Another Trooper (Ohio) Killed In Avoidable Accident

911

911

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While aiding another disabled semi, the Trooper was parked behind the semi in front of him. Another semi plowed into the Trooper crushing him. The Trooper was inside his cruiser at the time.

If there is no traffic in the left lane on a multi-lane highway, drivers are urged by law to cross the dashed white line and move over to avoid a possible accident and/or injury. If it’s a 2-lane highway, drivers are urged by law, to slow down to 20mph, if approaching an emergency vehicle with their lights on. It’s not complicated and everyone stays safe.

In PA, failure to obey this law is an immediate citation. No warning.

Trooper Killed
 

I think some people steer towards whatever they are looking at and this is the end result. Flying an airplane, we never have that problem. We set the autopilot at whatever heading the traffic controller gives us and let it go.

How’s the old Ronco saying go, which is something like, “Set it and forget it.” Remember Ron Popeil? I always make an effort to move over when passing a cop car with the lights on. It’s the law.
 
oldman said:
I think some people steer towards whatever they are looking at and this is the end result. Flying an airplane, we never have that problem. We set the autopilot at whatever heading the traffic controller gives us and let it go.

How’s the old Ronco saying go, which is something like, “Set it and forget it.” Remember Ron Popeil? I always make an effort to move over when passing a cop car with the lights on. It’s the law.
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Sometimes I wish my planes had autopilots, but then again, where's the fun in flying if all you do is sit and watch the scenery roll by?
 

I saw a picture of the car after the accident. It appears the the Trooper was cut out of his cruiser. What was left of the cruiser looked like a soup can that had been crushed.

Crushed Cruiser

Question now is, “Will the driver of the rig that hit the Trooper’s cruiser be charged?” In some instances of this type of situation, I have seen no charges and if there is a coroner’s inquest we never know what the outcome will be. I would imagine the driver who hit the cruiser had a BAC and drug test and his cellphone records would have been subpoenaed to make sure he wasn’t on his cellphone at the moment of the accident. I don’t even want to guess if charges will be filed.

A coroner’s inquest does not adjudicate guilt or innocence. It’s really just a gathering of evidence to aid the coroner in determining manner and/or cause of death and it also aids the Prosecutor in determining whether or not to go ahead with charges. It can be held with or without a jury.
 
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BJintheUK said:
Sometimes I wish my planes had autopilots, but then again, where's the fun in flying if all you do is sit and watch the scenery roll by?
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There’s plenty to do for the two pilots in the cockpit, even while using the autopilot. I know some people think it’s nap time, but that has never happened in any of my flights. Gauges have to be monitored, communications with the tower and passengers are continuously being used. We also prepare to follow our waypoints and changing headings, we keep an eye on the weather ahead of us and check ACARS to make sure the plane is operating properly.

If we get into a line of rough turbulence, we try to find a better altitude for a better ride, so we talk to the controllers or other planes in the area and ask if anyone has reported an an altitude with a smoother ride. We always have to as the controllers for permission to change flight levels.

There are many times, we can’t get out of it and have to keep the seat belt sign lit, which displeases the passengers. We do allow them to use the lavatories, but only one at a time. We can’t have anyone standing in line by FAA rules. There are times, if the turbulence gets very rough, one of us will hand fly the plane for better control while trying to also get a smoother ride. Of course, if we cross the jet stream, we usually expect a short stint of turbulence.
 
My parents showed respect for those that we now refer to as "first responder" and so that has come very easy and natural for me. Those willing to run toward danger deserve respect. Sure there are occasional bad apples bobbing around, but what would things be without those individuals. I give no quarter to the cancel culture mentatlity, and frankly wonder why we as parents would ever allow it to flourish in our family. In short to me that negative aspect all too present today is the result of the family unit breakdown is at the root of the issue.
 
I have received a number of citations for speeding from state police. I admit that I deserved each one and never cried over spilled milk.
I paid the fines and moved on. My worse ticket was driving 94 in a 65 zone. The fine was over $300 plus 3 points.

The trooper asked me if I was a pilot. I asked him how did he know. He told me he thought I was because he saw my uniform
hanging in my back seat. I forgot I had picked up the coat at the cleaner. He told me to slow down. My vehicle doesn’t have wings.
 
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In 2003 Ontario, Canada enacted a "Move Over Law" for all emergency vehicles assisting roadside emergencies, including tow-trucks. Heavy penalties attached for violations!

"In Ontario, the fine for violating the "move over law" is between $490 and $2,000 for a first offense, plus three demerit points. Subsequent offenses can result in a fine of $1,000 to $4,000, up to six months in jail, and a driver's license suspension for up to two years.

The need for this law is due to a universal driving tendency "Traget Fixation"; because everyone's natural response is to steer toward your visual focus point - you go where your looking. Giving that extra lane gives drivers a little extra time to correct or get past the stopped vehicles.
 
JustDave said:
I'm not sure a Piper Cub cruises at 94 miles per hour.
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I was driving my GMC Envoy that day. I was heading to the airport in Washington D.C. (IAD), which is really inside the Virginia line when a Virginia State Police trooper stopped me on I-495. Nice man and I told him right away I was speeding for no other reason than I was in a hurry. I wasn’t late for my flight. I usually drive fast and my wife has always complained about my speed. I have slowed down since I retired.
 
Charges are still pending for the dump truck driver until the investigation is completed.

In instances like this, people often wonder why it’s taking so long to charge the driver that ran into the Trooper’s vehicle killing him. The D.A. or Prosecutor is probably waiting on the results of the toxicology test, the dump truck driver’s cellphone calls and reviewing any eyewitness accounts of what they saw.

When going to court, the Prosecutor has to be able to prove his or her accusations. This is why they must wait until all of the evidence has been gathered and then verified. It is or can be a lengthy process. However, the Ohio State Highway Patrol have indicated that changes are forthcoming. I think what’s most important here is that if the semi and the police vehicle were far enough off the roadway that the vehicles were on the berm or the shoulder. If the dump truck driver’s attorneys can prove that even one part of the 2 vehicles were on the roadway, it could be enough to sway the jury not to convict.
 

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