Driver Hit While on Radio Call-in Show

Newsday.com ^ | 12/9/03 | Peter Goodman

[raccoonradio]

In a frightening moment when reality radio turned all too real Tuesday morning, motorist Cheryl Picker of Shoreham was debating the Michael Jackson sexual-abuse case on the air when her sport utility vehicle was hit and rolled over on the William Floyd Parkway. Picker had just finished telling radio talk-show host Curtis Sliwa, "Maybe those are the parents that are the pedophiles," when listeners to WABC/770 AM heard a loud crash, the sound of crackling glass, tearing metal and then silence. "Cheryl, are you OK?" co-host Ron Kuby said. "Cheryl? Cheryl?" A faint voice responded, "Please call the cops." Sliwa and Kuby could be heard trying simultaneously to reach her and to get help. Eventually a male voice said, "We're calling for an ambulance, ma'am." "No, no, I've gotta get out of the car," Picker shouted. As calls from witnesses poured into the station, the victim was removed from her 1998 Toyota RAV 4 and taken to John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson, where she was kept overnight, Sliwa said. A witness who did not give his name told Suffolk County police that Picker was stopped by the side of the road when her car was hit from behind. No charges were filed against her or John Apperson of Rocky Point, driver of the 1999 Chevrolet that hit her, police said. Apperson was not hurt. "There have been a lot of strange incidences in 12 years on the radio, but this takes the cake," Sliwa said later in a telephone interview. "The only thing that came close was two hours I spent on the air talking a jumper down from the George Washington Bridge. "You always realize, particularly in drive time, that it's crunch time for the motorist going to and from work," Sliwa said, with no apparent irony. "It's bumper to bumper."

[raccoonradio]

The call was replayed on yesterday's Sean Hannity Show (nationally syndicated; originates from WABC).

According to anectodage.com, this isn't the first time a talkradio caller has been involved in a car accident while "on-air":

"In November 2000, Republican Massachusetts businessman Jack E. Robinson challenged Ted Kennedy (the Democratic incumbent) for a seat in the U.S. Senate. His campaign got off to a shaky start: "Hours after formally announcing his candidacy, Robinson found himself in a three-car accident, which occurred while he was conducting a live radio interview via cellphone [to Boston University's lib-leaning WBUR-FM]. (Listeners were treated to the sounds of squealing tires and slamming metal.) Topping things off, a witness accused Robinson of trying to flee the scene of the accident - an unfortunate leveller in a race against Kennedy..."

[Conspiracy Guy]

Did the driver that hit her have an opposing view? Is this a hate crime?

[fishtank]

duplicate

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1037666/posts

[metalboy]

Why is there a law against yapping on a cell phone while driving again?

[syriacus]

rolled over on the William Floyd Parkway.

She was in Suffolk County. I hope she was obeying the law and using a hands-free 'phone.

[alisasny]

she was actually pulled over and on the shoulder while she was hit. She was not driving while talking.

[EggsAckley]

She wasn't driving. She was parked off the road.

[Old Sarge]

Oh, I truly don't know how to react to this one - whether to laugh at the caller, pray for her safety, castigate her for cel use while driving, do a "D'OH!" slap when she finds out she was breaking the no-drive-cel law and confessed on live radio, or just think there but for the grace go I.

[justlurking]

Why is there a law against yapping on a cell phone while driving again?

Read the article again. It says that she was stopped on the side of the road.

[Veracious Poet]

Another case-in-point supporting outlawing cellphone use while driving.

Some people just aren't skilled enough behind the wheel to add any "extracellular" activity...lol! ;-)

The only drivers worse than LI residents are their NJ kin.

[CzarNicky]

"A witness who did not give his name told Suffolk County police that Picker was stopped by the side of the road when her car was hit from behind."

I thought pulling over was supposed to be safer.

[justlurking]

Read the article again:

A witness who did not give his name told Suffolk County police that Picker was stopped by the side of the road when her car was hit from behind.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

It was a SIV. This evil SUV must have backed into the
car behind it.

[SouthernFreebird]

Comprehension skills run amock today.

[South40]

Curtis Sliwa has his own radio show?

Air time must be cheap these days.

[flashbunny]

That's what the anti-cell phone people would have you believe. In fact cell phone use is one of the lowest factors in car crashes, behind things like eating and just adjusting your radio.

I think AAA did a study that confirmed that the hype behind cell phone laws was unfounded and also belittled the idea that you should have to pull over to make or receive a phone call - all those people trying to get from traffic to the side of the road and then back again would create more of a hazard than just driving and talking.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I was driving the other day and dropped my cellphone in my cup of coffee. The hot liquid in my lap made me toss my cordless razor out the window. The razor went through the windshield of the State Trooper Cruiser that was tailgating me with these silly blue lights on. I kept speeding up but he just kept tailgating me. I was doing close to 100 when I finally jammed on the breaks and crossed 2 lanes of traffic to stop on the shoulder. The dang fool tried to follow me but he got rammed by the 18 wheeler in the center lane. Since my cell phone wouldn't work any more I got off at the next exit and reported him at by payphone.

Crazy State Troopers.

[Norse]

LOL, that's the funniest story i've ever heard. People can be so stupid

[mr.pink]

Read the article again. It says that she was stopped on the side of the road.

Gotta' wonder about the IQ of a person who would actually pull over and stop a car to call a radio show about M Jackson.

[longfellow]

Then you'll pee your pants if you hear the tape!