The crash. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

MSD · 02-19-2010, 06:36 PM

On January 22, 2010 at approximately 8:27AM, the red van in the following pictures was travelling northbound in the left lane approaching exit 39 on The Merritt Parkway/CT-15. It veered into the northbound right lane, struck a vehicle and deflected into the median, breaking the driver's side front wheel off of 2 of its 3 mountings and planting the front left corner of the van into the pavement, launching it into oncoming traffic. Witnesses state that the van fliped end-over-end three times, striking one car and landing the car it is seen on top of in these pictures. The van was owned by a painting company and fully loaded with supplies, some of which are still on the road at the site of the accident. My estimate based on eyewitness accounts and measurements of impact and resting points lead me to conclude that the van was travelling in excess of 95mph in a posted 55mph limit zone. I retrieved my camera from my car after being assured that my help was not needed and took the following pictures.

The car that was struck traveling northbound and was able to be driven several hundred feet forward to help ease traffic flow northbound.

This was the first of the southbound vehicles struck by the van.

The van came to rest on top of this Subaru.

A CTDOT worker cleans up the mess from the overturned painting company van.

A CTDOT worker throws a detached roof rack into the back of the van.

A state trooper radios a status update as the van is towed from place.

Backed up traffic on the Merritt Parkway heading back toward the hill after exits 40a and 40b. A fellow motorist and I walked down the center line signalling for cars to clear this room for emergency vehicles after emergency services were en route, and the DOT and Norwalk Fire Department guys who saw us signalling for people to get over gave us thumbs-ups and waved.

A fifth vehicle was involved that I could not get into place to take a picture of without risk of interfering with emergency services personnel. All drivers and passengers in the van and 4 cars involved, including an infant in a car seat, were wearing seatbelts and none sustained injuries beyond bruises and scrapes that were treated on the scene.

MexicanOnABike · 02-20-2010, 08:11 AM

Wow! That must have been a scary scene for the last car driver. it's a good thing no one got hurt more than they did. Was the driver intoxicated? driving almost double the speed is a bit extreme!

MSD · 02-20-2010, 05:24 PM

The driver seemed fine, he was probably just distracted (plus this was 8:30 in the morning.)

Redlemon · 02-22-2010, 11:57 AM

95 mph on the Merritt? Anyone going that fast there should be put in jail. Especially with the slopes by Exit 39.

Could you reedit the time and date in your original post? It appears to be 3 days after the OP, and the wrong am/pm.

girldetective · 02-22-2010, 07:29 PM

Thank you, Officer.
Well done!

MSD · 02-26-2010, 01:38 PM

January, not February, but I corrected it to AM. Also, I'm not an officer, just a guy with a camera who happened to be there. These are the highlights of about 85 pictures I took.

Ice|Burn · 03-01-2010, 05:25 PM

I always like looking at these kinds of pictures. I think it partly has to do with that fascination with abomination we all have, and also because I like to try and figure out how the accident was caused from the images.

More proof that speed does kill when the right combination of factors come into play.

MSD · 03-09-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ice|Burn

More proof that speed does kill when the right combination of factors come into play.

Except for the part where nobody was injured.

Ice|Burn · 03-09-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSD

Except for the part where nobody was injured.

No, but at least one car was severely injured.

My point was that under the right circumstances any one can get in over their heads no matter how well equipped or experienced they are.

02-19-2010, 06:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	The crash. On January 22, 2010 at approximately 8:27AM, the red van in the following pictures was travelling northbound in the left lane approaching exit 39 on The Merritt Parkway/CT-15. It veered into the northbound right lane, struck a vehicle and deflected into the median, breaking the driver's side front wheel off of 2 of its 3 mountings and planting the front left corner of the van into the pavement, launching it into oncoming traffic. Witnesses state that the van fliped end-over-end three times, striking one car and landing the car it is seen on top of in these pictures. The van was owned by a painting company and fully loaded with supplies, some of which are still on the road at the site of the accident. My estimate based on eyewitness accounts and measurements of impact and resting points lead me to conclude that the van was travelling in excess of 95mph in a posted 55mph limit zone. I retrieved my camera from my car after being assured that my help was not needed and took the following pictures. The car that was struck traveling northbound and was able to be driven several hundred feet forward to help ease traffic flow northbound. This was the first of the southbound vehicles struck by the van. The van came to rest on top of this Subaru. A CTDOT worker cleans up the mess from the overturned painting company van. A CTDOT worker throws a detached roof rack into the back of the van. A state trooper radios a status update as the van is towed from place. Backed up traffic on the Merritt Parkway heading back toward the hill after exits 40a and 40b. A fellow motorist and I walked down the center line signalling for cars to clear this room for emergency vehicles after emergency services were en route, and the DOT and Norwalk Fire Department guys who saw us signalling for people to get over gave us thumbs-ups and waved. A fifth vehicle was involved that I could not get into place to take a picture of without risk of interfering with emergency services personnel. All drivers and passengers in the van and 4 cars involved, including an infant in a car seat, were wearing seatbelts and none sustained injuries beyond bruises and scrapes that were treated on the scene. Last edited by MSD; 02-26-2010 at 01:37 PM..

02-20-2010, 08:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
MexicanOnABike Location: up north	Wow! That must have been a scary scene for the last car driver. it's a good thing no one got hurt more than they did. Was the driver intoxicated? driving almost double the speed is a bit extreme! __________________ - Movie Reviews - Ratings-

02-22-2010, 11:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	95 mph on the Merritt? Anyone going that fast there should be put in jail. Especially with the slopes by Exit 39. Could you reedit the time and date in your original post? It appears to be 3 days after the OP, and the wrong am/pm. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

02-22-2010, 07:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
girldetective sufferable	Thank you, Officer. Well done! __________________ As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons...be cheerful; strive for happiness - Desiderata

03-01-2010, 05:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ice\|Burn Insane Location: California	I always like looking at these kinds of pictures. I think it partly has to do with that fascination with abomination we all have, and also because I like to try and figure out how the accident was caused from the images. More proof that speed does kill when the right combination of factors come into play. __________________ "I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." -Stephen F. Roberts IF PWNED > OWNED and PWNED=PWNAGE and OWN<PWN but PWN<PWNED and OWNAGE>OWN then what does OWNAGE+PWN equal?

02-20-2010, 05:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	The driver seemed fine, he was probably just distracted (plus this was 8:30 in the morning.)

02-26-2010, 01:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	January, not February, but I corrected it to AM. Also, I'm not an officer, just a guy with a camera who happened to be there. These are the highlights of about 85 pictures I took.