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‘It happened so fast.’ Driver recalls fiery I-75 crash that killed two
Tampa Bay Times ^ | November 14, 2019 | Tony Marrero

Posted on 11/14/2019 12:27:59 PM PST by 4Runner

The driver of an International semi-trailer truck came upon the stopped line of traffic and swerved from the outside lane to the center lane to avoid a collision with one car but crashed into the back of another, a Chevy SUV, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The force of that collision pushed the Chevy into a Buick sedan. The Buick then struck a BMW sedan.

Pasco Fire Rescue crews arrived and extinguished the blaze. Investigators didn’t realize until several hours after arriving on scene that the first semi had come [to]rest on top of a car, said Sgt. Steve Gaskins, a spokesman for the Highway Patrol. Investigators were using dental records to confirm the drivers’ identities, he said. [The car underneath the semi was a Mercedes Benz.]

Troopers were still investigating Thursday and working to confirm which vehicles had passengers, Gaskins said. Troopers believe the BMW had a child inside but were still trying to confirm that detail along with the driver’s identity.

(Excerpt) Read more at tampabay.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Miscellaneous; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: florida; floridaman; pascocounty
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Between texting and shooting up, he didn't have time to bother worrying about what was happening on the road up ahead. So the identity of the semi driver has been withheld by the "authorities". Doing the job Americans won't do.
1 posted on 11/14/2019 12:27:59 PM PST by 4Runner
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To: 4Runner

Nice generalization there. Assuming all truck drivers are druggies and texters?


2 posted on 11/14/2019 12:39:07 PM PST by al_c (Democrats: Party over Common Sense)
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To: 4Runner

I75 is a mess in that area. My guess, based on the description of the force of the impact, is that he was traveling much too fast for conditions and was distracted. Normally on Florida interstates you can see brake lights a long way off because of the terrain.


3 posted on 11/14/2019 12:40:47 PM PST by clintonh8r (Truth is hate speech to those who hate the truth.)
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To: 4Runner

There’s also this from the article ... “The drivers of the International semi and the Mercedes died at the scene. Their names have not been released because troopers were working to notify their families.”


4 posted on 11/14/2019 12:41:16 PM PST by al_c (Democrats: Party over Common Sense)
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To: al_c; 4Runner

I think he is ASSuming that the word “International” means the driver was from out-of-country.

Perhaps he/she/it is unaware that International/Navistar is an American heavy truck brand, and listed, like the brand of every other vehicle in the wreck was listed.


5 posted on 11/14/2019 12:43:51 PM PST by Don W (When blacks riot, neighbourhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn.)
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To: 4Runner

Your best defense against this sort of thing is to leave a large gap between you and the vehicle in front of you. If traffic slows down, slow down as early as possible to maintain that gap. Do not drive right up to the car in front of you, because they leaves you nowhere to go when the semi-truck a thousand yards back decides not to stop.

I can hit my hazard lights without looking. You should learn the position of the hazards in your car and learn to hit them as easily as you flick the turn signal. As soon as you are 15 mph slower than the speed limit on any road, those hazard lights should be blinking.


6 posted on 11/14/2019 12:44:24 PM PST by Haiku Guy (If you have a right / To the service I provide / I must be your slave)
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To: al_c

No, not all. Just the ones who cause innocent drivers to die horrible fiery deaths on the road to diversity.


7 posted on 11/14/2019 12:44:53 PM PST by 4Runner
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To: Don W

Yeah prime boy. I’m definitely an “it”. Another mind reader, are ya?


8 posted on 11/14/2019 12:46:32 PM PST by 4Runner
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To: Haiku Guy

Good luck leaving gaps between you and the vehicle behind or in front of you in Floridexico. These people learned how to drive in Mexico City. A gap to them is six inches. Wait until you experience the thrill of a motorcyclist with no helmet riding your left rear fender close enough to touch it at 60 mph. A daily occurrence in Tampa.


9 posted on 11/14/2019 12:53:27 PM PST by 4Runner
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To: Haiku Guy

In Florida it is illegal to run your flashers unless you are standing still.
It is the law.


10 posted on 11/14/2019 12:54:32 PM PST by Honest Nigerian
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To: 4Runner
Between texting and shooting up, he didn't have time to bother worrying about what was happening on the road up ahead.

The truck driver was texting? Shooting up? Where did ya get that? Maybe he was just traveling too fast for road conditions, wasn't paying attention and only had time to change lanes, which still left him now where to go, which still caused him to rear-end stopped vehicles in front of him.

11 posted on 11/14/2019 12:56:31 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: 4Runner

Shooting up?

Did you already get the coroners report?

Texting alone or nodding off could either do this


12 posted on 11/14/2019 12:58:27 PM PST by wardaddy (I applaud Jim Robinson for his comments on the Southern Monuments decision ...thank you)
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To: Honest Nigerian
In Florida it is illegal to run your flashers unless you are standing still.

That is interesting. One sees people using flashers during heavy T-storm downpours in the South.

13 posted on 11/14/2019 12:58:32 PM PST by C19fan
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To: al_c

No kidding ...Freepers I swear I could do 24/7 a day here questioning folks for flames from their ass posts


14 posted on 11/14/2019 12:59:29 PM PST by wardaddy (I applaud Jim Robinson for his comments on the Southern Monuments decision ...thank you)
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To: 4Runner

Lot of maniacs in Florida from teenagers in their rice burners to big rigs. The interstates there are so straight and flat one just feels the need to speed.


15 posted on 11/14/2019 12:59:31 PM PST by C19fan
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To: Haiku Guy
Your best defense against this sort of thing is to leave a large gap between you and the vehicle in front of you.

That's one line of defense for yourslef but how you gonna prevent getting rear ended?

16 posted on 11/14/2019 1:00:21 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (I'm in the cleaning business.......I launder money)
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To: dragnet2

Thread runner works for Morgan and Morgan....or Alexander Shunnarah

/s


17 posted on 11/14/2019 1:03:50 PM PST by wardaddy (I applaud Jim Robinson for his comments on the Southern Monuments decision ...thank you)
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To: wardaddy

So could checking a side view mirrors at the wrong time or any number of things that led to the truck driver being distracted a bit too long when he should have been paying attention...

Not paying attention is probably the #1 cause of collisions. The #2 cause is drivers who lack driving skills and or inexperienced drivers who simply can’t drive worth a s**t.


18 posted on 11/14/2019 1:05:32 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: Haiku Guy

Most people have no right to be on the road due to their absolute idiocy and inability to adhere to traffic rules,regulations and laws.


19 posted on 11/14/2019 1:08:00 PM PST by shanover (...To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.-S.Adams)
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To: Hot Tabasco

Graphic.

Without question most poignant impaired driver rear ending I’ve ever seen...

That poor young mom....beautiful woman

I hate drunks...Toxic assholes

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/multimedia/Crash-Temecula-15-Freeway-Video_Los-Angeles-510862832.html


20 posted on 11/14/2019 1:09:27 PM PST by wardaddy (I applaud Jim Robinson for his comments on the Southern Monuments decision ...thank you)
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