Woke up Saturday to the most horrific sound

[got3fords]

I was trying to get a little extra sleep because I had a long day ahead, going to a late football game. I even had ear plugs in. Suddenly I woke to an extremely loud almost explosion-like sound. I thought what the holy crap was that? I look out the bedroom window and saw two plumes of smoke rising up from the road.

I live right off a major Virginia road, US 33. Traffic varies, as this was Labor Day weekend Saturday, it was quite busy. I threw on some shorts and shoes and walked through my yard toward the neighbor’s. I about crapped when I saw the carnage. My jaw dropped! I have never seen such a bad accident.

Somehow it appears a late model Chevy Suburban and a previous generation Ranger (I think) got completely demolished. Check out what’s left of the Ranger. Utter devastation.

The driver of the Ranger laid in the middle of the road unconscious, pants half ripped off. There was debris EVERYWHERE! The cab, engine and transmission ended up in my neighbor’s yard. The radio head unit was found several yards away, part way up the hill.

I still don’t know the status of any of the passengers. News reporting around here sucks, and if I hear anything, it won’t be till after the long weekend. If the Ranger driver survived, it would be a miracle.

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[NotBudule2]

Geez !!! That's a bad one , not sure I have seen a cab come off that clean before...

 

[IdahoRanger]

Not a pleasant way to wake up. That is a horrible wreck.

 

[TJC]

No skid marks, which suggests they hit head on at closing speed. Someone crossed the centerline.

Life is fleeting. No one knows when they will be called home. Prepare accordingly.

So very sad for everyone involved.

 

[OFC Ranger]

I see instant lights out all the time in my line of work.

We had two fatalities just last week. Both involving passenger vehicles and tractor trailers. Rarely is the big rig at fault, unfortunately its usually someone in a hurry with zero situational awareness thinking their shitbox economy car just works like a bumper car at the fair.

Lower to the ground vehicles easily get peeled back at driver level like a can of sardines against big rig trailers. The last one got luck in the sense he will probably be able to have an open casket funeral. Most cannot.

When I drive, even in my POV, I am constantly scanning cross sections I pass through whether I have the green light or not. I also stay about 4-5 car lengths back when on the interstate.

Driving is one of those cases where ignorance is NOT bliss. If everyone saw what we saw, things would be better.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

I can't see how the Ranger driver came out of that in one piece, much less still alive.

I've never seen a cab peeled off like that.

Horrific indeed.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Not a good way to wake up, for you or the occupants of the vehicles.

Being an amateur morning-after forensics buff, it appears to me that the Suburban(?) was towing the yellow Sonic/Spark. I don't know the time of day or the weather conditions, the Ranger obviously was hit from the side, probably the passenger side as that front wheel is ripped off. No mention if this occurred at an intersection, was the Ranger trying to make a U-turn, and was not seen by the Suburban because of a rise in the roadway or a low tree limb arching over its lane? Neither appears to have had time to react.

 

[TJC]

I am convinced that vehicle distance is an accident multiplier. The closer you are to vehicles the greater the danger. Disparate speeds are another accident multiplier. I try to stay alone even on the interstate.

People do not even consider the physics involved, and too many are distracted by cell phones, "self driving cars", drinking, or the need to get to wherever quickly, even during rush hour. People too often take dangerous and unnecessary risks while in high speed close quarters situations.

Who knows what decisions lead to this accident. After the fact it is ilrelevant to those involved. The damage is done, and lives are dramatically altered / shortened.

Remember the individuals and families involved in prayer. I am sure there are many heartsick people whose lives will never be the same waking up this morning.

On a personal note, I am constantly aware and assessing risk probabilities when I drive, and I look for possible escape routes when I perceive even the slightest of risks around me.

I will be driving through Wash DC in a month or so. The beltway around DC is a death trap. Wide 6 lane traffic (in each direction) coupled with excessive speeding while bumper to bumper, with no avoidance possible.

When taking long trips through major metro areas I typically drive at night simply because of the high risk, and I time my trip to traverse the DC Beltway at 2AM. The window of low traffic is only between 2AM - 4 AM. I tried midnight and it was still crazy. Weekends during daylight and evening is still crazy. Bypassing Wash DC adds an hour to the trip. And 10 hour long trips are becoming more difficult each year!

 

[got3fords]

If you look at the small yellow car, it was being towed most likely by the 4 Runner, which barely got scathed. It was the only one with a hitch. One of the witnesses said something about seeing fish-tailing. I still don't have details, but I am guessing the 4 Runner was towing beyond limits with that yellow car, somehow leading to the head-on with the Ranger.
As soon as I know more, I will update. I did search today of all the local news, and still nothing.

 

[TJC]

My nephew and his wife of 2 years were driving south on I-81 in Virginia when a north bound truck (F250) pulling a large horse trailer lost control and veered off the road crossing the wide grass medium hitting them head on. Both vehicles were totaled, and multiple horses put down on site.

Both of them were cut out of their car and airlifted to the regional hospital. He had upper body damage, but his wife had massive lower body damage including a shattered pelvis, broken hips, and severe internal injuries of major organs. It is a miracle that she survived. It took her 5 months in hospital with a dozen or so surgeries and 18 months rehab of all manner to gain the use of her lower body.

Their lives have been permanently altered. Her personality is now subdued and strained. She is in constant pain, and has been told it will never go away.

We thought he was fully recovered. He was an outstanding gymnast, but at 32 ( 6 months after his hospital release) he had a heart attack, and since has had 2 myocarditis episodes, both requiring a weeks stay in the cardiac ward. He looks perfectly healthy and strong, but he is not.

These type of events profoundly affect the greater family and circle of friends.

And these things happen in the blink of an eye.

 

[got3fords]

Ok, so after some probbing of my local news, the local CBS station looked into this and was able to get a story based on the Va State Police, my information, and a couple of my pics. It supposedly was a '23 Tahoe vs. a 2000 Ranger.
https://www.cbs19news.com/news/vsp-...cle_5755b6b8-6ad8-11ef-8c28-af1277c684ce.html

 

[Bishop]

Not to be a douche, but it was a '00 ranger. Threw me off by that. Absolutely horrible wreck. Hope they all make it out without serious long lasting injury's.

 

[TJC]

10:25 AM with possible alcohol involved. That is pretty early in the morning!

 

[got3fords]

Not to be a douche, but it was a '00 ranger. Threw me off by that. Absolutely horrible wreck. Hope they all make it out without serious long lasting injury's.

Edited, thanks.

 

[got3fords]

I just heard a story on the radio about weekend automobile deaths. It gave the number and where they took place. Apparently the Ranger driver is still with us, as no deaths were mentioned in this county.

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