PNS1Metta Ray
8 people are dead today after a tragic accident on Utah’s southbound interstate 84.
11 men from the Agriculture Systems Department at Utah State University were on their way back from an annual field trip when the driver of the 15 passenger van allegedly lost control of the vehicle and slid off the west side of the interstate just outside of Tremonton, UT. All 10 students and the driver were ejected from the vehicle as it rolled 3-4 times according to Lieutenant Jason Jensen of the Utah State Highway Patrol.
Lt. Jensen was traveling approximately one half mile behind the USU passenger van and was the first officer on the scene. Medical personnel arrived within 5 minutes. Preliminary investigations estimate that the vehicle was traveling approximately 95 MPH and no evidence of seat belt use was apparent.
The driver of the USU owned van was instructor Evan Parker who was pronounced dead at the scene. Five students were also pronounced dead at the scene of the accident and two were taken via life-flight to Ogden Regional Hospital where they were pronounced DOA. There were three survivors who are currently unconscious at Bear River Hospital in Brigham City, UT and Ogden Regional Hospital in Ogden, UT. The names of the students have been concealed until family members can be reached.
Caravanning with the USU agriculture group was alumni Kyle Holden who works at Green Line Equipment (Farm equipment retailer) in Tremonton and travels with the Ag group yearly. “It looked like the tire exploded. There was black smoke and the tire just disappeared.” Says Holden, who was traveling along side the van in his personal vehicle at the time of the crash “I had just set my cruise control at about five over, 80 or 81 maybe” “I was passing Evan, I know it was him because I looked at him” “I saw smoke… his face changed” “I slowed down and I had to swerve out of the way of the van as it tipped and slid onto the side of the road” “It happened so fast, Evan just couldn’t gain control”
Holden was an agriculture student at Utah State 15 years ago and “knew most” of the victims well. “I can’t believe this is happening” said Holden.
Stan L. Albrecht, president of Utah State University, says the group was traveling on a routine field trip in recognition of ‘Ag Week’. The university requires a “detailed inspection every two years” on university owned vehicles according to Albrecht. “This is a great tragedy. Right now we are just dealing with details” said Albrecht.
This accident may undergo a possible federal investigation UHP Lt. Jason Jensen said, “It may be about a month before the Utah Highway Patrol finishes its investigation”.
The possible use of alcohol and drugs is under investigation as well. “These were good kids; some just off missions” says Holden of the inquiry into the use of drugs or alcohol.
Memorial services are being planned by Utah State, details to be announced.
4 comments:
Nice article. Reads like a newspaper, like it's supposed to.
I agree with the other comment, it is very well written just like a real news story would sound. It was very good and informative. Godd Job.
It is hard to believe that organizations are still using these "death trap" 15-passenger vans. It is a disgrace with all the information available that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn't mandated these vans off our roads. It is a disgrace that organizations are so callous toward the safety of their staff and students that they would still use these "death traps". Any organization, especially schools, who use these 15-passenger vans for transportation should be held accountable.
See http://www.15-passenger-van-accidents.com/recalls.shtml and http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/studies/15PassVans/15PassCustomerAdvisory.htm for websites devoted to how dangerous these vehicles are.
Briefly what these websites say is about 86 people a year die as a result of 15 passenger van accidents and have of them die in single vehicle rollover accidents, just like this one.
In June 2004, NHTSA released a warning to consumers stating that 15 passenger vans have a high risk for rollover accidents. Similar warnings were released in 2001 and 2002. Why did this school ignore those warnings?
I advise every person injured in this accident and every family that lost a family member to seek out and retain one of the few very experienced law firms who have handled 15-passenger van cases against the auto makers. Not only is it your right to compensation but more importantly, a lawsuit against the maker of this van will assist in turning the financial tables and encourage the auto makers to produce safer products.....and take this particular vehicle off American highways, saving about 85 lives a year.
There will be a great deal of litigation over this accident. Get an experienced firm on your side early.
John Bisnar, www.californiainjuryblog.com
Great writing! Your words really helped to encapture the color of the story.
Suggestions (Just form my experience):
Metta, I've been docked in the past for fickle details when it comes to AP style so I just wanted to give you the heads up for the best grade.
-Remember to spell out any numbers ten and below and always if they begin a sentence.
-Try to avoid repetition of words in a segment. The only exception as I learned in class on Monday being "said".
But that's all! I envy that you have a handful of blogs already. And again you have a way of painting the "color" into your blogs. I'm new to this whole blog thing but it's becoming more fun as I write.
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