Vehicle slams into Moreland Avenue restaurant.

Date: 09/26/2012
Time: Around 7:45 A.M.
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Vehicle(s) Involved: Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition, Audi, Chevy Silverado

By AJC

"No one was seriously injured Wednesday morning when a vehicle slammed into a fast food restaurant in southeast Atlanta.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, four vehicles — a Lincoln Navigator, a Ford Expedition, a pickup truck and an Audi — were involved in a wreck about 7:45 a.m. at the intersection of Moreland and East Confederate avenues, and the Navigator came to a stop inside the nearby Zesto restaurant.
GSP Senior Trooper Larry Schnall said that the driver of the Expedition was southbound on Moreland Avenue when she lost control, striking several other vehicles and setting off a chain reaction crash.
The Navigator “traveled airborne into the building, causing significant damage to the establishment,” Schnall said. “Fortunately, no one was inside.”
The restaurant was scheduled to open at 10 a.m., according to the Zesto’s website.
Schnall said three of the four drivers were transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries that were believed to be minor. He said investigators had not yet determined what caused the Expedition driver to lose control of her vehicle.
“Myself and my partner were across the street and partially witnessed this accident,” Schnall told the AJC. “We saw the Navigator go airborne into the building, and my first reaction was, wow, if this place was open for business, someone very well could have been seriously injured or multiple fatalities.”"

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Car strikes tree trapping driver inside.

Date: 11/12/2012
Time: Around 1:00 P.M.
Location: Grand Island, New York
Vehicle(s) Involved: Chevy Silverado

By WIVB 4 - Liz Reiman

"GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Accident Investigation Unit is looking into a fatal crash that happened in Grand Island just before 1p.m. Sunday afternoon.
56-year-old Barry Vanderbrook of Grand Island was operating the vehicle when he lost control causing him to leave the road and crash into a pole and tree.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Crews from the Grand Island Fire Company responded to the scene and extricated the driver from the truck.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation"

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South Beloit man killed in truck crash on I-90 near Elgin.

Date: 03/23/2010
Time: Around 7:30 A.M.
Location: Elgin, Illinois
Vehicle(s) Involved: Semi truck, Chevy Silverado

By Larissa Chinwah - Daily Herald Staff

"A South Beloit man was killed Tuesday morning after his pickup truck collided with a semi truck on the Jane Addams Tollway, just west of Randall Road in Elgin.

Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Thomas Gartner said Michael Covert, 43, of South Beloit, was driving a black pickup truck west on I-90 about 7:30 a.m. when the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into the rear of a semi truck parked on the shoulder. Gartner said it is unclear why the pickup left the roadway and the accident remains under investigation.

One westbound lane was closed immediately after the accident but all lanes have since reopened. The two vehicles have also been removed from the scene.

No one in the semi truck was injured in the crash."

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HP: 87-year-old had heart attack just before double-fatal wreck.

Date: 05/09/2012
Time: Around 2:00 P.M.
Location: Gilbert, South Carolina
Vehicle(s) Involved: Ford Focus, Ford Mustang, Chevy Silverado

By Jason Old - WISTV10

"GILBERT, SC (WIS) - An elderly man had a heart attack causing him to run through a stop sign Wednesday afternoon and cause a three-vehicle accident that took the lives of two people, including himself, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The accident happened a little after 2 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 378 and Shore Road near Lake Murray. Highway 378 was closed for about 2 hours while crews investigated the accident and cleared the scene.
The Highway Patrol said the 87-year-old driver of a 2009 Ford Focus, identified by the Lexington County Coroner's office as (censored), failed to stop at the stop sign on Shore Road at 378 and crashed into a pickup truck. The collision forced the pickup into the eastbound lanes of 378 where it was hit by a Ford Mustang.
According to the Highway Patrol, three people were taken to the hospital. The 62-year-old  driver of the pickup, (censored)., was airlifted with serious injuries, and later pronounced dead at the hospital. Butzich was taken to Lexington Medical Center by ambulance and later pronounced dead.
"I was shocked and saddened to hear the news of Ed's death," said Pastor Jeff Kersey of Hartung.  
He said Hartung was a quiet, humble leader at Mount Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington. Hartung was active with the church's ramp ministry.
 Ed and his team regularly built ramps for the elderly and the handicapped in the community.
"Just yesterday morning Ed was out constructing a ramp for one of our elderly members," said Kersey.  "Even on the day he died he was out serving."
"Why did someone like Ed have to die this way?" asked Kersey.  "We don't know the answer until we step into eternity ourselves. We should be asking what can God do with this how will he use his life to make a difference in our world."
The driver of the Mustang was also taken to Lexington Medical Center by ambulance. She was treated for minor injuries and released.
The accident is being investigated by the Highway Patrol."

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OSP looking for witness in Roseburg crash.

Date: 04/23/2012
Time: Around 12:30 P.M.
Location: Roseburg, Oregon
Vehicle(s) Involved: Nissan Altima, Chevy Silverado

By KPIC.com Staff

"ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Oregon State Police are looking for a witness who saw a minor injury traffic crash Monday afternoon at the Edenbower Boulevard overpass and Interstate 5 in Roseburg.

The witness stopped at the scene but left before OSP troopers could get a statement as part of their investigation.

According to Senior Trooper Robert Gorman, at about 12:30 p.m., a two-vehicle head-on crash occurred on the Edenbower Boulevard overpass at Interstate 5.
The crash involved an eastbound black 2006 Nissan Altima driven by Abby Butts, 33, of Winston, and a blue 2003 Chevrolet pickup driven by Donald Pitmon, 77, from Roseburg, as both vehicles entered the intersection.

Butts was transported by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center with minor injuries and troopers say Pitmon was not injured.

An unidentified adult female driving a red Ford Ranger pickup reportedly stopped at the scene but didn't provide a name or phone number, nor remain and provide a statement to police.
OSP is asking this witness or any others who saw the crash to contact Senior Trooper Gorman for a statement at (541) 440-3334 ext. 4716.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Douglas County Fire District No. 2, ODOT and Roseburg Police Department."

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Two-car, head-on collision with serious injuries on Indian Falls Road.

Date: 07/07/2011
Time: Around 5:00 P.M.
Location: Pembroke, New York
Vehicle(s) Involved: Chevy Blazer, Chevy Silverado

By Billie Owens - The Batavian

"A two-car, head-on collision accident is reported on Indian Falls Road in the area of Pratt Road. Both drivers will need extrication. One of them is unresponsive and has three minors as passengers.
East Pembroke Fire Department is responding, along with mutual aid from Pembroke and Indian Falls, plus two Mercy EMS units. Two Mercy Flight helicopters are called in and a landing zone is being set up on the corner of Pratt and Indian Falls roads.
An Oakfield medic is on scene and a rig out of Oakfield is called to respond, too. Corfu Fire Police are called to handle traffic control and to shut down Indian Falls Road.
UPDATE 5:21 p.m.: A third Mercy Flight helicopter is called for, and is available, but a crew needs to be assembled. They are working to do that and will advise.
UPDATE 5:22 p.m.: The first helicopter is on the ground. Indian Falls at Route 5 is being closed to traffic.
UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: A second landing zone is being set up north of the scene, on the southeast corner of Indian Falls and Cleveland roads.
UPDATE 5:27 p.m.: A third helicopter has secured a crew and is 15 minutes away.
UPDATE 5:30 p.m.: A third landing zone is being set up at Kilian and Slusser roads.
UPDATE 5:33 p.m.: The second helicopter has landed, but not at the site originally designated. It's at Pratt and Indian Falls roads, where the first helicopter landed.
UPDATE 5:37: "Mercy Flight is advising they have a fourth helicopter if Squad 2 can ride on it."
UPDATE 5:38 p.m.: A fourth helicopter will not be needed.
UPDATE 5:41 p.m.: All patients have been extricated.
UPDATE 5:43 p.m.: Oakfield medics are en route to UMMC with two small children on board.
UPDATE 5:46 p.m.: The last helicopter has landed. The first chopper is headed to Women & Children's Hospital in Buffalo.
UPDATE 5:56 p.m.: The second helicopter is headed to Erie County Medical Center.
UPDATE 6 p.m.: The last helicopter is headed to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester at the patient's request.
UPDATE 7:48 p.m.: All East Pembroke units back in service. The road is reopened.
UPDATE 10:11 p.m.: A caller has told dispatchers that a television news crew is setting up in the area of the accident with very bright lights, "blinding drivers." A deputy is responding."

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School Bus, Pickup Truck Crash in Huffman

Date: 04/26/2012
Time: Around 2:20 P.M.
Location: Houston, Texas
Vehicle(s) Involved: School bus, Chevy Silverado

By JOHN PERERA

"HOUSTON - Several students and a 43-year-old man were injured after a pickup truck slammed into a school bus in Huffman, Texas.
The accident happened around 2:20 p.m. on FM 2100 near FM 1960, according to the Huffman Independent School District. The pickup truck reportedly hit the school bus head-on.
Some students on the bus suffered minor injuries. They are being evaluated by emergency crews.
The 43-year-old man was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital by a LifeFlight helicopter. He was last listed in stable condition."

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1 killed in I-85 crash.

Date: 12/16/2011
Time: Around 2:00 A.M.
Location: Near Duluth, Georgia
Vehicle(s) Involved: Chevy Silverado, Suzuki Grand Vitara

By wsbtv2

"GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A crash on a Gwinnett County interstate left one person dead Friday morning.

The crash happened around 2 a.m. on Interstate 85 South at the ramp to Steve Reynolds Boulevard. Several lanes of the interstate were shut down for hours while authorities investigated.

Witnesses said a pickup truck was going pretty fast when it clipped a small SUV carrying Sam and Kathleen Moka. They were headed to the airport when they were hit. Witnesses said the pickup truck flew across the interstate, up an embankment and landed on the Steve Reynolds ramp.

“We were looking for the car that hit us, until the witnesses came to us and said, ‘Oh, it's way over the ramp there,’” Kathleen Moka told Channel 2’s Sophia Choi.

The Mokas said their SUV spun several times before stopping on I-85. They are OK, but someone in the other car was thrown from the vehicle and died.

All lanes of the interstate reopened around 4:30 a.m."

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Double Fatality Crash on Highway 101 Near Wheeler.

Date: 09/17/2011
Time: Around 3:14 P.M.
Location: Near Wheeler, Oregon
Vehicle(s) Involved: Dodge Caravan, Chevy Silverado

By Salem-News

"Yesterday at 3:14pm, a two vehicle traffic crash occurred on Highway 101 just south of Wheeler. Two passengers of one of the vehicles involved died as a result of injuries sustained during the crash. A third passenger of the same vehicle was seriously injured.

The crash occurred when the driver of a southbound 2006 Dodge Caravan lost control of her vehicle on a curve to the left and spun into the northbound lane. The van was struck on the right side by a northbound 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup. Both vehicles were totaled as a result of the crash.
The driver of the Dodge Caravan, Bobbi (Name), age 49, from The Dalles was transported to Tillamook County General Hospital via ambulance where she was treated for minor injuries and released. Two passengers of the Dodge Caravan, (Name), age 71, and (Name), age 8, both from The Dalles, died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained during the crash. Two additional passengers, (Name) age 45, and (Name) age 16, both also from The Dalles, were transported via ambulance to Tillamook County General Hospital. Sandra Arnold was treated for non life threatening injuries and later released. Kim Arnold was seriously injured as a result of the crash. She was transported from Tillamook County General Hospital to OHSU via ambulance due to the extent of her injuries.
The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado pickup, (Name), age 47, and his passenger, (Name), age 9, both from Castle Rock, WA, were transported from the scene to Tillamook County General Hospital via ambulance. They were both treated for minor injuries and later released.
Investigation revealed that safety belts were used by all occupants of both vehicles.
Oregon State Police personnel from the Tillamook Worksite and the McMinnville Patrol Office investigated the crash. Assisting at the scene were the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, Manzanita Department of Public Safety, Tillamook Ambulance, Pacific West Ambulance, Nehalem Bay Fire and Rescue, Garibaldi Fire and Rescue, Rockaway Fire and Rescue and ODOT.
News Release from: Oregon State Police"

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Fatal Traffic Crash Involving Wrong Way Driver – I5 South of Albany.

Date: 09/10/2011
Time: Around 9:15 P.M.
Location: Near Albany, Oregon
Vehicle(s) Involved: Chevy Cobalt, Chevy Silverado, Jeep Grand Cherokee

By Salem-News

"Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Saturday night’s wrong way driver-involved fatal traffic crash that resulted in the death of the at-fault driver, a 71-year old Tillamook man, and non-life threatening injuries to four other people. OSP is asking anyone with information regarding where the victim was prior to the traffic crash to please contact Trooper Casey Hunter at (541) 967-2026 ext. 4250.

According to Lieutenant Mark Cotter, on September 10, 2011 at 9:13 p.m. OSP Northern Command Center dispatch received a report of a vehicle driving northbound in the southbound lanes at milepost 219 about three miles north of Exit 216 and nine miles south of the Highway 34 interchange (Exit 228). Trooper Hunter was the only trooper on duty in the Albany area and responded south from milepost 238.
Two minutes later at 9:15 p.m., OSP was notified of a head-on collision in the southbound lanes near milepost 221. Shortly after emergency responders arrived on scene it was confirmed the wrong way driver, Monty Robert Floyd Upshaw,, age 71, from Tillamook, was deceased.
Preliminary investigation indicates a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by UpsHAW was northbound in the southbound lanes when it sideswiped a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Kailani K. Brown, age 31, from Springfield, then collided head-on with a 2005 Chevrolet pickup driven by Osiel Millan Figueroa, age 35, from Coos Bay.
Brown was not injured.
The pickup contained five occupants. The driver and three passengers received non-life threatening injuries and were transported to hospitals in Albany and Corvallis for treatment. The injured passengers were identified as Margarito Millan Figueroa, age 42; Loreto Garcia Rojas, age 32; and, Carmela Estrada Flores, age 34. A 2-year old male child passenger had no reported injury. All pickup occupants are from Coos Bay.
OSP troopers from Albany and Springfield were assisted at the scene by Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Lebanon Police Department, Lebanon Fire Department, Halsey Fire Department, and ODOT. Southbound traffic was routed onto the shoulder until all lanes were opened at 1:20 a.m.
Cotter said alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor in this crash.
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% of all fatal crashes nationally.
Wrong way drivers usually drive in the inside lane or inside shoulder, believing they are actually on a two-lane highway. Most common types of wrong way driver involved crashes are head-on or sideswipe crashes.
The following information and safety tips are offered related to wrong way drivers.
Who is the wrong way driver?

• * Intoxicated driver
• * Older drivers who easily get confused
• * Intentional drivers (example – trying to avoid traffic jams / congestion caused by crashes)
• * Inattentive drivers who mistake an off ramp for an on ramp

Safety Tips:

• * 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 inside lane on freeways, especially on curves."

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Driver impaled in crash with travel trailer.

Date: 09/08/2011
Time: 9:30 A.M.
Location: Near Terrebonne, Oregon
Vehicle(s) Involved: Chrysler Concorde, Toyota Yaris, Chevy pickup

By KVAL News

"TERREBONE, Ore. - A piece of wood from a travel trailer impaled an oncoming driver in the chest as his car crossed into oncoming traffic on Highway 97 Thursday and hit the trailer before smacking into another car nearly head-on.

Joshua Wagenblast, 28, of Madras from pulled from the wreckage by medical personal and rushed by helicopter to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend.
A second motorist, Susan Kasting, 63, of Bend suffered serious injuries when Wagenblast's car hit her car nearly head-on.
The crash happened around 9:32 a.m. on Thursday, about five miles north of Terrebonne.
State police said Wagenblast was southbound in a 2000 Chrysler Concorde when he crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic. His car struck the side side of a 2000 Chevrolet pickup pulling a 27-foot travel trailer, continued down the trailer's left side before striking another oncoming vehicle, Kasting's 2008 Toyota Yaris.
The driver and passenger in the pickup were not injured.
Kasting was trapped in her car and had to be pulled from the wreckage by emergency personnel. Police described her injuries as serious.
A piece of wooden framework from the travel trailer pierced the windshield of Wagenblast's car and impaled him thorugh his upper left chest, police said.
Highway 97 was shut down entirely for about 90 minutes while emergency responders treated the victims.
A landing zone was established on the highway for Air Link to land south of the crash scene.
The highway was partially closed for about 3 hours before being opened to intermittent travel while tow trucks removed the vehicles.
OSP troopers from the Bend Area Command office are continuing the investigation into the cause of the crash."

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