Photo of Bush with officer Jason Schecterle (Badly injured in crash - getting better!)

azfamily ^

[chance33_98]

This guy and his family have been through some extremely tough times of late - prayers up and a thank you to Bush for metting with him.

[chance33_98]

Stepdaughter Kiley and son Zane now read to Jason Schechterle, whose fiery accident left him with poor vision.

[chance33_98]

Ping for prayers

[Aracelis]

Bump for Officer Schechterle...

[inquest]

Just out of curiosity, is this a common type of accident? It's kind of scary to think that just being hit from behind would trigger an explosion of the gas tank. That cab must've been going pretty fast.

[sibb1213]

Thanks for this post. It makes us all humble and thankful.
I just sent it out to family and friends. Hope additional prayers help.

[chance33_98]

It's kind of scary to think that just being hit from behind would trigger an explosion of the gas tank

Not sure to be honest, but I have noticed a lot of supposed problems with the crown victoria's being reported by police departments - not sure off hand if it is related though.

[OldFriend]

That precious little boy reading to his daddy

[AngrySpud]

If I recall correctly, the cab was going 70+ mph. The cabbie went to trial recently, but I didn't see the outcome.

[AngrySpud]

There have been three high-speed (police cruiser) Crown Vic fireballs in Arizona alone.

[inquest]

I'm speechless. Three fireballs? What are people ingesting that's causing them lose control like this?

[Timesink]

Not sure to be honest, but I have noticed a lot of supposed problems with the crown victoria's being reported by police departments - not sure off hand if it is related though.

It's related. Taxi owners - the other major buyers of Crown Vics, are reporting Pinto Redux explosions at about the same rate as the cops are. If you're in a Crown Vic, drive fast to make sure that if you get into an accident, it's YOU that's doing the rear-ending instead of vice versa.

[chance33_98]

That precious little boy reading to his daddy

Indeed. Glad to see he is still alive to spend his time with the kids. Despite it all, he is a lucky man with a loving family. Godd bless em.

[lawdude]

"Just out of curiosity, is this a common type of accident?"

We in Arizona have had a number of officers killed/injured in Crown Vics. Ford claims no responsibility but our crack Atty Gen, Janet (I love Reno) Napalitano (Governor Candidate -D) has only looked into the problem. No results, of course.

[Timesink]

I'm speechless. Three fireballs? What are people ingesting that's causing them lose control like this?

With taxi drivers, it's often the simple desire to make ends meet. The tend not to own their taxis, but instead rent them on a day by day basis from the local Taxi Baron. So a certain substantial percentage of his day's fares must be handed over to the Baron, they usually have to pay for their own gas, etc. And since rates are usually regulated in each city, they absolutely MUST drive as fast as possible in order to get more fares and thus make enough money to actually eke out a daily profit.

This isn't a defense of the driver's major screwup, of course, just an explanation.

[inquest]

Ford claims no responsibility but our crack Atty Gen, Janet (I love Reno) Napalitano (Governor Candidate -D) has only looked into the problem. No results, of course.

Well, maybe someone needs to hold her "feet to the fire", so to speak. Maybe we can get a law requiring her to drive around in whatever wacked-up model that cops are forced to use.

[inquest]

Yet another good argument against price controls...

[BlazingArizona]

Just out of curiosity, is this a common type of accident?

Actually, Schecterle's accident occurred in March, 2001. It seems that the police model Ford Crown Victoria explodes when rear-ended. Schecterle was the fourth Phoenix-area officer to be involved in such an accident in the same short period of time, and the only survivor. The others were burned alive. We have watched his face being reconstructed since the accident; he has eyes again, and the beginnings of a nose.

Apparently Department policy won't let them buy Toyotas.

[giznort]

My heart goes out to this officer. God bless him. He is going through difficult times. Again, God bless him (I can't say it enough).

[cmsgop]

May God Bless This Wonderful Man and Family......