Car auction chaos. )ut-of-control SUV plows into crowd of bystanders at auto sale in Yaphank

Newsday ^ | today | JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER

[Rodney King]

At least 20 people were injured Friday morning when an out-of-control sport utility vehicle about to be auctioned off plowed into bystanders and cars in Yaphank, Suffolk police said.

Smoke and flying car parts sent the crowd of about 500 into panic, witnesses and police said.

The wholesale auto auction at Adesa on Patchogue-Yaphank Road had been under way for almost two hours when the driver of a 2003 Lincoln Navigator set off a chain-reaction crash involving six other vehicles, just before 11 a.m.

It was not known what caused the driver, Louis Amelia, 78, of Moriches, to lose control of the Navigator as he prepared to enter into a line of vehicles waiting to be presented at the auction, Fifth Squad Det. Sgt. Michael Traulli said....

[Rodney King]

It was not known what caused the driver, Louis Amelia, 78, of Moriches, to lose control of the Navigator

Everything you need to know is right there in that sentence.

[elkfersupper]

out-of-control sport utility vehicle about to be auctioned off plowed into bystanders and cars

Apparently, the SUV was in no mood to be auctioned off that day, and thus flew into some kind of rage.

[Semper Paratus]

With all these stories of out of control SUV's maybe a valium additive should be required in their gas tanks?

[hometoroost]

Those whacky SUVs. They really are evil incarnate. Had nothing to do with the old man driving the car. Nope nothing at all.

[NCjim]

Those evil SUVs again... too bad it was not a Cadillac. If it had been, it would not have injured the bystanders. Or more realistically, we would not have heard about it. Who says the leftist MSM does not have an agenda?

[ZinGirl]

Police are looking for the SUV's accomplice in the attack:

[elkfersupper]

I recently took a dog obedience class thinking it would be helpful in disciplining my SUV's. It seems to be working - instant reward or punishment keeps them under control.

[PoliticalVirgin]

"Hell, NO! I won't go!!!!"

[Condor51]

Holy Shiite! Look at the cra stuff this reporterette wrote.
But first this gem: "No summonses were issued and police said the crash appeared accidental."

• The car was impounded for a safety check. (EVIL SUV)
  But grandpa gets off Scot free!
  
• The Navigator eventually stopped inside the auction building (boy that was nice of it)
  
• but its wheels continued to spin furiously (BAD SUV)
  
• The Navigator clipped the back of Bruce Casagrande's legs (BAD SUV, stop that!)
  
• One man couldn't get out of the SUV's path fast enough
  
• Casagrande ...watched him get pinned under the Navigator (the SUV apparently watched too much WWE)
  
• he and several others rushed to lift the SUV off the man (uh, where was 78 yo grandpa)
  
• Casagrande said he was outside when the Navigator -- described on the Lincoln Web site as having V-8 engines that generate 300 horsepower -- came barreling and swerving down the line, at about 50 mph
  (cops say the car was going 20. And what's the point of the V8 and HP being the the article?)
  

And not until the very end do we see this:
"Casagrande said he's been attending Adesa's Yaphank auctions for five years and he's noticed the drivers tend to be elderly. "They're 80 years old," he said. "I don't think they're the best drivers." (gee Sherlock, ya think?)

And this: "a spokesman for Adesa Auctions, based in Carmel, Ind., said they hire a variety of temporary employees as drivers. "I do know that some of the drivers are retirees that's true" (hmmm maybe they should opt for younger Illegal aliens who will work just as cheap) (sarcasm)

btw, 78 yo grandpa appeared in good health and was coherent. (makes me feel warm and fuzzy)

[foobeca]

SUV = Stupid Urban Vehicle.

I don't understand why anyone would want to drive something with the aerodynamics of a barn, the handling of a covered wagon, gas mileage of a 18 wheeler. What's the appeal of a shoebox on wheels?

Most of the people that drive these stupid things are complete posers. I don't have a problem with people that use them for towing or go off-roading. The same goes for trucks, people who use them for farming, construction, or for hauling things don't bother me.

[Rodney King]

I don't understand why anyone would want to drive something with the aerodynamics of a barn, the handling of a covered wagon, gas mileage of a 18 wheeler. What's the appeal of a shoebox on wheels?

It's all image really. And part of the image that the car makers have cultivated is that they in fact handle well. Idiots seem to think that four wheel drive somehow helps with braking and navigating obstacles.

Most of the people that drive these stupid things are complete posers. I don't have a problem with people that use them for towing or go off-roading. The same goes for trucks, people who use them for farming, construction, or for hauling things don't bother me.

Trucks don't bother me. It's true that a lot of people don't need them, but at least the pick-up truck is a long accepted image for a guy, rather than a new fad. Anyway, I don't drive either a pickup or an SUV.

[elkfersupper]

The same goes for trucks, people who use them for farming, construction, or for hauling things don't bother me.

I'll be sure and consult you before my next vehicle purchase, so you're not offended.