Two Killed On Highway 101 By Passing SUV

KOIN News ^ | 4/4/2005

[new cruelty]

NEWPORT, Ore. -- Two people were killed Saturday on Highway 101 near the Sea Lion Caves.

A Ford Excursion was passing several vehicles when the lead car in the line made a left turn and was broadsided by the Excursion.

Oregon State Police said 23-year-old Trina Eyler and her passenger, 24-year-old Scott Carlson, both died.

The driver of the Excursion, 20-year-old Salina Taylor-Caldwell, was treated for minor injuries.

OSP is investigating the crash.

[Spktyr]

It is not illegal to pass multiple cars in this state, when it is safe to do so and not otherwise excluded by road signs or markings. It sounds like everyone was stacking up behind the "lead car", who was obviously driving too slowly (line of cars). They should have pulled over and let people pass (legal and recommended in my state). Instead, they pulled out either at random or to try to "punish" the SUV by playing "speed enforcer."

[Hoboto]

Seriously, does anyone really NEED an SUV that big?

How did we ever survive without them??!!

[Spktyr]

My Jeep (not an SUV - "My Jeep is not an SUV; your SUV is not a Jeep.") is sitting out in the garage with the engine out. Not going anywhere for a while....

[Spktyr]

We bought larger cars. Yes, they used to make cars bigger than that Excursion. However, by your logic, all guns, computers, and cell phones should be banned, because you don't *need* them.

[RushCrush]

Not only did my SUV go through the McD's drive through, but it SUPERSIZED my order! I'm doomed.

[Kretek]

Actually, it sounds like a case of relentless me-me-me-ism, commonly found in Silly Useless Vehicle drivers. Can't wait a minute or two, gotta pass those people waiting, etc.

[Hoboto]

[Disambiguator]

Don't inject the NEED argument here. If someone wants an Excursion, more power to them. I drive one as part of my job, and there are times that we need the size and power (it's the turbo-diesel). I would rather drive it than a smaller SUV, such as a Cherokee.

[scripter]

For folks that don't know about Hwy 101, it is a twisty-windy two lane Hwy on the coast (one lane in either direction).

I think you're thinking of Hwy 1...

[normy]

Reminds me of a line in an episode of King of the Hill. Bobby quits football to play soccer. Peggy sits with all the soccer moms at the game, sweaters tied around their waists chatting instead of watching the game. One of the moms says " I love my new SUV, it has seat warmers, leather, and its so safe. If I ever get in an accident I'll live."

[dalereed]

"Something must be done to stop these creatures"

Make it illegal to manufacture or sell small unibody POS things called cars!

[reagan_fanatic]

I live in an area of about 350,000 people. It NEVER fails to amaze me how stupid people can be behind the wheel, how dangerous some of their actions are and their blatant disregard for other peple's safety.

It's incredible that people aren't hurt or killed more often than they are. Maybe it's just blind luck - I don't know.

[Kretek]

their blatant disregard for other peple's safety.

And read the cheerleading for that on this very thread. Sigh.

[wyattearp]

It is not illegal to pass multiple cars in this state, when it is safe to do so and not otherwise excluded by road signs or markings. It sounds like everyone was stacking up behind the "lead car", who was obviously driving too slowly (line of cars).

That is exactly what 101 is like. It is always a line of cars stacked up behind some slow jerk that wont use the cut-outs. However, the lead car was making a left turn and got hit broadside. The people that got hit may have been driving slowly to find a turn-off, or whatever.

However, it sounds like the driver of the SUV could not see the lead car, and was trying to pass the entire line of cars anyways. Doesn't sound very safe to me. Two people died. I suspect that the gal in the SUV is going to wind up doing some serious time over this.

[Kretek]

Might makes right, eh?

[Hoboto]

We bought larger cars. Yes, they used to make cars bigger than that Excursion. However, by your logic, all guns, computers, and cell phones should be banned, because you don't *need* them.

And then the gas crisis of the 70's hit.

Smaller SUV's aren't that bad, but unless you're towing something, larger SUV's are pointless. Unlike the your comparison to guns, computers & cell phones.

In 20 years, scrapyards throughtout the country will be full of large SUV's. I want to see more wagons offered by the automakers.

[Spktyr]

As one of my friends who drives an enormous 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 says via bumper sticker:

"ARE YOU MY NEXT CRUMPLE ZONE?"

[Peace will be here soon]

The article is unclear to the event that unfolded. Was the SUV driver passing against traffic? Was it legal to make such a move in this area?

But I had a similar accident years ago.

It was a two lane road with a turning lane about 100 feet up , by the signal light. Drivers would sometimes pass the line of cars backed up from the light to get up to the turning lane ( it was illegal to do this by the way !! ). Usually they would cheat a few cars at a time to make it to the turning lane sooner.

I was in the line of cars making a turn into a shopping center ( probably 200 feet back from the begining of the turning lane ) and was broadsided by an idiot passing against traffic, trying to get ahead to the turning lane. The guy was passing at least 10-15 cars at the time.

Then the guy tried to nail me for the accident by saying he was already in the turning lane (stopped and waiting for the light ) and I just turned into him ! Problem was, the damage was so severe to the cars, it would have been impossible for that to have happened. The whole side of my car was wiped out. So the insurance co. nailed for the full bill, and deemed him the cause of the accident. Which he absolutely was.

[Spktyr]

How do you know someone that owns a large SUV doesn't tow something with it? Unless it doesn't have a trailer hitch, which most do. Or, if it's a diesel (like most Excursions), how do you know they aren't a GreaseCar conversion or running on biodiesel? How do you know that they don't *need* the dry cargo space?

Someone like you busted my chops for driving my Jeep Grand Wagoneer on a regular basis until they 1) saw me towing a car trailer with a car, and 2) saw me load the thing up to the roof with computers and supplies for their company. I much prefer driving my Z, but large trucks and such have their purposes.

[Kieri]

SUV's are popular because they're so dang practical. I drive a minivan. The thing is an underpowered whale but I love it dearly because it lets me haul groceries while still keeping the kids in separate seats. I also drive the interstate a lot, which is a major truck route. I'd be TERRIFIED if I drove anything smaller. Those *(#&$ semi's are a pain in the arse, throw debris such as stones and retread all over the road (my van has front end damage because of it), slow down traffic, occupy the passing lane when they shouldn't be, and cut off passenger vehicles. When they finally do widen I-94 in a few years it will be a serious pain traffic-wise, but it needed to be done long ago.