Wrong-Way Interstate Drivers 02/20/2010 to 05/15/2010
Here are the wrong-way accidents I found over the period of time in the title. To see a list of how to stay safe from these drivers click on this title: Defending Against Wrong-Way Interstate Drivers. Today I cover those stories read from Februrary 2010 to May 15, 2010. November 2009 had so many I will post them on Monday. As you will see, this is another busy period for wrong-way drivers.
East Hartford, Connecticut – May 15, 2010 – A wrong-way driver’s progress was stopped a Connecticut State Trooper who stopped his cruiser right in the path of the oncoming car. Just before the crash he leapt to safety. Interstate highway involved in this one is I-84 eastbound lane at 1:00 a.m., Saturday with the driver of course heading in a westerly direction. The wrong-way driver was 64-years-old and treated for minor injury.
Flagstaff, Arizona – May 8, 2010 – An I-40 head-on wrong-way crash on a Thursday at 10:45 p.m. occurred in the westbound lanes as this at-fault driver caused more than a dozen people to be injured; he and one other person died. He drove a pickup truck that crashed head-on with a semi-truck. The semi burst into flames and that driver got out before being seriously injured. As the wrong-way truck continued it sideswiped a van with correctional officers as passengers; then a 4th vehicle occupied by Marine recruits was struck by debris. The wrong-way driver was Jose Martinez, a 51-year-old man from Phoenix and he died. As traffic was backed up waiting for the highway to be cleared another accident occurred involving another semi-truck that rear-ended a Peterbilt and also involved a cattle truck and trailer. Other cars were involved. These wrong-way collisions can obviously cause other collisions or setup a scene where other accidents are more likely. In the second set of collisions another man was killed as he slept in the sleeper. Was this driver texting? Some of the cattle had to be put down.
Bartonsville, Pennsylvania – May 7, 2010 – Heading northbound in the southbound lanes on I-80 lead police to suspect this driver may be driving drunk. He was stopped charged with DUI along with several traffic related violations. He was a 19-year-old East Stroudsburg man. Welcome to the Pocono’s.
Edmonton, Canada – May 7, 2010 – In this wrong-way collision on Highway 16 near Edson the at-fault driver died as his car crashed head-on with a semi truck traveling in the eastbound lanes. His car, reported to be a 1996 Ford Taurus burst into flames. No indication of the possible reasons or contributing factors why the driver would be heading the wrong-way on this divided highway.
Maryland-Delaware State Line on U.S. Highway 50 – May 7, 2010 report from and attornye’s blog. In this double-fatality at 3:00 a.m. a 26-year-old man Malpico Alaniz Stephens from Delaware was later charged with vehicular manslaughter for an alcohol related driving death. The two people in the not-at-fault vehicle were killed.
Seattle, Washington – May 7, 2010 – This wrong-way driver caused two accidents; one involving a state trooper. It occurred on I-405 as he drove south in the northbound lanes of travel. The at-fault driver came head-on to the trooper who swerved to avoid the driver before himself crashing into a guardrail. There were minor injuries for the trooper, while another car was sideswiped. The wrong-way driver stopped his car, and then fled on foot, never to be found. Of course police continue to search for the suspect.
Huntsville, Texas – May 7, 2010 – An illegal alien was sentenced to 18-years for the death of a 46-year-old woman when he drove the wrong-way on I-45 last September in Montgomery County. The woman and her husband had been to a high school football game when they were struck head-on. The husband suffered serious injuries including a broken arm. This wrong-way driver will have to serve at least 9 years in prison before being eligible for parole, at which time he’ll probably be deported. Report indicates he was drunk at the time of the crash. Video available from KBTX.
Brookfield, Connecticut – May 7, 2010 – A 24-year-old woman from Danbury is reported to have been charged with evading responsibility, operating under the influence, and driving the wrong way on a one-way highway. The wrong-way calls to police started at about 2:30 a.m. and then she struck another vehicle before leaving the scene of the accident. The report indicates the driver failed a field sobriety test.
Flagstaff, Arizona – May 7, 2010 – A pickup truck hit a semi-truck head-on on I-40 killing the driver. A total of four vehicles were involved in the crash. The last struck by debris from the first and second crashes. The driver of the wrong-way vehicle was 51-years-old.
Bedminster, New Jersey – May 2, 2010 – In this wrong-way crash on I-78 a man driving a small car struck an SUV at 5:35 a.m. then collided with a charter bus carrying 45 people, described as mostly children. The driver of the compact car was killed.
Balaton, Hungary – April 29, 2010 – This wrong-way driver allegedly was asleep at the wheel as he drove some 30 miles in Hungary. His daughter allegedly warned, "He can't help himself because he's a sleepwalker. We try to lock him in but he can find the keys and get out while he's still sleeping." No injuries or collisions. Man pulled off on the shoulder to dream and was awakened when police banged on his window. I hope he had on his good pajamas.
Buffalo, New York – April 29, 2010 – In this wrong-way collision on the Kensington Expressway the offending vehicle caused the right-way driver’s car to ends up shiny side down. That driver was taken to the area hospital with head and neck injuries. The at-fault driver was a 30-year-old male driving a Cadillac Escalade versus a 58-year-old female driving an SUV. No indication of the reasons why the driver was on the wrong-side of the freeway. Video available from WIVB-4.
San Antonio, Texas – April 28, 2010 – After leaving a gentlemen’s club this wrong-way driver headed off down I-10 and when seen by police it’s reported he didn’t stop compounding the already serious criminal charges. Sounds like toxicology reports are in the hopper.
San Antonio, Texas – April 25, 2010 – A 2:00 a.m. accident in the 3200 block of Roosevelt by a northbound car that struck a truck head-on and then reportedly took off. Eight blocks later the police caught up with the driver. Alcohol reportedly involved. Video available from KENS-5-TV.
Columbia, Missouri – April 28, 2010 – Missouri State Highway Patrol pulled this 26 year-old woman over and reportedly arrested her for OWI or DWI after she drove the wrong-way, north in the southbound lanes of Highway 63 near the Columbia Regional Airport. No injuries or collisions.
Cape Girardeau County, - April 29, 2010 – This is one exception to the rule because this wrong-way driver on I-55 simply made a mistake getting on the Interstate and then didn’t know how to get to the other side. She drove at 40-mph and ended up going from Scott to Cape Girardeau Counties before the police finally stopped her. She wasn’t impaired by alcohol or drugs, was ticketed and let go on her way. It was a Thursday morning at 5:00 p.m. No collisions or injuries.
San Luis Obispo, California – April 28, 2010 – This one is an intentional wrong-way while trying to escape police and arrest. She was caught after driving the wrong-way on Highway 101 at speeds of between 70 and 80 mph. Reportedly arrested at gun point.
Westerly, Connecticut – April 16, 2010 – Bail was raised from $500 to $99,000 after this 45-year-old man’s extensive drunken driving record is disclosed to Judge Kevin McMahon. This is the same wrong-way on Route 2 at 1:30 a.m. on April 4, 2010 near the Foxwoods Resort Casino. Charges are reported to include driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, improper entry to a limited-access highway and driving without insurance.
Arnold, Missouri – April 26, 2010 – This wrong-way is on I-55 southbound at 1:00 p.m. just north of Highway 141 exit. Driver was in her late 70’s collided head-on with another car. Sounds like an age related thing.
Porterville, California – April 26, 2010 – A drunken driver on Highway 65 collided with cars; his passenger goes missing and may have been ejected into a waterway. The time is 9:00 p.m., the driver 62 and alcohol suspected.
Beaumont, Texas – April 26, 2010 – Lawsuit filed over injuries from wrong-way driving. Wrong-way was from May 15, 2009 on Old Sour Road in Beaumont. Appearances for the plaintiffs are by James E. Payne and Jennifer Job Seale of Provost and Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont.
Lewisboro, New York – April 26, 2010 – A 2:39 a.m. I-684 wrong-way by drunk driver sending four people to the hospital. ” After an investigation, police found 0.2 gram of cocaine in Mr. Martinez-Arenas’s possession, and determined that he was intoxicated and did not have a driver’s license, police said. His blood alcohol content was measured through a blood test, and is not yet available, police said. He was arrested for vehicular assault in the second degree, a class E felony, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, and driving while intoxicated, both misdemeanors, unlicensed driving, and failure to obey a traffic device, both violations, police said.”
Decatur, Georgia – April 26, 2010 – Once again the wrong-way southbound driver survives but the other driver died in this I-85 5:00 a.m. collision. The decedent was 26-years of age from Atlanta. Four cars were involved. Driver reportedly charged with dui, reckless driving, driving without a license and driving the wrong way. Follow-up article from WSBTV.
Chesapeake, Virginia – April 27, 2010 – This wrong-way on I-64 is reported as a planned suicide. Two people died and one injured. Three car collision. Troopers discovered a letter in the rear seat. YouTube video clip from Channel 10 WAVY – The passenger was on a cell phone call and reportedly yelling at the driver to pull over and stop. Call came at 8:45 p.m. Sounds like a love issue gone very wrong.
Austin, Texas – April 27, 2010 – I-35 wrong-way driver killed as she drove southbound in the northbound lanes of I-35. Accident time is 2:00 a.m. in the 2000 block. The pickup she struck faired better and the two people in it weren’t injured. Follow-up article by KVUE identifies the wrong-way driver and seeks independent witnesses who can assist with the investigation.
Pittsburgh, PA – April 14, 2010 – This wrong-way driver entered the Parkway West striking another vehicle and report indicates suspected of being under the influence of drugs. Time of incident is 10:00 p.m. Entry point is Green Tree interchange and heading inbound in the outbound lanes without headlights. Driver is 27-years-of age.
Tacoma, Washington – March 29, 2010 – This wrong-way driver on I-5 was killed at about 2:10 p.m. Sunday as he drove head-on into a semi-truck. A trooper attempted to alert the man he was driving the wrong-way and he too was nearly in an accident. The semi-truck driver was uninjured; but the 24-year-old man, Garrett M. Felt died.
Yakima County, Washington – March 29, 2010 – Seems like there is a rash of wrong-way collisions in Washington State. In this one on Highway 97 both drivers went to the hospital after a drunken driver, a 23-year-old man caused a collision. Washington Highway Patrol investigated.
Stamford, Connecticut – March 22, 2010 – Four people were hospitalized after this wrong-way driver collided on a Sunday morning at 4:55 a.m. near the intersection of Strawberry Hill and Holcomb Avenues. A later report has the driver being charged with vehicular manslaughter and a bond being set at $20,000. BAC noted to be 0.21 percent and legal limit is 0.08 percent. See Stamford man arrested in motor vehicle death, April 15, 2010.
Lexington, Kentucky – March 22, 2010 – This was a January wrong-way collision on New Circle Road where a 40-year-old Connie Layne was killed. She was a social worker at an area hospital. The man accused of driving the wrong-way car was arrested and the report indicates charged with “murder”.
Gresham, Oregon – March 21, 2010 – This wrong-way driver on U.S. 26th at 267th Avenue was experiencing a diabetic condition leading him to driver eastbound in the westbound lanes after he caused a minor crash. He struck a guardrail and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 65-years-old.
Asheville, North Carolina – March 22, 2010 – Here is a school district with a unique, but probably expensive, way to teach young adults about drinking and driving and going the wrong-way. Owen High students learn real lessons about drinking, driving through high-tech simulated crashes
Grand Rapids, Michigan – March 21, 2010 – This I-196 westbound lanes wrong-way driver met the trooper head-on with his lights flashing. She stopped. Her BAC was .20. She couldn’t explain how she got onto Interstate 196 going the wrong-way.
So here is a question that needs to be considered. Would the driver of a car that forces the wrong-way driver off of the road be charged with reckless driving?
Winfield, Nebraska - March 20, 2010 – This is the second wrong-way driver accident in less than a week for this county. A 5-car crash just after 8 p.m. on Highway 77 was caused by a 22-year-old driving a Chevy Impala. A Yukon struck his head-on sending him to the hospital in critical condition. Northbound lanes of traffic were affected for more than 2-hours. Two other people were injured.
New York, New York – March 20, 2010 – The officer in a high-speed chase was found negligent by a jury and the woman his car struck was awarded $300,000 minus $90,000 for her fault because, as the article states, they found the officer did not have his siren or lights on during this hot pursuit. The officer was responding to a shooting when his patrol car struck the woman’s van.
Missoula, Montana – March 20, 2010 – The Missoulian editorial discusses the inconsistency of sentencing for felony DUI. The example they use involves a wrong-way driver, Teresa Lorraine O’Connell. Sentences inconsistent for chronic DUIs.
North Bend, Washington – February 20, 2010 – An I-90 wrong-way collision caused a crash in Washington State that killed the wrong-way driver from crashing head-on into a box truck. Time was shortly before midnight, and involved another Washington State Trooper who came head to head with the WWD in the left lane, swerved onto the shoulder, the WWD swerved to also avoid the collision and struck the oncoming box truck. There was a passenger in the WW car that was seriously injured; the driver was killed and the box truck driver was also hospitalized at the Harborview Medical Center in Seattle; he is 43-years of age. The wrong-way driver was a 25-year-old man. Police say alcohol was involved.
North Bend, Washington – February 20, 2010 – I-90 wrong-way driver slams into a semi after narrowly missing a state trooper’s vehicle. Time of the incident was 12:26 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-90. The driver was from Wichita Falls, Texas.
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