, 40, collided with the FedEx truck near 29^th.- Police say alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash.); California on I-90 (Cause allegedly described as follows: [Driver] complied, shouting that he didn't want to die, it said. "The driver's muscle tone was extremely rigid. His eyes were bloodshot. His breath was halitosis. Large beads of sweat were standing out on his head. His breathing was very fast. There was a line of dried saliva around his mouth. His ‘Denver Broncos' sweater was soaked with sweat. He kept repeating that he had not done anything to anyone and he did not want to die," according to a report from Novak included in the affidavit. Shepherd told Novak he'd been driving the wrong way because someone was after him - but said he didn't know who, the report said. "Mr. Shepherd made several mentions of someone slipping him something in a recent drink," the report said.); Texas on I-84. (Cause described as follows: “[Driver] was not wearing a seatbelt and alcohol is thought to be a factor, the release said. The crash is under investigation.“; and Boise, Idaho on I-84. (Cause alleged to be related to alcohol.)

]]>Wrong-way driver kills self, man on way to work in head-on crash
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Some squad cars were in futile pursuit on the other side of the concrete freeway divider, with others coming from the west to head off the wrong-way driver. St. Germaine, 41, lived in Watertown with his wife, Nicole, and three young daughters. ...

Wrong way driver killed on QEW
Hamilton Spectator
Head on One man died and three others were injured in a wrong way crash on the QEW in Burlington Monday night. BURLINGTON An elderly man is dead after driving his car the wrong wayinto oncoming traffic on the Queen Elizabeth Way Monday night. ...

Wrong-way driver kills 13-year-old boy in Hardee County
Tbo.com
By TBO.com A 13-year-old boy died and seven people were injured after a driver heading the wrong way crashed into a van Saturday night in Hardee County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Enemias Roblero Gonzalez was driving the wrong way on US ...

Wrong Way Driver on I85 Crashes into Trucks
InjuryBoard.com
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, as the woman drove along the wrong way on the highway, she clipped a tractor-trailer and then hit a second 18 wheeler and a Chevrolet van. Thewrong-way driver was ejected from her Ford Explorer and was ...

Drunk Wrong-Way Driver Jailed After Redmond Chase
KTVZ
A La Pine man who allegedly was driving drunk -- in a stolen car -- the wrong way on a one-way Redmond street early Sunday refused to pull over and led police on a 12-mile pursuit at up to 70 mph. “Spike strips” deflated the car's tires, but the driver ...

Husband of wrong-way driver speaks
Today's TMJ4
Both families want to know what could have led Dawn Ewing to drive at least 8 miles the wrong wayearly Saturday morning. It's a decision that's left her family puzzled, and incomplete. "She's going to be missed by a lot of people. She was funny. ...

Police Blotter: Possession, Driving the Wrong Way and Unlocked Vehicle Burglarized
Patch.com
He was charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving the wrong way. His bail was $3000. Maxwell Martin Miller, 21, of the 900 block of South Whispering Hills Drive, was arrested at 2:03 am in the 100 block of South Main ...

Wrong way driver on South Hill slams head on into FedEx truck
Northwest Cable News
KREM 2 Crews are reporting major backups in the area Police say the driver was heading north on Southeast towards 29ths in the wrong lane. A witness says the car was driving at excess speeds. The Honda CRV slammed head on into the FedEx truck. ...

Officials try to prevent wrong-way drivers
Newsradio 620
By Erik Bilstad WAUKESHA - Every once and awhile we hear a story about a wrong-way driver on the interstate. In some cases, like the incident in Waukesha County last weekend, the crash turned deadly. The Dept. of Transportation has measures in place to ...

Trucker faces felonies for driving wrong way on Interstate 90
The Missoulian
Shepherd told Novak he'd been driving the wrong way because someone was after him - but said he didn't know who, the report said. "Mr. Shepherd made several mentions of someone slipping him something in a recent drink," the report said. ...

Officers try to stop wrong-way driver before crash | The Associated ...
By The Associated Press
At least four squad cars tried in vain to stop a driver headed the wrong way on a Wisconsin interstate before her vehicle struck another head-on, killing both drivers.

Two people are dead after a wrong-way driver crashes into another ...
A wrong way driver is blamed for a deadly crash on I-94 in Waukesha County.

Wrong-way driver injured in early morning crash on I-84 | Boise ...
An Aberdeen man was injured in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 84 near the Cloverdale overpass early Sunday morning.Aaron Schritter, 20, of Aberdeen was driving the wrong way in the westbound lanes before the crash reported at 4:35 ...

2 killed in wrong-way crash on I-94 in Wisconsin
Both drivers died at the scene. The wrong-way driver was a 44-year-old Pewaukee woman. Her name has not been released. The other was 41-year-old Brian St. Germaine of Watertown, a husband and father of three. His wife says he was ...

2 Die In Wrong-Way Crash In Pewaukee - Milwaukee News Story ...
MILWAUKEE -- A wrong-way driver caused a deadly crash in Waukesha County early Saturday morning, according to authorities. Saturday, November 5, 2011.

Wrong-way driver still in critical condition after South Hill wreck ...
Police say a Honda CRV was speeding while driving against traffic on Southeast Blvd. Thursday afternoon. The driver, San Luong, 40, collided with the FedEx ...

Wrong-way driver causes interstate pile up | Online Athens
OnlineAthens.com is the daily online edition of The Athens (GA) Banner-Herald.

Wrong way driver who caused fatal I-94 crash identified | CBS 58 ...
The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department has released the name of the wrong way driver who caused a crash killing herself and another driver.

Wrong way driver injured after crash on I-84 | KTVB.COM Boise
BOISE -- One person was injured after a morning crash on Interstate 84 Sunday. It happened at approximately 4:35 a.m., near the Cloverdale overpass.

Officers try to stop wrong-way driver before crash on I-94 in Delafield ...
DELAFIELD — At least four squad cars tried in vain to stop a driver headed the wrong way on a Wisconsin interstate Saturday before her vehicle struck another ...

Wrong-way Interstate Accident Reports for October 22, 2011

Steve Lombardi — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:30:57 -0600

I've been covering wrong-way interstate highway accidents for several years now. Today's post is a reminder of the causes, prevention measures you can take and how to recognize when you may be heading towards a driver going the wrong-way on the interstate highways in your state.

About wrong-way drivers

Wrong way drivers present an obvious danger to all motorists on our highways.

The most recent available crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates wrong way drivers are involved in 1.5 percent of all fatal crashes.

Drivers who travel the wrong way on one way highways generally fall into one of eight different categories:

Intoxicated driver
Older drivers who easily get confused
Purposeful acts including attempts to commit suicide and criminals attempting to elude the police
Inattentive drivers who mistake an off-ramp for an on-ramp
Mental defect or disease
Prescription drug intoxication
Inexperience
GPS providing incorrect, inaccurate or confusing information

Safety tips and information related to wrong way driver situations:

Watch far ahead for signs of a possible wrong way driver, looking for signs similar to pending problems or developing emergency situations such as other traffic braking or swerving to avoid something, or the obvious - headlights coming in the opposite direction.
Caution against driving long periods in the left lane on freeways, especially on curves and over a hill or any rise in the road where you aren’t able to clearly see ahead.
Be aware that wrong way drivers usually drive in the passing lane believing they are actually on a two-lane highway.
The most common types of wrong way crashes are head-on or sideswipe crashes.

What should you do if you see a wrong-way driver?

Get to the shoulder and stop.
If you can’t get to the shoulder, slow down and attempt to safely stop your vehicle by pulling to the right.
Sound your horn.
Put on your lights and flash the high beams.
Call 9-1-1.
Before getting in the car wear your seat belts.
Drive in the right hand lane of travel on the Interstate.
When passing or coming to the crest of a hill look ahead for a wrong-way driver making sure the lane is clear.
Assume when in the left hand lane of a divided highway that you may come upon a wrong-way driver.
When driving on a divided highway stay vigilant and pay attention to what is ahead of you. Avoid allowing distractions to take your attention off the road ahead.

How can drivers avoid wrong-way driving?

Don’t drive drunk.
When coming to a divided highway come to a complete stop, look at and read the signs, making sure you know which way to go.
Don’t allow vehicles to the rear to rush you.
Stay off the telephone when driving.
Don’t allow distractions to interfere with being vigilant about your driving.
If you’re a young driver, don’t drive when the other passengers are a distraction.
If you’re an elderly driver, get evaluated once a year to see if your senses and skill level allow you to safely drive. Don’t be so stubborn about giving up your driver’s license that you ignore the signs of perception difficulties. Invest in and use a GPS.
Pay particular attention when driving north for southbound wrong-way drivers. For whatever reason there were more of these direction wrong-way drivers than any other.
Pay particular attention when driving after midnight and 2:30 a.m.

What else needs to happen to reduce wrong-way collisions?

States could identify the locations of repeated wrong-way entry points. Those points could be redesigned including tire puncture equipment such as we see in use at most parking ramps.
The Court’s must get very tough on drunk drivers and those who cause collisions from being on cell phones (talking or texting); more than they already have been.
The DOT should begin an education campaign for drivers to recognize and avoid wrong-way drivers.
The DOT should begin an education campaign to instruct drivers what to do when a wrong-way driver approaches.
States should further study wrong-way avoidance road and sign designs.
State DOT’s should consider a different middle line design with hash marks bent in the direction of travel and against the opposing direction.
Juries in civil actions need to send a clear message to offenders with large punitive damage awards.
The DOT needs to evaluate older drivers annually for visual and mental awareness; taking away driving privileges where there is risk.
Lawyers need to plead punitive damages in wrong-way collisions.
Victims need to be educated on what to do when they are involved in a wrong-way collision.
Witnesses of wrong-way collisions need to get involved with identifying themselves to police officers investigating a wrong-way collision. Those witnesses may have very valuable information to helping identify the entry points, causes and preventive measures.
DOT accident forms need to be amended to allow the collection of information to identify characteristics associated with causing wrong-way entry points, times when wrong-way collisions are most likely to occur and driver characteristics of those likely to drive the wrong-way. Children and friends of older drivers need to get involved with identifying those likely wrong-way drivers.
States should consider a radio system that would allow public service interruptions, like what is done on television when a weather emergency is eminent. It wouldn’t be perfect (not all radios are on) but something is perhaps better than nothing.

]]>Arizona testing new safeguards against wrong-way drivers
AZ Central.com
Wrong-way drivers have become an increasing problem in Arizona and nationwide over the past few years. In 2009, the latest year with available data, 1772 people in the United States, including 23 in Arizona, died in crashes in which a driver entered a ...

Wrong way driver on I-94 gets four years in prison
Newsradio 620
This after Julian-Jorge was convicted of driving drunk the wrong way on I-43 in April and then smashed head on into an SUV. His passenger barely survived. The driver of the SUV luckily only suffered minor injuries. "This ranks up there…short of ...

Wrong-way driver causes late-night wreck on Interstate 84
OregonLive.com
By Noelle Crombie, The Oregonian Portland police say an 81-year-old woman drove the wrong way on Interstate 84 about midnight Tuesday, slamming head-on into an oncoming car. Police this morning say both drivers and one passenger escaped injury. ...

I-270 Wrong-Way Driver Caught on Town and Country Dash Cam
Patch.com
A Town and Country Police officer reportedly captures a wrong-way driver heading straight for him on his dash cam. By Gabrielle Biondo The Town and Country Police Department said the photo included in this article shows a wrong-way driver on ...

Vehicle driving wrong way on busy street
Chatham Daily News
The driver was taken to hospital accompanied by the investigating officer. By Ellwood Shreve Chatham-Kent police are investigating a bizarre incident in Chatham involving a driver who was seen by several people driving the wrong way on St. Clair Street ...

Police Log: Wrong-Way Driver Cited for OUI; Theft Spree Hits Dedham
Patch.com
At 1:40 am, police pulled over Glenna Saulnier, 51 of Bellingham, as she drove the wrong-way on Providence Highway. Officers stated she had slurred speech and admitted to having a few rum and Coke cocktails at a party before driving. ...

Fatal Wrong-Way Accident on the Long Island Expressway
NBC New York
Police say a livery cab was struck by a car driving the wrong way on the Long Island Expressway early Saturday morning, fatally injuring the cab's passenger. Police say a livery cab was struck by a car driving in the wrong lane on the Long Island ...

Cleveland: Wrong-way driver crashes at Dead Man's Curve
WKYC-TV
CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Police received several eyewitness accounts from drivers that a car was headed west in the eastbound lanes on the Shoreway. The car passed East 72nd Street, then East 55th Street, where it finally hit two other cars at Dead Man's ...

Alleged Drunk Driver Going Wrong Way Almost Hit Braintree Police Car
Patch.com
By Joseph Markman Just before 3:30 am last Friday, a Braintree police detective was driving south on Quincy Avenue when a vehicle coming the other way veered into his lane, forcing him to pull over to the curb to avoid a collision. ...

Aurora police blotter: Driving wrong way on one-way street and more
TribLocal
A 25-year-old Elgin man was charged with driving the wrong way on a one-way street and driving on a suspended/revoked license following an arrest at 7:35 pm on Oct. 2 near the intersection of North Broadway and East New York Street. ...

Police: Elderly wrong-way driver causes head-on crash on I-84 ...
Police said they got a call just before midnight Tuesday about a wrong-way driver on I-84 heading eastbound. The driver, identified as Beverly Jeanne Powers, ...

Wrong-way I-84 driver causes head-on collision
Re: Wrong-way I-84 driver causes head-on collision. She obvioously doesn't need to be driving and needs to have her license taken away asap.wonder when ...

Wrong-way driver hurt in crash, charged in connection with DUI
Belleville News Democrat
BY MARIA BARAN - News-Democrat A woman was charged with driving under the influence after allegedly driving the wrong-way on Interstate 55-70 for more than four miles and crashing head-on into another car Friday night west of Collinsville, police said. ...

Wrong-way Driver Indicted for Fatal Crash
Patch.com
Police said she had been driving her vehicle in the wrong direction of the Thruway for at least 6.4 miles in New York City and Westchester County. Gomez was alone in her car. There was a driver and a front-seat passenger, Reginald Lee, ...

Man mowed down after confronting wrong-way driver
The Age
Earlier, a 39-year-old man was deliberately run down after he confronted a driver for travelling the wrong way down a one-way street. Police said the man suffered a broken leg when the four-wheel-drive accelerated at him. Police say the two crashes are ...

Blotter: Wrong-Way Driver Strikes Child
Patch.com
3:06pm Police received a report from Hickory Place that a truck driving the wrong way down a one way street hit a child. The child was left with minor injuries. 4:11am Employees at Walgreens on El Camino Real called police reporting that a man had gone ...

Police: Wrong-way driver breaks man's jaw while attempting to escape in taxi ...
KOMO News
A man attempted to commandeer a taxi and broke the jaw of a witness while running away from the scene of an accident he caused by driving the wrong way down Union Street early this morning, according to the Seattle Police Department. ...

Police: Man Driving Wrong Way On I-287 Killed
Patch.com
By Jessica Mazzola A Bloomingdale man died early Saturday morning after driving the wrong way in the southbound lane of I-287 in Mahwah, Mahwah Lt. Phillip Tangel said. Jonathan Andriac, 28, was driving northbound in the southbound lane at about 2 am ...

Wrong way driver charged
MyFoxOrlando.com
He is also charged with leaving the scene involving a death, vehicular homicide and driving the wrong way on a roadway. Louchon Burnard Jackson, 45, and his son also named Louchon were in the other car. That vehicle spun out and struck a palm tree on ...

Banned car thief jailed for driving at 100mph the wrong way down A64
Yorkshire Post
A JUDGE has attacked sentencing guidelines after jailing a car thief who drove the wrong way down a dual carriageway in York at more than 100mph before causing a head-on crash. James Ramsden, 25, was already banned from driving when he sped through ...

Story behind cop's liquor-fogged, wrong-way ride
MiamiHerald.com
If getting hit by a wrong-way driver wasn't shocking enough, what happened next was even more jarring. An occupant of the wrong-way car, a 2006 Lexus 250 IS, didn't check if they were OK, didn't offer assistance, and didn't call 911. ...

JPD Investigates B&E And Arrests Wrong Way Driver
WKHM
The investigation is continuing. Also on Thursday, officers stopped a motorist who was traveling in the wrong direction on Louis Glick. The driver was taken into custody and is now facing charges of operating while intoxicated, the driver had a BAC of ...

Wrong-way driver killed in crash on I-75 near Findlay, savidge ...
Local News: Wrong-way driver killed in crash on I-75 near Findlay, savidge, findlay, carroll, crash, trailer, interstate, tractor, hospital, fire, way.

Wrong-way Interstate Accident Reports for October 22, 2011

Wrong-way driver charged with DWI
Buffalo News
By Maki Becker A 51-year-old Town of Wales man was charged early today with driving while intoxicated after he drove the wrong way on the Aurora Expressway, the Erie County Sheriff's office said. Deputies stopped a 1992 Chevrolet on Olean Road in the ...

Police: Wrong-way driver involved in Tuesday crash had no valid license
Orlando Sentinel
By Anika Myers Palm, Orlando Sentinel AnOrlando man accused of driving the wrong way on a major street and stricking an oncoming vehicle Tuesday morning does not have a valid driver license, according to the Orlando Police Department. ...

Wrong-way driver on I-94 pleads guilty to 3rd drunken driving offense
AnnArbor.com
An Ann Arbor man who was arrested after driving the wrong way down Interstate 94 in Pittsfield Township while intoxicated pleaded guilty to his third drunken driving offense, according to court records. Scott Dean, 46, pleaded guilty this week to ...

Police Log: Wrong-Way Drivers, Road Rage
Patch.com
By Mary MacDonald Police responded to numerous problems on the roads, according to the overnight log, including reports of an elderly couple driving on the wrong side of Prospect Street, and that a car had hit a house on Depot Street. ...

Death of wrong-way driver in fatal I-88 crash ruled a suicide
Suburban Life Publications
By Anonymous The death of the man who allegedly drove the wrong way on I-88, causing an accident that killed two Elmhurst residents Aug. 6, has been ruled a suicide. William A. Howe, 43, of Naperville, was pronounced dead at 4:29 pm Friday at Loyola ...

Wrong way driver causes crash
MyFoxOrlando.com
(WOFL FOX 35) - Orlando Police are investigating an overnight crash where the driver was going the wrong way on the road. Officials say it happened just after 1:00 am Tuesday when a driver was heading the wrong way on LB McLeod and John Young Parkway ...

APD: Driver who hit officer was over legal limit
The Seattle Times
Fulling was driving a rental sedan north on the southbound side of the highway, police said. Hughes was responding to reports about the wrong-way driver when the crash occurred. Hughes tried to veer out of the way, but Fulling's sedan hit the cruiser ...

FHP: Wrong way drunk driver kills motorist on SR 528
Orlando Sentinel
By Arelis R. Hernández, Orlando Sentinel An Orlando man is dead after he was struck by a drunk driver traveling the wrong way on State Road 528 Saturday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Louchon Burnard Jackson, 45, of Orlando was ...

Burr Ridge Police Ticket Driver for DUI, Driving Wrong Way on Road
Patch.com
By Ken Manson A 37-year-old Burbank man was ticketed by Burr Ridge police for driving under the influence of alcohol at Route 83 and 91 st St at about 2:21 am Sept. 24. Boguslaw Pawlikowski of 8223 S. Meade also was ticketed for driving the wrong way ...

2 injured in wrong-way wreck on I-85 in DeKalb
Atlanta Journal Constitution
By Joel Provano Two people were seriously injured early Thursday when a wrong-way driver collided head-on with a car on I-85 in DeKalb County. DeKalb police dispatchers received numerous calls starting around 2 am of a car driving north in the ...

APD: Driver who hit officer was over legal limit - seattlepi.com
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A Washington state man charged in a wrong-way collision in Alaska that severely injured an Anchorage police officer was driving with a blood-alcohol content of almost three times the legal limit, according to the ...

Wrong way driver crash on I-85 leaves one critical - CBS Atlanta 46
At least one person is in critical condition after a crash involving a wrong way driver on I-85 South at Clairmont Road in DeKalb County.

Wrong-way driver on I-94 pleads guilty to 3rd drunken driving offense
An Ann Arbor man who was arrested after driving the wrong way down Interstate 94 in Pittsfield Township while intoxicated pleaded guilty to his third drunken ...

Wrong-way driver on U.S. 131 causes crashes, witnesses report ...
A wrong-way driver has caused multiple crashes on southbound U.S. 131 around noon, dispatch reports say.

Wrong Way Driver - FOX 17
A wrong-way driver caused some hair-raising moments on southbound US-131 Monday, but police managed to pull the driver over.

Wrong-way driver arrested after hitting motorcyclist in Dallas | wfaa ...
A driver is under investigation for driving under intoxication after an overnight crash near Fair Park in Dallas.

Recent Iowa Cases of Interest

Steve Lombardi — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:00:54 -0600

What’s going on in Iowa courts? That depends on what you read and who you talk with. There are many different cases of interest from the Heartland. There is one I just couldn’t help but report about.

High speed chase in Urbandale following a Medicap Pharmacy burglary call. This reminds me of the case involving the burglar who stole the erectile dysfunction drugs. The APB was for a hardened criminal. Which brings us right on to our next criminal case, one for assault.

A better way to get men to ask you out than joining eHarmony, Match.com or any of the other dating sites. This method beats having a Facebook page although the FB page might enhance the publicity you get. Woman Accused Of Hitting Boyfriend Who Refused Sex

A Johnson County judge declared a mistrial in a first-degree murder trial involving a 19-year-old man allegedly shooting a landlord. Whether the prosecutorial misconduct reaches the level where it triggers double jeopardy will be later determined. The mistrial declaration followed the showing a video tape that included references to excluded evidence. Oops!

Big brother has a very fat finger. Traffic cameras capture one license plate but the fat fingered operator entered another and sent a ticket to the wrong person. Poor Sarah Sharpnack has a car with the license plate 972YOB and the video shows a white pickup truck with license plate 972YDB. Hmmmm…. Garbage in garbage out.

]]>A West Des Moines dog saved his owner’s life by waking the homeowner up and then died.

The Des Moines City Council approved a $500,000 claim involving excessive force.

A 61-year-old man apparently fell off his deck and died of blunt force trauma. It would be interesting to know if the blunt force was to the head. There is no indication as to how high the deck was from the ground.

Twin 11-month old infants died from what is characterized as a bathtub incident. No details in the KCCI article. This is not an Iowa case; it was simply reported in Iowa from Wisconsin.

Facebook News Feed and Distracted Driving - Posting from the morgue.

Steve Lombardi — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:36:10 -0600

Something is very wrong out there when there are so many wrong-way interstate driving events along with digitally distracted drivers. Is it distracted driving, or drunken drivers, or a combination of the two? I’m writing today because of what one younger client told me this week.

We were discussing texting while driving and I’ve now been informed that texting is dead, finished, gone by the wayside, done, fini, finished, passé’. Yes sir they no longer are texting. Now they Facebook while driving. Using Facebook’s news feed the drivers are looking at pictures, reading text and posting to their FB pages while they attempt to drive.

Texting is so yesterday.

Distracted driving and dumb drivers are a lethal combination. Here are today’s articles on wrong-way drivers.

Please follow these directions to know how to post that you're on the way to the morgue:

http://youtu.be/dES9_n7ou8w

]]>CHP officers use cruiser to corral wrong-way driver in Menlo Park
San Jose Mercury News
By Jason Green California Highway Patrol officers used a squad car to pin a fleeing, wrong-way driver to the Highway 101 median in Menlo Park early Tuesday morning, a spokesman for the agency said. The pursuit began at about 2 am when a CHP unit ...

Wrong-way driver near Bemidji causes numerous crashes
Bemidji Pioneer
The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office received at least 15 911 calls reporting the wrong-way driver about four miles north of Bemidji and then progressing from Highway 89 to US Highway 2, going east in the westbound lanes. The driver ran numerous ...

Wrongway Driver Expected to Be Charged In Crash Injuring Chesterfield Pair
Patch.com
Patch Staff The 53-year-old driver of a Chevy Tahoe was expected to be charged in the Wildhorse Creek Road crash Friday that critically injured Chesterfield residents Janet Esrock, a Whitfield School teacher, and 16-year-old son Jonathan Esrock, ...

Wrong-way driver hits four vehicles; Ada woman critically injured
Crookston Daily Times
By Staff reports A four-vehicle accident involving a Solway man driving the wrong way near Bemidji left an Ada woman in critical condition Wednesday night, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Andrea Konoske Waagen, 27, and her passenger Delsie E. ...

Wrong way driver charged in fatal Billings crash
KPAX-TV
BILLINGS- A Laurel woman has been charged for driving the wrong way on Interstate-90, causing a collision that killed a Billings man. Kristy Ann Fox, 34, has been charged with two felonies, vehicular homicide while under the influence and criminal ...

Wrong way driver causes crash on I-275 in St. Petersburg
WTSP 10 News
St. Petersburg, Florida - Traffic was backed up along I-275 in south St. Petersburg after a driver drove the wrong way, driving north in the southbound lanes and causing several cars to collide. It happened on the Interstate at 54th Avenue South, ...

Speeding Wrong-Way Driver Crash Sends 4 To Hospital
WTAE Pittsburgh
PENN HILLS, Pa. -- Four people were hurt when two vehicles collided at the intersection of Coal Hollow and Frankstown Roads late Tuesday evening, according to Penn Hills Police. According to police, one vehicle was speeding, as well as driving in the ...

Wrong-way vehicle crash kills Azle woman, 21
Fort Worth Star Telegram
Police have not determined where the pickup driver started going north in the southbound lanes before the crash occurred near the Texas Motor Speedway near Texas 114. "We've determined that Fort Worth police got a call about a wrong-way driver," ...

Driver allegedly involved in drug deal smashes into County Jail
Los Angeles Times
Undercover narcotics officers saw the transaction about 4:30 pm and began following the man, who started to drive the wrong way through downtown, the Los Angeles Police Department said. The officers stopped their pursuit, police said, but the driver ...

Teen convicted in wrong-way crash that killed 2
Richmond Times Dispatch
With a learner's permit but no driver's license, 17-year-old Jose F. Martinez hopped into his father's GMC Yukon after drinking five to seven shots of tequila and took to the road at about 2:30 am to meet his girlfriend. Intoxicated, disoriented and ...

Wrong-Way Driver Causes Serious Accident Near Bemidji « CBS ...
By Alison Lorge
A wrong-way driver caused a crash on Highway 2 that sent several people to the hospital Thursday night.

Wrong-way driver Leonel Hernandez-Ocampo arrested after two ...
A husband and wife killed in a head-on crash Saturday night were on their way home after a day of attending two birthday parties, including that of the man's ...

Wrong way driver charged in fatal I-90 accident | KXLH.com | Helena ...
Kristy Ann Fox of Laurel has been charged for driving the wrong way on Interstate -90, causing a collision that killed a Billings man on August 21st.

Wrong-way Driver Causes Crash West of Bemidji; Ada, MN, Woman ...
NEAR BEMIDJI, MN (WDAZ-TV) - A wrong-way driver caused a crash on Highway 2 near bemidji Wednesday evening, critically injuring an Ada, MN, woman.

CHP officers use cruiser to corral wrong-way driver in Menlo Park ...
California Highway Patrol officers used a squad car to pin a fleeing, wrong-way driver to the Highway 101 median in Menlo Park early Tuesday morning, ...

VIDEO: Two Injured In South Fargo Crash
KFGO
READ MORE About 1300 Crystal workers have been locked-out of their jobs since ... READ MORE Iowa-based "Venuworks" has been associated with the building ...

Fatality Reports for Wrong-ways - Take Away the Bottle, Not the License.

Steve Lombardi — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 04:00:13 -0600

Again we have multiple reports across the United States of wrong-way drivers on the Interstate Highway system. Most are drunken drivers. That’s the number one cause. Suggesting new or different signs isn’t the answer to correcting the problem. After all drunks aren’t prone to read because they aren’t thinking clearly. Taking away the drunk’s license isn’t helping. Instead we probably need to think outside the box and take away their right to buy alcohol. That’s right; take away their keys to the bar, the liquor store and the grocery store. How? Make everyone’s driver’s license scannable with a bar code and when the drunk get’s a DUI or DWI restrict their license making it illegal to sell them booze. Will it work? Who knows, we won’t know until we try it. What we do know is that it’s not working with what we are doing and it’s all costing us an arm and a leg.

]]>CHP: Wrong-way driver arrested in Santa Cruz
San Jose Mercury News
A wrong-way driver is under arrest after the California Highway Patrol says he purposefully entered a highway into oncoming traffic, killing a 49-year-old woman. CHP officer Sarah Jackson told the Santa Cruz Sentinel that 29-year-old Eric Weers drove ...

Wrong Way Driver Diane Schuler Was Not a Bad Mother
The Stir (blog)
When we think of 2-year-old Erin Schuler and the other three children killed when Erin's mother Diane drove her minivan the wrong way on the Taconic State Parkway, our instinct is to want to immediately dismiss Diane Schuler as a horrible person and an ...

Woman Killed By Wrong-Way Driver On Hwy 17 IDed
KTVU San Francisco
A woman who was killed in a crash caused by a wrong-way driver on state Highway 17 in Santa Cruz on Monday was identified by the Santa Cruz County coroner's office as Ana Barajas. The crash happened at about 3:10 pm on southbound Highway 17 near where ...

Wrong-way driver collides with septic truck
WRAL.com
Fayetteville, NC — The driver of a pickup truck headed the wrong way on a Fayetteville street was seriously injured Friday when the pickup collided head-on with a tanker truck, police said. A 2010 Ford Ranger pickup went the wrong way on an exit ramp ...

911 tapes from accident with wrong way driver
WTKR Your NewsChannel 3
Mementos and memories of 18-year-old Jazmine Foreman mark the spot on Moses Grandy Trail where Dennis Shea drove his car the wrong way causing the crash that killed them both. "He's completely out of his mind and he has never been like this before," ...

Wrong-Way Driver Kills Herself, Rockingham Father
WFMY News 2
Tubbs and the Suburban driver, David Earl Spears, of Rockingham, died at the scene. Spears' wife and 13-year-old son, who were passengers in the Suburban, were treated and released from Central Carolina Hospital. Troopers said the wreck is still under ...

Avon officer struck by wrong-way driver on I-70
Vail Daily News
Ticer said the accident is one reason he encourages drivers on the interstate to stay in the right lane unless they're passing other vehicles, especially at night. “Wrong-way drivers are usually in the left lane on a four-lane highway, because it's the ...

Wrong-way driver causes collision that sends DART bus crashing into Salvation ...
Dallas Morning News (subscription)
By JON NIELSEN A wrong-way driver slammed into a DART bus Saturday morning sending it crashing through a North Oak Cliff business, DART officials said. Four people suffered injuries including the bus driver, its one passenger and the two people inside ...

Bayonne cops: Wrong-way driver charged with DWI
The Jersey Journal - NJ.com
By Toni-Ann Cerbo/The Jersey Journal A 37-year-old Edison man was charged with driving while intoxicated after traveling the wrong way on a one-way street late Saturday in Bayonne, police reports said. Robert English was arrested and charged with DWI, ...

Wrong-way driver causes crash that injures four
StarNewsOnline.com
WILMINGTON | A crash involving a wrong-way driver suspected of being under the influence shut down Carolina Beach Road for several hours early Sunday morning after colliding with a sport utility vehicle, according to the Wilmington Police Department. ...

Police identify wrong-way driver in weekend crash – Behind the ...
By Vicky Eckenrode
Police identify wrong-way driver in weekend crash. by Vicky Eckenrode. DWI charges are pending against Kenneth Wayne Starling, 28, who remains hospitalized today as well as the driver of another car involved in a wreck early Sunday ...

Wrong-Way Driver Officially Charged with Homicide - Santa Cruz, CA ...
Eric Weers, 29, of Soquel, is accused of intentionally driving the wrong way on Highway 17, killing a Santa Cruz woman.

Wrong-way driver causes crash that injures four | Wilmington, NC News
By Wilmington Editor
Wrong-way driver causes crash that injures four. More: continued here. This entry was posted on Monday, July 11th, 2011 at 10:07 am and is filed under Wilmington. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. ...

DPD Holds Benefit For Officer Killed By 'Wrong Way Driver' « CBS ...
By sstoddart
The Detroit Police Department is sponsoring a special benefit for a 16-year veteran of the force who was struck down and killed by a drunk driver.

Wrong-Way Driver Kills Herself, Rockingham Father | digtriad.com
Wrong-Way Driver Kills Herself, Rockingham Father. 4:52 PM, Jul 10, 2011 | comments. Courtesy: WRAL.com. Courtesy: WRAL.com ...

Avon officer struck by wrong-way driver on I-70 | VailDaily.com
AVON, Colorado — An Eagle woman was arrested just after 1 a.m. Thursday after allegedly causing a head-on crash with an Avon police officer on (read more)

Wrong-way driver identified in fatal Nash County crash
WRAL.com
Two troopers were working overnight to cover Nash and Edgecombe counties, and both were already responding to calls when the first call about the wrong-way driver came in, authorities said Wednesday. One trooper was three miles behind the wrong-way ...

'Stop sticks' thrown out on I-10 halt wrong-way driver
KENS 5 TV
by Brian New / KENS 5 In the past twelve months, dozens have been injured and two San Antonio police officers have been killed by wrong-way drivers. Friday morning, however; a wrong-way driver was stopped by the police department's latest tool before ...

Wrong-way driver on Highway 99 dies in wreck; 5 hurt
Modesto Bee
Sandra Cardenas, 32, of Fresno was driving about 65 mph when she spotted the wrong-way driver. Walton said she swerved left to try to avoid the crash, hitting the concrete median wall. Despite her evasive maneuver, Walton said the median wasn't wide ...

AP-IL--Wrong-Way Driver-Citations, 1st Ld-Writethru,0134
Chicago Tribune
AP An 82-year-old woman has been cited with six traffic violations after a weekend accident in which she injured two pedestrians while she was allegedly driving the wrong way on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. Chicago Police Officer John Mirabelli tells ...

Drunken driver reportedly went wrong way for 14 miles before fatal wreck
Kansas City Star
The victim told police the driver drove at him from one side of the highway to the other and appeared to be trying to hit him, police said. At least nine motorists called 911 to complain about a wrong-way driver on I-70 or I-435 Monday morning. ...

EXCLUSIVE: Wrong-way driver's daughter talks about father's recent behavior
NBC17.com
Gomez's Virginia driver's license was suspended. He had convictions for being drunk in public, speeding and driving with a revoked license. Gomez moved in with his mother in Raleigh earlier this year. Maria Vicenta told NBC 17 that she last saw her son ...

Wrong-way driver, family attacked in Falls
Niagara Gazette
NIAGARA FALLS — A 46-year-old man told police he and his family were attacked by several people after driving the wrong way down Eighth Street Saturday night. The man said he and his family had just finished watching the downtown fireworks display ...

Wrong-way driver injures members of borough family
Waterbury Republican American
WATERBURY -- A Naugatuck family survived a head-on collision with a wrong-way driver on Route 8 late Sunday night. Police say 59-year-old Jonathan Whitlock was driving his SUV north on the southbound portion of Route 8 near Exit 35 when he slammed into ...

Wrong Way Driver Nets DWI
North Country Gazette
MOREAU—A 35-year-old Glens Falls woman is in Albany Medical Center with multiple leg fractures after she collided with a newspaper delivery truck near Exit 17 of the Northway. State Police said Meghan Leary was traveling southbound in the northbound ...

Wrong-way drunk driver arrested on I-43
Today's TMJ4
"Bentley performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests. A Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) was administered at the scene with a result of .30 PAC." "This was the sixth wrong-way driver on the freeway system this year and the third in less than a ...

Wrong-way drunk driver arrested on I-43 - 620 WTMJ - Milwaukee's ...
A drunk driver traveling the wrong direction on I-43 southbound near Capitol Dr. was arrested early Thursday, the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department said.

Charges Filed In Wrong-Way I-435 Crash - Kansas City News Story ...
Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker files charges against an 18-year-old man in connection with a wrong-way crash that led to the deaths of a mother and her daughter on the Fourth of July. ... with a wrong-way crash that led to the deaths of a mother and her daughter on the Fourth of July. Authorities believe the driver of the SUV that caused the crash is Felix Solano-Gallardo, 18, of Kansas City, Kan., but they are still attempting to confirm his identity. ...

FAMILY: Survivors In Wrong-Way Fatal Had Not Been Drinking
The Highway Patrol said alcohol was a factor for both drivers in the crash that killed the wrong-way driver and a backseat passenger in the other car. ...

Wrong-way Drivers on the interstate highway

About wrong-way drivers

Wrong way drivers present an obvious danger to all motorists on our highways.

The most recent available crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates wrong way drivers are involved in 1.5 percent of all fatal crashes.

Drivers who travel the wrong way on one way highways generally fall into one of eight different categories:

Intoxicated driver
Older drivers who easily get confused
Purposeful acts including attempts to commit suicide and criminals attempting to elude the police
Inattentive drivers who mistake an off-ramp for an on-ramp
Mental defect or disease
Prescription drug intoxication
Inexperience
GPS providing incorrect, inaccurate or confusing information

Safety tips and information related to wrong way driver situations:

Watch far ahead for signs of a possible wrong way driver, looking for signs similar to pending problems or developing emergency situations such as other traffic braking or swerving to avoid something, or the obvious - headlights coming in the opposite direction.
Caution against driving long periods in the left lane on freeways, especially on curves and over a hill or any rise in the road where you aren’t able to clearly see ahead.
Be aware that wrong way drivers usually drive in the passing lane believing they are actually on a two-lane highway.
The most common types of wrong way crashes are head-on or sideswipe crashes.

What should you do if you see a wrong-way driver?

Get to the shoulder and stop.
If you can’t get to the shoulder, slow down and attempt to safely stop your vehicle by pulling to the right.
Sound your horn.
Put on your lights and flash the high beams.
Call 9-1-1.
Before getting in the car wear your seat belts.
Drive in the right hand lane of travel on the Interstate.
When passing or coming to the crest of a hill look ahead for a wrong-way driver making sure the lane is clear.
Assume when in the left hand lane of a divided highway that you may come upon a wrong-way driver.
When driving on a divided highway stay vigilant and pay attention to what is ahead of you. Avoid allowing distractions to take your attention off the road ahead.

How can drivers avoid wrong-way driving?

Don’t drive drunk.
When coming to a divided highway come to a complete stop, look at and read the signs, making sure you know which way to go.
Don’t allow vehicles to the rear to rush you.
Stay off the telephone when driving.
Don’t allow distractions to interfere with being vigilant about your driving.
If you’re a young driver, don’t drive when the other passengers are a distraction.
If you’re an elderly driver, get evaluated once a year to see if your senses and skill level allow you to safely drive. Don’t be so stubborn about giving up your driver’s license that you ignore the signs of perception difficulties. Invest in and use a GPS.
Pay particular attention when driving north for southbound wrong-way drivers. For whatever reason there were more of these direction wrong-way drivers than any other.
Pay particular attention when driving after midnight and 2:30 a.m.

What else needs to happen to reduce wrong-way collisions?

States could identify the locations of repeated wrong-way entry points. Those points could be redesigned including tire puncture equipment such as we see in use at most parking ramps.
The Court’s must get very tough on drunk drivers and those who cause collisions from being on cell phones (talking or texting); more than they already have been.
The DOT should begin an education campaign for drivers to recognize and avoid wrong-way drivers.
The DOT should begin an education campaign to instruct drivers what to do when a wrong-way driver approaches.
States should further study wrong-way avoidance road and sign designs.
State DOT’s should consider a different middle line design with hash marks bent in the direction of travel and against the opposing direction.
Juries in civil actions need to send a clear message to offenders with large punitive damage awards.
The DOT needs to evaluate older drivers annually for visual and mental awareness; taking away driving privileges where there is risk.
Lawyers need to plead punitive damages in wrong-way collisions.
Victims need to be educated on what to do when they are involved in a wrong-way collision.
Witnesses of wrong-way collisions need to get involved with identifying themselves to police officers investigating a wrong-way collision. Those witnesses may have very valuable information to helping identify the entry points, causes and preventive measures.
DOT accident forms need to be amended to allow the collection of information to identify characteristics associated with causing wrong-way entry points, times when wrong-way collisions are most likely to occur and driver characteristics of those likely to drive the wrong-way. Children and friends of older drivers need to get involved with identifying those likely wrong-way drivers.
States should consider a radio system that would allow public service interruptions, like what is done on television when a weather emergency is eminent. It wouldn’t be perfect (not all radios are on) but something is perhaps better than nothing.

Steve Lombardi, 1300 37^th Street, Suite 6, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Tel: 515-222-1110 Fax: 515-222-0718 Email: sdlombardi@aol.com

Wrong-way Interstate Accidents and Events as of July 7, 2011

Steve Lombardi — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 07:48:54 -0600

Today we have several wrong-way collisions from around the nation. These are the scariest accidents to avoid because death is almost a certainty. These accidents are at high speeds and usually with a drunken driver.

The Lombardi Law Firm site has an entire wrong-way accident section dedicated to the interstate highways in America including Iowa. If you would like to see the common threads with this type of accident I’d suggest you follow this link and learn how to avoid them.

Wrong way driver jumps off bridge
BBC News
The spokesman said: "It is believed that the driver then exited and subsequently jumped from a nearby bridge." He was taken to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, where he is in a serious condition. The four other injured people were taken to the ...

Wrong-Way Driver on Michigan Avenue Strikes Pedestrians
NBC Chicago
By Pam Oliver, Carol Ash and BJ Lutz Two people were injured Friday evening when they were struck by a vehicle driving the wrong way down Michigan Avenue. The incident happened just after 5 pm when an 80-year-old female driver in a red car was ...

]]>Motorcyclist Killed; Wrong-Way Driver Arrested

Cleveland News - Fox 8
By Ted Achladis FOX8.com Reporter A preliminary police investigation has revealed that a motorcyclist was killed Friday morning when his bike collided with a station wagon traveling in the wrong direction on Interstate 90, Fox 8 News reports. ...

Driver of Mag Mile wrong-way vehicle gets 6 tickets
Chicago Tribune
An 82-year-old woman was cited with six traffic violations today in connection with an incident Friday evening in which the car she was driving down the wrong side of the Magnificent Mile struck and injured two pedestrians. ...

Police say wrong-way driver caused crash in Elyria
Chronicle-Telegram
Police believe a wrong-way driver caused the crash that Pignotti witnessed but were unsure Tuesday night if it was the Jeep driver or the Sebring driver. Both suffered non-life threatening injuries. Elyria resident Cecilia Fussi, 56, the Sebring's ...

Driver dies after wrong-way crash on Pa. turnpike
WTOL.com
(AP) - State police in western Pennsylvania say a car heading the wrong way on the Pennsylvania Turnpike collided head-on with one tour bus and hit a second, killing the car driver. Police in Lawrence County say the crash happened at 11:37 pm Friday ...

New Details In An Accident Involving A Drunk Driver Going The Wrong Way
KKTV 11 News
Janna Doerfler was driving home from work when when out of nowhere, another driver slammed into her, head-on. The crash happened at 12:27 am on June 25. State Trooper Michelle Archer started to follow the wrong way driver, identified as 55-year-old ...

Witnesses Describe Wrong-Way Crash that Killed Motorcyclist
Cleveland News - Fox 8
By Emily Valdez Fox 8 News Reporter A motorcycle rider is dead after police say he was hit head-on by an intoxicated, wrong-way driver. Cleveland Police said Jennifer Kearney, 27, of Westlake, was driving the wrong way on I-90 just after 1 am and ...

Drunk driver caught going wrong way on 111
Cookeville Herald Citizen
by Mary Jo Denton COOKEVILLE -- A Spencer man was chased down and arrested early Sunday after allegedly fleeing an accident here and driving the wrong way on Highway 111. It was his second DUI charge, police said. Robert A. Frazier, 37, of State Route ...

Driver in fatal wrong-way crash was 85
Denver Post
Lakewood Police have identified the man who was killed Saturday morning after he drove the wrong direction on West Sixth Avenue and crashed into a Jeep Liberty. Harold Kirkpatrick, 85, of Westminster crashed into the Jeep between Garrison and Kipling ...

Wrong-Way Driver Strikes Pedestrians | NBC Chicago
Two people were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Wrong-way driver on I-95 critically injures another driver ...
TINICUM – A wrong-way driver from Springfield slammed into another vehicle on I- 95 Sunday critically injuring the other driver, according to Pennsylvania ...

Wrong-way driver on I-90 collides with motorcycle, kills rider in ...
The SUV driver was heading the wrong way on the interstate, police said. She was arrested after being treated at a hospital.

Minimal Reports

Wrong-way Drivers on the interstate highway

About wrong-way drivers

Wrong way drivers present an obvious danger to all motorists on our highways.

The most recent available crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates wrong way drivers are involved in 1.5 percent of all fatal crashes.

Drivers who travel the wrong way on one way highways generally fall into one of eight different categories:

Intoxicated driver
Older drivers who easily get confused
Purposeful acts including attempts to commit suicide and criminals attempting to elude the police
Inattentive drivers who mistake an off-ramp for an on-ramp
Mental defect or disease
Prescription drug intoxication
Inexperience
GPS providing incorrect, inaccurate or confusing information

Safety tips and information related to wrong way driver situations:

Watch far ahead for signs of a possible wrong way driver, looking for signs similar to pending problems or developing emergency situations such as other traffic braking or swerving to avoid something, or the obvious - headlights coming in the opposite direction.
Caution against driving long periods in the left lane on freeways, especially on curves and over a hill or any rise in the road where you aren’t able to clearly see ahead.
Be aware that wrong way drivers usually drive in the passing lane believing they are actually on a two-lane highway.
The most common types of wrong way crashes are head-on or sideswipe crashes.

What should you do if you see a wrong-way driver?

Get to the shoulder and stop.
If you can’t get to the shoulder, slow down and attempt to safely stop your vehicle by pulling to the right.
Sound your horn.
Put on your lights and flash the high beams.
Call 9-1-1.
Before getting in the car wear your seat belts.
Drive in the right hand lane of travel on the Interstate.
When passing or coming to the crest of a hill look ahead for a wrong-way driver making sure the lane is clear.
Assume when in the left hand lane of a divided highway that you may come upon a wrong-way driver.
When driving on a divided highway stay vigilant and pay attention to what is ahead of you. Avoid allowing distractions to take your attention off the road ahead.

How can drivers avoid wrong-way driving?

Don’t drive drunk.
When coming to a divided highway come to a complete stop, look at and read the signs, making sure you know which way to go.
Don’t allow vehicles to the rear to rush you.
Stay off the telephone when driving.
Don’t allow distractions to interfere with being vigilant about your driving.
If you’re a young driver, don’t drive when the other passengers are a distraction.
If you’re an elderly driver, get evaluated once a year to see if your senses and skill level allow you to safely drive. Don’t be so stubborn about giving up your driver’s license that you ignore the signs of perception difficulties. Invest in and use a GPS.
Pay particular attention when driving north for southbound wrong-way drivers. For whatever reason there were more of these direction wrong-way drivers than any other.
Pay particular attention when driving after midnight and 2:30 a.m.

What else needs to happen to reduce wrong-way collisions?

States could identify the locations of repeated wrong-way entry points. Those points could be redesigned including tire puncture equipment such as we see in use at most parking ramps.
The Court’s must get very tough on drunk drivers and those who cause collisions from being on cell phones (talking or texting); more than they already have been.
The DOT should begin an education campaign for drivers to recognize and avoid wrong-way drivers.
The DOT should begin an education campaign to instruct drivers what to do when a wrong-way driver approaches.
States should further study wrong-way avoidance road and sign designs.
State DOT’s should consider a different middle line design with hash marks bent in the direction of travel and against the opposing direction.
Juries in civil actions need to send a clear message to offenders with large punitive damage awards.
The DOT needs to evaluate older drivers annually for visual and mental awareness; taking away driving privileges where there is risk.
Lawyers need to plead punitive damages in wrong-way collisions.
Victims need to be educated on what to do when they are involved in a wrong-way collision.
Witnesses of wrong-way collisions need to get involved with identifying themselves to police officers investigating a wrong-way collision. Those witnesses may have very valuable information to helping identify the entry points, causes and preventive measures.
DOT accident forms need to be amended to allow the collection of information to identify characteristics associated with causing wrong-way entry points, times when wrong-way collisions are most likely to occur and driver characteristics of those likely to drive the wrong-way. Children and friends of older drivers need to get involved with identifying those likely wrong-way drivers.
States should consider a radio system that would allow public service interruptions, like what is done on television when a weather emergency is eminent. It wouldn’t be perfect (not all radios are on) but something is perhaps better than nothing.

Another Wrong-way Highway Driver in Iowa

Steve Lombardi — Mon, 02 May 2011 04:00:23 -0600

Not just another day in paradise, because we have another wrong-way driver case in Iowa. Unreal is how many people in Iowa would describe it, but for me after 3+ years of reading about wrong-way interstate drivers I understand the whys and so I accept it as inevitable. This is I believe is the 4^th case in less than a two-year time. Little old sparsely populated Iowa and here we go again. Wow, this is getting serious. What’s going on out there? We are all on automatic pilot running on a treadmill, faster and faster and going nowhere but getting there fast.

I’ve been writing about these cases now for over three years, have reported on thousand’s of wrong-way events, collisions, accidents, deaths and whatever’s – have even come up with common threads as to what facts seem important. If you asked me three years ago how many wrong-way interstate accidents occurred I would have told you rarely, but that’s not true. They are far too common not just here in Iowa, but in every state in the union and across Europe. At the end of this blog I’ll again add my lists of common threads along with the most recent news reports. This isn’t all the most recent news reports. If you want to see how many wrong-way collisions there are follow these links to both the Verdict and the Edict.

Briefly, the latest one was in Warren County Friday morning on Highway 5 and involved a Chevy Tahoe SUV, a semi-truck and a motorcyclist. I couldn’t think of a worse mix of vehicles for a wrong-way collision. Welcome to Iowa, a surprising place to live. WHO covered the story.

]]>

FATAL CRASH: A wrong-way crash on Highway 5 Friday morning killed one person and seriously injured another

STORY LINK: http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-wrong-way-fatal-crash-042911,0,6250194.story

NEWS ITEMS

Plano woman killed by wrong-way driver
Plano Star Courier
By Jessica Rush, jrush@acnpapers.com A Plano resident died in the hospital Monday after a wrong-way driver hit her vehicle in Grapevine Sunday night. The Grapevine Police Department has not released the name of the 61-year-old woman, but did say the ...

Wrong-Way Driver Involved in Head-On Crash in Hugo | KSTP TV ...
The State Patrol says the driver of a KIA Rio was driving the wrong way down the northbound lanes of Highway 61 around 7:30 a.m. A 1957 Chevy Belair driving ...

Plano woman injured by wrong-way driver
Plano Star Courier
By Jessica Rush, jrush@acnpapers.com A Plano resident remains in critical condition after a wrong-way driver hit her vehicle on State Highway 121 in Grapevine. The Grapevine Police Department has not released the name of the 61-year-old woman, ...

Wrexham driver sped wrong way down dual carriageway
Daily Post North Wales
by Our Correspondent, DPW West A DRINK driver, who sped the wrong way down a dual-carriageway in a bid to shake off pursuing police officers, was told yesterday it was a miracle no one had been killed or seriously injured. Jonathan Lee Jones, 31, ...

$100000 bail for driver in wrong-way crash in Rainier Valley
The Seattle Times
The female driver of the Honda Civic and her female passenger were treated by medics at the scene. Police later found Martinez-Reyes behind the wheel of his SUV, which was parked at the Atlantic City boat ramp, in the 9000 block of Seward Park Avenue ...

Police curb wrong-way driver on QEW
Niagara Falls Review
By Standard Staff, St. Catharines Standard, Niagara Region, Sun Media A driver headed the wrong way onto a QEW access in St. Catharines had the brakes put on him by the Niagara OPP's top cop. Staff Sgt. Jan Idzenga said he was about to go through an ...

Woman critically injured in Grapevine by wrong-way driver
WFAA
GRAPEVINE - Highway 121 is back open in Grapevine after a wrong-way crash shut it down for hours Monday morning. A Plano woman was critically injured when a wrong-way driver hit her car around 11 pm Sunday near Grapevine Parkway. ...

Drink driver's 'high speed' chase
BBC News
A drink driver drove the wrong way down a north Wales dual carriageway during a "dangerous, high speed" police chase, a court has heard. A judge at Mold Crown Court told Jonathan Lee Jones, 31, of Brynteg, Wrexham, it was a miracle no one had been ...

2 Staten Island women charged with drunk driving
SILive.com
By John M. Annese STATEN ISLAND, NY -- One drunken driver went the wrong way down a one-way street, then reversed when an officer saw her, police said. Another rear-ended a pickup truck and walked off, only to leave her pocketbook and ID behind in her ...

Car abandoned by driver during police chase hits house in Houma
Daily Journal
Patrol officers saw a car making a fast turn with tires squealing. They pursued as the car ran through stop signs and headed the wrong way down a one-way street. The driver jumped out and ran. The car ran into the porch. There were no injuries and ...

Wrong-Way Crash Injures 2 People In Grapevine « Wrong-Way Crash ...
By KTVTPhil
They are not sure where the wrong-way driver entered the highway, but a witness who was driving nearby is being questioned. Highway 121 in Grapevine was closed for several hours early Monday morning, but all lanes of traffic have since ...

Wrong-way driver arrested for DUI on I-40
Officials say Russell Neal Gibson, 44, of Louisville, was driving eastbound in the westbound lanes on I-40 near Interstate 640 at 1:11 a.m. Monday when he ...

Two Killed in Wrong-Way Driver Crash Downtown - San Diego 6
Head-on collision kills the wrong-way driver and another driver.

Wrong-Way Driver Involved in Head-On Crash in Hugo
KSTP.com
The State Patrol says the driver of a KIA Rio was driving the wrong way down the northbound lanes of Highway 61 around 7:30 am A 1957 Chevy Belair driving northbound swerved out of the way to avoid the KIA, but was swiped by it. ...

Abduction May Have Been Factor in Wrong-Way Freeway Crash, Renton Police Say
Patch.com
By Margaret Santjer | Email the author | April 17, 2011 Three people were hospitalized Sunday after a police chase sparked by a possible abduction ended in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 5, Renton Police said. A witness told police that two men forced ...

Wrong-way police chase on I-5 ends in crash
KING5.com
Three people are in the hospital following a possible abduction and high speed chase, which ended after a driver made a u-turn into oncoming I-5 traffic. It all started in Renton, where Kenny McKenzie was enjoying a break outside of his packaging plant ...

Coach stuck in Weymouth town centre
Dorset Echo
A COACH driver apparently confused by roadworks in Weymouth had to be helped after accidentally driving the wrong way into Weymouth town centre. Bemused daytrippers sat patiently as the Devon-based Royal Blues coach manoeuvred in the pedestrianised St ...

Driver smashes into cop car, then flees
phillyBurbs.com
... driven by a man later identified as Davis, heading eastbound on Route 332 at about 1:53 pm The officer attempted to stop the car, but Davis tried to get away, even briefly driving the wrong way on the off-ramp of I-95 north, police said. ...

Wrong way driver triggers deadly head-on crash on I-5 - San Diego ...
California Highway Patrol officers were still investigating why a motorist was driving the wrong way on Interstate 5 in downtown San Diego Saturday, ...

Wrong way driver crashes car on highway; dies at hospital
Before police could arrive the wrong way driver crashed head on into a semi on the south bound lanes of US 131 just north of 144th Avenue in Dorr Township. ...

Wrong Way Driver Involved in Deadly Downtown Crash
KGTV San Diego
No age or gender was released for the wrong-way driver, and the CHP did not say how the silver Honda Civic ended up going north in the southbound lane. The crash occurred next to Balboa Park, just south of Highway 163. The collision occurred around ...

76-year-old Naples man drove wrong way on I-75, state police say
Naples Daily News
By Naples Daily News staff report A 76-year-old Naples man may need to retake his driver's license examination after he drove the wrong way on Interstate 75 Friday night, Florida Highway Patrol reported. Francis H. Rushman was driving south on the ...

Drunk Driver Injures Security Guard
KFGO
A security guard was hurt when a wrong-way driver slammed head-on into his company car early this morning. A security guard was hurt when a wrong-way driver slammed head-on into his company car early this morning. Naomi Kosen, 24, of Fargo was arrested ...

Defense: marks mean Owens is innocent
KRQE
(KRQE) SANTA FE - The attorney of Scott Owens called a tow trucker to the stand to prove that the alleged drunk driver who's accused of causing a wrong way crash was in his lane that night. Owens is accused of crossing the center line in a two-lane ...

Kalamazoo man dies after wrong-way collision with semi-truck along US 131 in ...
MLive.com
By Jim Harger | The Grand Rapids Press WAYLAND – A 61-year-old Kalamazoo man died early Saturday after the pickup truck he was driving the wrong way on US 131 collided head-on with a semi-truck. Kenneth Wrozek was pronounced dead at Spectrum Health's ...

Older drivers sometimes experience diminished skills
Bakersfield Californian
He said the best way to approach the matter is in a group setting, with other relatives providing support and talking about why the person shouldn't drive anymore. Those reasons include driving in the wrong lane, becoming confused, and trouble seeing ...

DWI charges lodged against wrong-way driver
Buffalo News
According to Central District officers, Teraysa Smith of Northland Avenue was driving the wrong way on the Elm Street overpass when her car collided with an inbound vehicle. The crash occurred shortly after 4 am Friday. Smith had a blood-alcohol ...

At scene of wrong-way driver, 'Before it hit us, there wasn't a whole lot of time'
Minneapolis Star Tribune
A wrong-way driver on a street near Dinkytown struck three University of Minnesota students on a sidewalk after bar closing early Friday and took off, leaving one of the pedestrians in critical condition and the other two injured, authorities said. ...

Minneapolis police say wrong-way driver strikes 3 people on sidewalk near ...
The Republic
AP MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police say a driver going the wrong way on a street near the University of Minnesota campus struck and injured three pedestrians walking on a sidewalk early Friday. Police say all three victims were taken to Hennepin ...

Wrong-way driver causes accident on Interstate
Trinidad Times Independent
By Steve Block, Staff writer, TTi A car being driven in the wrong direction on Interstate 25 Wednesday collided head on with another vehicle, but only minor injuries resulted in the crash north of Trinidad. The silver car with New Mexico license plates ...

Woman taken to hospital after truck crashes into bedroom
KCBD-TV
This all happened around 6:30 pm Neighbors say wrong-way drivers are a problem in that neighborhood. "I don't know if he was trying to beat the traffic and make it to this stop sign or what, but there's been several cars that come down like that anyway ...

Wrong-way Drivers on the interstate highway

About wrong-way drivers

Wrong way drivers present an obvious danger to all motorists on our highways.

The most recent available crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates wrong way drivers are involved in 1.5 percent of all fatal crashes.

Drivers who travel the wrong way on one way highways generally fall into one of eight different categories:

Intoxicated driver
Older drivers who easily get confused
Purposeful acts including attempts to commit suicide and criminals attempting to elude the police
Inattentive drivers who mistake an off-ramp for an on-ramp
Mental defect or disease
Prescription drug intoxication
Inexperience
GPS providing incorrect, inaccurate or confusing information

Safety tips and information related to wrong way driver situations:

Watch far ahead for signs of a possible wrong way driver, looking for signs similar to pending problems or developing emergency situations such as other traffic braking or swerving to avoid something, or the obvious - headlights coming in the opposite direction.
Caution against driving long periods in the left lane on freeways, especially on curves and over a hill or any rise in the road where you aren’t able to clearly see ahead.
Be aware that wrong way drivers usually drive in the passing lane believing they are actually on a two-lane highway.
The most common types of wrong way crashes are head-on or sideswipe crashes.

What should you do if you see a wrong-way driver?

Get to the shoulder and stop.
If you can’t get to the shoulder, slow down and attempt to safely stop your vehicle by pulling to the right.
Sound your horn.
Put on your lights and flash the high beams.
Call 9-1-1.
Before getting in the car wear your seat belts.
Drive in the right hand lane of travel on the Interstate.
When passing or coming to the crest of a hill look ahead for a wrong-way driver making sure the lane is clear.
Assume when in the left hand lane of a divided highway that you may come upon a wrong-way driver.
When driving on a divided highway stay vigilant and pay attention to what is ahead of you. Avoid allowing distractions to take your attention off the road ahead.

How can drivers avoid wrong-way driving?

Don’t drive drunk.
When coming to a divided highway come to a complete stop, look at and read the signs, making sure you know which way to go.
Don’t allow vehicles to the rear to rush you.
Stay off the telephone when driving.
Don’t allow distractions to interfere with being vigilant about your driving.
If you’re a young driver, don’t drive when the other passengers are a distraction.
If you’re an elderly driver, get evaluated once a year to see if your senses and skill level allow you to safely drive. Don’t be so stubborn about giving up your driver’s license that you ignore the signs of perception difficulties. Invest in and use a GPS.
Pay particular attention when driving north for southbound wrong-way drivers. For whatever reason there were more of these direction wrong-way drivers than any other.
Pay particular attention when driving after midnight and 2:30 a.m.

What else needs to happen to reduce wrong-way collisions?

States could identify the locations of repeated wrong-way entry points. Those points could be redesigned including tire puncture equipment such as we see in use at most parking ramps.
The Court’s must get very tough on drunk drivers and those who cause collisions from being on cell phones (talking or texting); more than they already have been.
The DOT should begin an education campaign for drivers to recognize and avoid wrong-way drivers.
The DOT should begin an education campaign to instruct drivers what to do when a wrong-way driver approaches.
States should further study wrong-way avoidance road and sign designs.
State DOT’s should consider a different middle line design with hash marks bent in the direction of travel and against the opposing direction.
Juries in civil actions need to send a clear message to offenders with large punitive damage awards.
The DOT needs to evaluate older drivers annually for visual and mental awareness; taking away driving privileges where there is risk.
Lawyers need to plead punitive damages in wrong-way collisions.
Victims need to be educated on what to do when they are involved in a wrong-way collision.
Witnesses of wrong-way collisions need to get involved with identifying themselves to police officers investigating a wrong-way collision. Those witnesses may have very valuable information to helping identify the entry points, causes and preventive measures.
DOT accident forms need to be amended to allow the collection of information to identify characteristics associated with causing wrong-way entry points, times when wrong-way collisions are most likely to occur and driver characteristics of those likely to drive the wrong-way. Children and friends of older drivers need to get involved with identifying those likely wrong-way drivers.
States should consider a radio system that would allow public service interruptions, like what is done on television when a weather emergency is eminent. It wouldn’t be perfect (not all radios are on) but something is perhaps better than nothing.

If you have questions feel free to contact us and as always because we’d rather you call sooner than later.

Steve Lombardi, 1300 37^th Street, Suite 6, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Tel: 515-222-1110 Fax: 515-222-0718 Email: sdlombardi@aol.com

Honesty and fairness have nothing to do with insurance defense - HONEST!

Steve Lombardi — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 05:00:36 -0600

Before talking to the insurance adjuster or defense attorney or the case mismanager remember this from I Claudius, don't touch the figs.

The premise held by most clients is that this system of law is fair. They'll say they want only to be treated fairly. When representing themselves they make the assumption that when defense lawyers talk to you they will be fair. Well I'm here to tell you, you had better not trust in being treated fairly. I mean exactly that and it has nothing to do with whether or not the defense lawyer or the insurance company is dishonest. They don’t have to be “honest” and they aren’t trying to be “fair”. Fact is they are hoping you aren’t smart enough to ask the right questions so they don’t have to not answer you. You think I’m kidding? Hell no. I’m not and I can prove I’m right. Here let me prove it to you.

Defense work has nothing to do with treating people fairly. If it did you could come up with the name of at least one defense lawyer who has said in the past, "I don't think you're asking for enough, can I pay you more?" Or, "Did you know you're entitled under the law to be paid more for your damages?” Go ahead find me one insurance company representative that has said that in the entire history of insurance. Go ahead, think real hard; I can wait, go ahead and think harder.

Umnnn dee dum, dee-dum... Have you remembered one? No? I didn't think so. I've not heard anything like that in 30 years.

Updated: This is too funny. I had a link to an insurance company's YouTube ad and they actually took it down so I could not tag them with how deceptive it is. Can you believe it? Yeah that's what they do. They advertise when they need more money, lie to you the premium payer and then when we lawyers point it out they take down what they said to erase the lie. That's reality folks, that's the insurance industry.

]]>For defense lawyers to represent the interests of insurance companies the DL (that's industry jargon for defense lawyer) must take advantage of every mistake you make, to exploit every bit of ignorance you have and to use every misconception you think about this being about fairness.

In other words the defense lawyer's job is to treat you in a way to take advantage of your ignorance of the law as well as your mistakes. Frankly because this isn't about fairness their job is to treat you unfairly. Ethically they can, do and must treat you unfairly as most people think about the idea of fairness.

Fairness dictates honestly and with openness and candor. But ethics require the lawyer to maintain confidences provided by the client. I as your lawyer have to be candid and open with my client and if you're my client I act ethically. But the insurance company's lawyer isn't your lawyer and you the injured person aren't his client. So candor isn't going to be happening between the two of you. That's not the hand of a friend reaching out to shake your hand; the handshake being a sign of friendship, but this one is not one from a friend. Never confuse friendliness with friendship. The two are not one and the same.

The defense attorney or the insurance company representatives are like the slithering snake that delivers the poison being slipped into the wine goblet from which the injured drink. Now you understand the legal concept of "fairness".