Dangerous Trailers Accidents That Just Happend

LOOSE TRAILER...Pam Stone: Scary road incident shows true blessings

2011-09-05T06:14:00.000-07:00

Pam Stone: Scary road incident shows true blessings

By Pam Stone

For the Herald-Journal

Published: Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 1:14 p.m.

Pam Stone: Scary road incident shows true blessings

By Pam Stone
For the Herald-Journal

Published: Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 1:14 p.m.

It's the nightmare scenario that no one who pulls a trailer ever wants to experience: The trailer breaking free from the truck.

However, this is exactly what happened to me Wednesday morning, driving through downtown Landrum. Having hauled horses since I was 18, I know the importance of checking and double-checking all security devices before leaving home with a trailer in tow: wiring, safety chains and the emergency trailer brake.

The trailer hitch is in excellent condition and the ball the correct size. Yet, somehow, as I crawled (and thank God I was crawling) over the railroad tracks, the hitch popped upward from the ball, the nose of the trailer collapsed downward and, because the safety chains were intact, the emergency brake applied and the trailer slid but a couple of feet before stopping.

Heart in throat, I leapt from the cab of my truck and signaled to the cars behind to go around. Before I could even call our local police for help, one gentleman came running from the weekly Farmers' Market, another from our Amish food store and a third from I don't know where but immediately took over directing traffic.

The farmer said to me, “I believe we can lift this trailer back onto the ball,” to which I replied, “Not until I get my horse off.”

“You mean there's a horse in there?”

His eyes widened as I opened the side escape door to make sure my 18-hand, 1,400-pound Dutch gelding was safe and calm. He gave a nervous whinny and having wrapped his legs earlier in the thickest fleece protective wraps available, I knew there was little chance of injury.

Letting down the ramp, I gestured to the gentleman to untie the lead and assisted the horse as he backed out with alacrity, much to the amazement of an elderly driver too close for my liking, who, before this, I couldn't quite persuade to back her car up a bit farther, please.

Once he stood on the asphalt and looked around in alarm, I should think Valentino thought he'd been in some sort of time machine: Only minutes earlier he had left his bucolic, quiet home and stepped into an aluminum box, only to now find himself in the road, in the middle of traffic, buildings and big rigs hauling lumber passing frighteningly close. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the familiar blue truck belonging to a group of Tryon, N.C., veterinarians pull over, and both vet and assistant came sprinting to make sure everything was all right.

As I held and stroked Valentino, my heroes all managed to reattach the trailer to the hitch, jumped up and down on the bumper, cranked the hitch as high as it would go to make sure it could not again pop off the ball. Gingerly, I led Valentino up the ramp (I certainly would never have gotten back inside that trailer if I were him). With Paul, summoned in the middle of this, following us with flashers on, we held up a long line of impatient drivers as we inched the four miles to the farm.

As I write, the trailer is at a specialist garage to find out exactly what happened and how. No way will I haul it again without knowing that. However, I think I surprised Paul when I remarked, after watching Valentino roll with great relief in the field, trying to scratch both his back and the experience from his mind, that my day wasn't spoiled at all.

Because, after all, it could have been so much worse. Yes, the trailer broke free, but it did stop immediately, straight and true, my horse was fine and I was surrounded by good Samaritans who were strong, calm and capable before I could even ask for help.

And that, folks, is just a truckload of blessings. I wouldn't trade where I live for anything in the world.

Reach Pam Stone at pam@thesatisfiedlifenetwork.com.

Stallion tossed out of trailer, ends up in motorway fastlane

2011-05-26T06:03:00.000-07:00

HOW MANY MORE TRAILERS NEED TO JUST "COME LOOSE" BEFORE WE ADDRESS A DEFECTIVE TOWING SYSTEM.

WE KNOW HOW TO STOP THIS.

Stallion tossed out of trailer, ends up in motorway fastlane

Charlotte White, acting news editor

25 May, 2011

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A show stallion was thrown out of a trailer and onto the M5 after the vehicle was struck from behind by a car.

Show producer Mark Northam was transporting fell stallion Bybeck Evolution home to Bristol from Devon County Show last Friday (20 May) when the accident took place.

The trailer unhitched and "Evo" was thrown out, ending up on the opposite side of the road, in the fast lane of the south-bound carriageway.

Owner Sarah Dowdeswell, from Northumberland, said she wanted to thank everyone involved in the rescue.

Neither Mark, his passenger, nor the pony was seriously injured in the incident.

"We were so lucky - it could have been a horrific accident," said Sarah.

"Lorry drivers stopped their lorries on the south-bound carriageway to create a barrier so "Evo" could be caught.

"And a lady called Carol Haddon Wright, who was travelling north with an empty trailer stopped and took Evo home. It made things a lot easier as the police wanted him off the road so they could reopen the motorway but we had nowhere to put him.

"Remarkably he just walked into her trailer. He has a couple of scrapes, cuts and has lost his front shoes – we think he overreached trying to get upright after the crash – but does not seem to be injured."

Evo had won the Olympia M&M ridden class at the show and had been reserve champion.

UPDATE: Horse drowns in the Mississippi

2011-05-25T05:38:00.000-07:00

WE ALL KNOW WHAT IS WRONG.....HOW MANY MORE LIVES NEED TO BE TAKEN BEFORE WE ADDRESS!

Your Government instead of embracing our Information they try to stop and destroy us.

Published April 14, 2011, 10:22 AM

UPDATE: Horse drowns in the Mississippi

A horse died Wednesday afternoon after the trailer in which it was riding separated from the tow vehicle and slid into the Mississippi River.

Melanie Lunsmann of New Richmond was driving a Toyota Highlander northbound on US Highway 63 around 4:45 p.m. when a pin came loose from the hitch of the trailer and the trailer separated from the receiver of the truck, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department. The trailer then ran off the roadway into the back waters of the Mississippi River off Highway 63 with the horse inside.

"We are not sure how it came undone," Sheriff's Deputy Collin Gilles said, who was on scene.

The sheriff's department received the call from Goodhue County which first received the 911 call. Gilles said a witness saw the incident along with Lunsmann who pulled over as soon as she could.

Gilles said the animal was a quarterhorse valued at $675 while the trailer was valued at $500.

Tags: area news, news, wisconsin, accidents

HAVERHILL — After two trailers carrying animals broke loose from their tow vehicles and crashed on an Interstate 495 bridge, the state has begun repai

2011-05-22T05:07:00.000-07:00

IF A JET ENGINE HITS TURBULENCE ARE THE ENGINES FALLING OFF THE PLANE?
If your car hits a bump or a pot hole is your car falling apart?
Then we simply ask.....why are hitches falling apart? Why when you hit a bump your trailer is coming off? WE KNOW WHY AND NHTSA IS TRYING TO STOP US!!!!

May 22, 2011

Repairs to I-495 bridge finally begin, but bumpy ride remains

By Mike LaBella mlabella@eagletribune.com The Eagle Tribune Sun May 22, 2011, 12:53 AM EDT

HAVERHILL — After two trailers carrying animals broke loose from their tow vehicles and crashed on an Interstate 495 bridge, the state has begun repairs to create a smoother driving surface.

But the repairs are happening much later than city officials expected — in May instead of earlier this spring when the weather cleared. The crashes happened in September and December.

While the repair work has somewhat improved the surface of the bridge over the Merrimack River, it is still rough in both the north- and south-bound lanes, particularly for heavy vehicles such as truck and trailers.

City Councilor David Hall said he was under the impression that the repairs were to have been completed by this time. He said he crosses the bridge five or six times a week, and that the ride is still bumpy.

"Months ago, we held a conference call in the mayor's office with the state Department of Transportation and we were told this was going to be a top priority and that it would be addressed," said Hall, who is chairman of the public safety committee.

"Here we are almost into June, and I don't see any progress out there. It's more than bumpy. It's dangerous," Hall said. "When tractor trailers are traveling side by side the road is so rough they are bouncing. It won't take much to veer left or right into a passing car."

Adam Hurtubise, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said the first phase of the work involves nighttime repairs to the bridge decking. This part of the project should be completed in a few weeks, he said. But drivers should brace for a continued bumpy ride as federal funding the state has requested to repave the bridges is pending, he said.

State officials said repairs have been taking place at night based on the availability of crews, and when emergency or other repairs are not being completed elsewhere throughout the Department of Transportation's District 4, which includes Haverhill. Repair crews typically shut down one lane when working, then reopen that lane in time for the morning commute.

Hurtubise said the first phase of the work involves removing areas of deteriorated concrete beneath the asphalt driving surface and filling it in with rapid-setting concrete. The state is currently seeking approval from the Federal Highway Administration to use federal money for the milling and paving portion of the project.

Hurtubise said repairs to the bridge must be coordinated with the state's Fast 14 bridge-replacement project, because I-495 is one of the alternate routes that will be used for traffic.

On Dec. 16, a truck towing a horse trailer traveling north on I-495 hit a series of bumps while crossing the Merrimack River bridge. The trailer broke free and crashed. At the time, a horse was taken to an animal hospital for treatment of injuries.

Those same bumps were to blame for a Sept. 30 crash of a trailer carrying four alpacas. The animals were unharmed.

Following the December crash, the state set up electronic message boards warning drivers to slow down when crossing the bridge. Those message boards have since been replaced with four yellow signs warning drivers of the rough surface.

Repairs to the bridge started in December, but were hampered by severe winter conditions. Hurtubise said the areas in need of repairs were identified through a previous bridge inspection.

This summer, the state will replace 14 deteriorated bridge superstructures on Interstate 93 in Medford. The replacements that are the core of the Fast 14 project will take place on weekends in June, July and August (except July 4). This plan avoids impacting rush-hour traffic, according to transportation officials.

• • •

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Utility trailer goes airborne, kills 1 in crash

2011-05-13T11:02:00.000-07:00

WE KNOW HOW TO STOP THIS!!!!! NO SAFETY CHAIN LAW IN ALABAMA!!

Utility trailer goes airborne, kills 1 in crash

May 13, 2011

By Trent Moore The Cullman Times The Cullman Times Fri May 13, 2011, 10:42 AM CDT

CULLMAN — A Hanceville woman was killed Wednesday evening, after a utility trailer being hauled by another vehicle went airborne and landed on her car on Alabama Highway 157.

Jewel Reeves Brock, 65, of Hanceville, was killed instantly when the trailer reportedly crashed through the windshield of her GMC Yukon.

The accident occurred at approximately 5:08 p.m., when a single-axle utility trailer being hauled by Cullman resident Perry Latham came loose around the Lake Catoma bridge in the south side lane of Highway 157. Latham was driving a Ford F-150.

“The trailer disconnected from the truck, struck the bridge side wall and became airborne,” Cullman Police Sgt. Jeff Warnke said. “It then went through the front windshield of a Yukon traveling northbound on Highway 157. She was killed instantly.”

After the trailer fell off Brock’s vehicle, it reportedly came to rest in the southbound lane, where it was struck by a third vehicle driven by Cullman resident James Pintaro.

“That vehicle came to a screeching halt and struck the trailer,” Warnke said. “He had four occupants with him, but there was no one injured.”

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

“Considering all the safety features normally in place, we’re still trying to figure out exactly how this happened,” Warnke said. “It was just a tragic, freak accident.”

Traffic was blocked for more than an hour and a half, and Warnke said it took authorities quite some time to clear the scene.

“It was backed up for no telling how many miles, all the way into neighborhoods,” he said.

Reports indicate everyone involved was wearing a seatbelt.

‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.

LOOSE TRAILER!! A trailer rolled out onto Route 140

2011-05-07T06:56:00.000-07:00

ALL OF THIS WAS CAUSED BY A LOOSE SMALL UTILITY TRAILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALL THIS DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY A LOOSE TRAILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE KNOW HOW TO FIX AND PREVENT THIS!!!

No Injuries Reported After Accident on Route 140

A trailer rolled out onto Route 140 causing a truck to swerve and hit a light pole.

By Jennifer Lucarelli | Email the author | May 5, 2011

Shrewsbury Police, Fire, and EMS responded to a rollover accident on Route 140, just north of Route 20 where a six-wheel box truck struck a utility pole, snapping it into three pieces, and rolled over on it side.

Dale S Urbank, 45, of 4A Fletcher Street, Plainville, was driving a 2011 Ford pickup, towing a 2004 utility trailer loaded with granite in the industrial complex at 167 Memorial Drive. As he approached the exit of the complex, the trailer he was towing became detached from the truck, and rolled out of control out onto Route 140. The trailer crossed over the northbound lane, and into the path of a 2001 Chevrolet box truck heading south, being operated by Dionicio A Nunez, 44, of 22 Jennings St., #2, of Worcester.

Mr. Nunez swerved to avoid the trailer and stuck a utility pole, causing it to snap it into three pieces. The vehicle continued to spin, and roll onto its side, spilling its contents onto the road and adjacent shoulder. Neither Mr. Nunez or his passenger reported any injury.

The cables attached to the utility pole, which feed the industrial complex and two large cell towers, came down across both lanes of Route 140 forcing police to close the road to all traffic. Several officers were needed to re-route traffic from busy Route 140 onto Routes 9, 20 and other adjacent side streets.

The Shrewsbury Board of Health was summoned to the scene by police to inspect the spilled contents from the truck, which consisted mostly of grocery dry goods. Shrewsbury Board of Health agent Robert Moore declared the load spoiled and ordered it to be discarded.

A dumpster was dispatched to the scene and was loaded with the items by crews from Lovey’s towing & recovery of Shrewsbury.

Crews from Shrewsbury Electric Light & Cable and Verizon were both on scene soon after the incident to remove and replace the snapped pole and wires.

The box truck and the trailer were removed and impounded by police pending further investigation.

Route 140 remained closed for close to four hours while police and work crews investigated and cleared the scene.

The accident is under investigation by Officer Richard Fiske, of the Shrewsbury Police Traffic Unit.

Loose Runaway tank trailer injures 5!!!!!!

2011-05-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

Runaway tank injures 5

Published: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 5:07 PM CDT

ROLLING PRAIRIE — A runaway tank with anhydrous ammonia near Rolling Prairie caused two vehicles to collide, resulting in five people being injured.

At about 5 p.m. Saturday, Raymond Rehlander, 48, 3562 N. CR-175E, told sheriff’s deputies he was westbound on U.S. 20 near CR-250E and traveling only about 25 miles per hour.

The trailer hitch on his pickup truck somehow came loose, allowing the tank he was pulling to break free and cross into the eastbound lanes, police said.

Robert Moffitt, 47, of 4083 N. CR-325W, was headed eastbound and slammed on his brakes to avoid the tank darting into his path.

Police said Moffitt’s vehicle was hit in the back by Jordan Saylor, 18, of Michigan City. A passenger in Moffitt’s vehicle, Brian Moffitt, 39, complained of back pain.

Passengers in Saylor’s vehicle, Melissa Saylor, 39, along with Breanna Saylor, 14, and Kitlyn Saylor, 11, all complained of pain to their chests, police said.

Rehlander was driving a vehicle owned by Larson-Danielson Construction, La Porte, and Co-Alliance, Rolling Prairie, was the owner of the anhydrous ammonia tank, according to police.

— From staff reports

Loose Runaway tank trailer injures 5!!!!!!

2011-05-07T06:44:00.001-07:00

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Runaway tank injures 5

Published: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 5:07 PM CDT

Loose Runaway tank trailer injures 5!!!!!!

2011-05-07T06:44:00.000-07:00

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Runaway tank injures 5

Published: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 5:07 PM CDT

Pair have lucky escape after A46 smash

2011-01-26T11:06:00.001-08:00

Gary Smee

24 January. Updated: 24 January 12:41

A DRIVER and his passenger had a lucky escape after a trailer came loose and smashed through their car windscreen.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the twin-axle trailer, which was being pulled by a Land Rover Discovery, weaving back and forth before it reared up and hit a Mercedes travelling in the opposite direction on the A46 bypass near Sedgeberrow on Friday (January 21) at just after 7.15am.
The horrifying incident closed road for almost three hours as firefighters battled to free the passenger in the Mercedes by removing the roof with hydraulic cutters.
The man, believed to have been in his 40s, was immobilised using a spinal board and taken to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch with non life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the car suffered minor injuries and the driver of the Land Rover was unhurt.
Julian Jenkins, watch manager at Evesham Fire Station, said the consequences could have been far more serious.
"I think the men can count themselves very lucky because there were bits of wood sticking into the car which just missed them," he said.
Police are appealing for witnesses.
PC Matthew Pedrick, investigating, said: "We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or either of the vehicles in the moments leading up to it.
"This took place on a busy road at the beginning of rush-hour so I anticipate a number of people may have information."
Anyone with information should call police on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers anonymouly on 0800 555 111.

Lost furniture leads to crashes on Highway 29

2010-11-07T09:04:00.001-08:00

Lost furniture leads to crashes on Highway 29

By Jeff Starck • Wausau Daily Herald • November 5, 2010

ROTHSCHILD -- Police still were searching Thursday for a driver who lost a load of furniture Wednesday on Highway 29, causing two crashes and hours of traffic snarls.

The State Patrol received reports from the Marathon County Sheriff's Department and several motorists at about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday that shards of wood and broken glass were strewn across the westbound lanes of Highway 29 near the Business Highway 51 exit in Rothschild.

The driver of a tractor-trailer and a 16-person passenger van each hit mattresses in the roadway, and the two vehicles collided, State Patrol trooper Curt Tomkowiak said Thursday. One of the mattresses became tangled in the tractor-trailer's drive shaft, and the truck had to be towed from the scene, he said.

The driver of a minivan braked abruptly to avoid the stopped tractor-trailer and passenger van in the roadway, and was rear-ended by a pickup, Tomkowiak said.

No one was hurt in the two crashes, police said.

Tomkowiak, who was one of the officers who responded to the scene, said he couldn't identify what other furniture might have fallen on the road because the debris was either obliterated by passing vehicles or had been cleaned up.

Meanwhile, the owner of the mattresses remains unknown. No one who was involved in or witnessed the crash saw the vehicle that lost its load, Tomkowiak said.

Westbound traffic on Highway 29 was stopped or limited to one lane for about two hours Wednesday while the debris and vehicles were cleared away.

Anyone with information about the driver who lost the furniture should call the State Patrol at 715-845-1143.

Twin box spring causes double trouble for Elkhart County motorist

2010-11-07T09:00:00.001-08:00

WSBT-TV Report

7:34 a.m. EDT, November 4, 2010

A twin box spring fell from a trailer being towed Wednesday evening on County Road 50, west of County Road 7. The loose box spring struck a westbound car, landing on car’s hood and smashing the windshield.

An Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department news release indicated Heather Atwell, 47, of Elkhart, was driving westbound on County Road 50. She was taken to Elkhart General Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries after the box spring smashed her car.

The other driver was issued a warning for having an improperly secured load, according to the news release. Information about the other driver was not available from police nor the county’s emergency services dispatch center.

Horses Tossed From Trailer Onto Route 7

2010-11-04T08:13:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSsXqFo1fVo

Thursday November 4, 2010

Horses Tossed From Trailer Onto Route 7

A trailer overturned in Jefferson County and tossed two horses onto State Route 7 near the Pottery Addition entrance ramp, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The vehicle was traveling south when the trailer that was hauling the horses became unhitched, according to OSHP.The owners called a veterinarian Dr. Eric Bruns, who also responded to the scene to treat the animals.Bruns said he sedated the animals and treated them for abrasions.

"I had to clean one of them. He had a tree branch stuck into him, but they're animals, they'll both be all right. I'm pretty sure," said Bruns.

Troopers said the situation could have turned out worse."They were lucky that they landed on the ramp here. There's not a lot of traffic on this ramp, " said Sgt. Jeff Bernard.Troopers said they are trying to determine how the trailer became unhitched.

Trailers, negligence: A lethal combination in Chatham County Authorities urge safety in wake of recent wrecks, including fatal crash on I-16 Posted: S

2010-10-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

Trailers, negligence: A lethal combination in Chatham County

Authorities urge safety in wake of recent wrecks, including fatal crash on I-16

Posted: September 7, 2010 - 12:19am | Updated: September 7, 2010 - 7:53am

By Michael Atkins

On a recent Sunday afternoon, Giovanna Rosenfeld was traveling west from Savannah on Interstate 16, having just celebrated her birthday with her husband and teenage daughter.

As the three reached the exit for Bloomingdale Road, entering the desolate stretch to Macon, a frightening sequence unfolded before their eyes.

"I was about three cars behind the man on the motorcycle, and I just saw a trailer come across the median at a 45-degree angle," recalled Rosenfeld, 41, an Atlanta resident. "It was going fast. He flew up in the air. I saw his motorcycle go in one direction, and the trailer continue on its original path.

"It was just surreal."

The motorcyclist, 36-year-old Carroll Girtman, was killed by that impact July 11. Gerald Adams, 66, who was hauling the trailer that hurtled into oncoming traffic, was charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and operating an unsafe vehicle.

Such circumstances might seem improbable, but the incident, local police say, underscores the need - or obligation - to safely secure trailers and their contents before hitting the highway.

"A lot of people I encounter only care about getting their stuff from point A to point B - if it comes off, it comes off," said Advanced Police Officer Brad Beddow, a Savannah-Chatham police motor vehicle investigator. "If we believe that the load is unsecured, we're going to stop you and cite you."

He added: "We're not going to wait for that load to fall off or cause a wreck before we write you a ticket."

Safety chains urged

Regulations for commercial haulers are stricter than those for regular folks who, for instance, tow yard debris or furniture across town on the weekend.

Yet those private cargos are no less dangerous, Beddow said.

"Most of the things I see are brakes that are disconnected, lights that don't work, tire problems, or (the trailers) aren't tagged," said Beddow, one of two metro officers certified by the Georgia Department of Public Safety to inspect commercial vehicles and issue safety citations. "And it's good practice - if you have safety chains on your trailer, regardless if you're a commercial enterprise or private person, they need to be hooked up and crossed."

Crossing the chains, he said, prevents the trailer tongue from striking the roadway if the trailer becomes unhitched or from swinging wildly if a tire blows.

Tickets issued

As of mid-June, metro police had issued 22 unsecured-load citations, according to department statistics.

In a more recent case, police responded July 26 to Skidaway Road, south of Norwood Avenue, after a small trailer became unhitched from a Chrysler Town & Country van.

The errant trailer struck another van, injuring five occupants. A six-seat golf cart also flew off the trailer and plunged into a roadside ditch.

"It was just flipping in the air," Tyler Samad, a passenger in the Town & Country, said shortly after the wreck. "I was worried about what it was going to hit. I saw cars coming."

The driver, Samad's grandfather John Blitch, said the hitch had just been installed by a company, apparently without due care.

"It looks like the pin came off the trailer hitch," said Blitch, who was cited for hauling an unsecured load.

'Driver's responsibility'

Pooler police Maj. Mark Revenew said anyone with a large load should employ an electric braking system, connected to the hitch by a small steel cable.

"If it becomes unhitched," he said, "it automatically activates the brakes on the trailer."

Beddow said a braking system is required for vehicles with a gross weight between 3,000 and 12,000 pounds. For vehicles topping that maximum, brakes are required on each axle.

Revenew said other issues police encounter include improper maintenance and inadequate safety equipment, like the safety chains.

"If a tire fails on a trailer, it becomes its own vehicle, fishtailing around," Revenew said. "The safety chains prevent it from detaching."

Georgia State Patrol Cpl. Tommy Barron noted loose items should be covered by tarps. Most of the problems, he added, arise when someone is borrowing a trailer or unfamiliar with attaching one.

"Obviously it's a driver's responsibility, before they put any vehicle on the roadway, to make sure it's safe and secure," Barron said. "Whether they're going to the landfill or just moving furniture across town."

Before the fatal wreck on I-16, Rosenfeld said, her family had planned to purchase a jet ski.

Not any more, for fear of a similar accident.

"Before that, I honestly never really thought of somebody's trailer coming loose," she said. "It makes you aware of something that you previously didn't give much thought to."

Editorial: Traffic laws can prevent tragedies And Our Letter To The Editor

2010-10-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

Editorial: Traffic laws can prevent tragedies

Monday, October 18, 2010

5 Comments | Leave a Comment

The thunderstorm that pushed across Pitt County on Thursday brought spells of heavy rainfall, making the morning commute for local drivers a bit more treacherous. While all motorists used their wipers for a clear view, few switched on their headlights as mandated by state law, a requirement intended to make vehicles more visible in inclement weather.

That represents one casual bit of illegal behavior repeated incessantly on area roadways, but another example of habits that can endanger others and contribute to accidents could prove responsible for a fatality. Drivers in eastern North Carolina should do better by one another by adhering to proper practices, just as law enforcement should strive to improve road safety whenever they can.

Tragedy visited Pitt County on Tuesday when a truck moving north on N.C. 43 had its trailer unhinge and collide with an SUV traveling south. Lisa Langemann, a 27-year-old teacher at Bethel Elementary School, was killed in the accident, and her two daughters in the car were injured. The ensuing investigation found that the trailer was homemade and lacked the safety cables and chains required by state law. The other driver has been charged in Langemann's death.

Motorists in Pitt County are likely to have seen such trailers countless times in their travels. Though they must be inspected by the Department of Transportation or the N.C. Highway Patrol, it is not a leap to question how many who use such equipment are even aware that is the case. It means accidents like this one, a wreck that claimed a young life, are more likely than the average motorist might consider.

Safety on area roadways can sometimes seem like a gamble. Narrow roadways with an abundance of traffic and the occasional piece of farm equipment can all contribute to unpredictability when driving. Factor in drivers' unsafe behavior — speeding, eating, talking on cell phones and other distractions — and it is little wonder that AAA Carolinas ranked Pitt County tops in the state for accidents in 2008.

Motorists must accept more responsibility for their habits behind the wheel by learning state laws and following them. Their repeated refusal to do so should inspire area law enforcement to provide additional encouragement through more rigorous ticketing for moving violations. Even the little things — like using the headlights during downpours — can bolster safety on area roadways. That, in turn, could prevent an accident and even save a life.

Our Letter That Was Published!

Letter: Stricter standards for trailers

Friday, October 22, 2010

6 Comments | Leave a Comment

I read with interest the Oct. 18 editorial, “Traffic laws can prevent tragedies,” which referenced the tragic loss of a mom, wife and teacher due to a loose utility trailer. This accident was totally preventable had we had an inspection and safety standards for trailers under 3,000 gross vehicle weight rating.

Please note the reason these trailers are not getting pulled over is because the way the law is currently written it is a secondary offense and not a primary. An offender must be committing an offense, like running a stop sign. Then the officer can provide a ticket for not having safety chains.

The clearest example I can provide of the magnitude of the infraction is the following: Would you secure your own child in a child safety seat without using the seat belt, improper level and homemade? In this example, do we allow people to make homemade child safety seats? I ask then why is the person behind you any less important than your own child?

In closing, the Dangerous Trailers Web site has been addressing the total lack of safety standards, quality and training on passenger cars that tow trailers for more than eight years. We have documentation from the highest level of our government and yet nothing on a national level has been done. We know what needs to be done and I am willing to help. We just need the support.

RON J. MELANCON

Glen Allen, Va.

Cautionary evacuation on Highway 221

2010-10-28T09:09:00.001-07:00

Cautionary evacuation on Highway 221

By Winnipeg Sun

Last Updated: October 25, 2010 7:59am

Several homes in the Meadows area were evacuated Sunday after a trailer filled with anhydrous ammonia went into a ditch.

RCMP said emergency crews were called to the scene on Highway 221 northwest of Winnipeg about noon. The trailer, being hauled by a pickup truck, came loose and went into a ditch, police said.

Const. Miles Hiebert, a spokesman for Manitoba RCMP, said the trailer turned over but didn’t leak.

Traffic in the vicinity was shut down and approximately 10 area homes were evacuated as a precaution. The ammonia was pumped into another trailer and the highway re-opened to traffic before 5 p.m.

Highway 108 Accident Causes Minor Injuries

2010-10-28T09:05:00.001-07:00

October 26, 2010 06:40 pm

Tina Falco, MML News Reporter

Twain Harte, CA-- A Twain Harte man suffered minor injuries in a vehicle accident this morning on Highway 108 east of Twain Harte Drive.

27 year old Ryan Holden of Twain Harte was a passenger in a 1999 International truck driven by 38 year old Long Barn resident Shayne Darr when the accident occurred. The truck had been towing a Trail Max trailer when the trailer reportedly separated from the truck. The trailer then crossed both lanes of the roadway and struck a dirt embankment north of Highway 108.

The driver of the truck, Darr, stopped his truck on the asphalt shoulder but then noticed the trailer starting to roll backward toward him. Darr advised his passenger Holden to exit the truck and that's when Holden lost his footing on the loose dirt embankment. The rear of the trailer then struck the front fender of the truck and pushed the truck onto Holden's right leg. After the collision, Darr was able to free Holden's leg from the front fender. Holden was transported to Sonora Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Written by tina.falco@mlode.com

Seward girl, 10, killed after horse trailer breaks loose

2010-10-28T09:00:00.001-07:00

Seward girl, 10, killed after horse trailer breaks loose

By CORY MATTESON / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 4:00 pm | (20) Comments

A fifth-grader at Seward Middle School died Monday afternoon after a horse trailer came loose from a pickup and hit the car she was riding in. Her 9-year-old brother was critically injured.

Kasey Cox, 10, was pronounced dead after she was taken by helicopter to BryanLGH Medical Center West from the crash site northwest of the Lincoln Airport.

Korbin Cox, a fourth-grader, was taken to the hospital and listed in critical condition Monday.

Their father, Keith Cox, who was driving the car, is a staff sergeant with Detachment 2 of 165th Quartermaster Company in Seward, where the family resides.

"Obviously it's a tragedy, and we always support soldiers that have tragedies in their life," Nebraska Army National Guard spokesman David Nore said Tuesday.

Investigators still are piecing together what caused the trailer being towed by Danna Seevers, 43, also of Seward, to come loose Monday afternoon.

The trailer crossed U.S. 34 and collided with the eastbound Chevrolet Cobalt being driven by Cox, 39.

Nebraska State Patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins said Tuesday that a preliminary interview with Seevers indicated that safety chains were in place on the trailer. Collins said the investigation into the crash, which took place at 3:50 p.m. a mile west of the junction of U.S. 34 and Nebraska 79, is ongoing.

The impact of the nearly head-on collision sent the Cobalt into a ditch, where it rolled.

A wounded horse in the trailer was euthanized.

No members of the Cox family were wearing seat belts, Collins said.

Keith Cox was hospitalized Monday with non-life-threatening injuries. An update on his son's condition was not available Tuesday.

The family, through a BryanLGH spokeswoman, issued a brief statement Tuesday.

"The Keith Cox family requests their privacy be respected during this extremely difficult time," it read.

Seevers, who was driving the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado towing the trailer westbound on U.S. 34, could not be reached Tuesday.

Seward Public Schools Superintendent Greg Barnes said students went home Tuesday with notes to their parents notifying them of the crash. A message titled "Crisis Information for Parents" was also added to the Seward Public Schools website.

Barnes said he learned of the crash Tuesday morning, just as classes began.

"It's been a long day in middle school for Kasey's class," he said Tuesday afternoon.

Grief counseling was provided for teachers and students at both Seward Middle School and Seward Elementary School, which Korbin attends.

"We'll provide support throughout," Barnes said. "As much as needed."

Reach Cory Matteson at 402-473-7438 or cmatteson@journalstar.com.

Trailer detaching from pickup truck cause of Thursday’s accident on K-10

2010-10-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

By George Diepenbrock

October 22, 2010

The Douglas County Sheriff’s office said a trailer that dislodged from a pickup truck caused an accident Thursday night on Kansas Highway 10 near Eudora.

Sgt. Steve Lewis, sheriff’s spokesman, said a trailer came loose from an eastbound GMC pickup truck about 8:20 p.m. The trailer crossed the highway’s median and entered the westbound lanes.

Briana Arensberg, 22 of Lawrence, was driving westbound in a 2006 Mitsubishi. The trailer struck her vehicle, which tipped over onto its driver’s side.

Lewis said Arensberg was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital with an arm injury. An LMH spokeswoman said Arensberg had been treated and released.

The pickup’s driver, Eric Dove, 46 of Linwood, was not injured. Lewis said no citations were listed on the report Friday but that the report was not yet complete.

Runaway Trailer Crashes On I-75

2010-10-28T08:40:00.001-07:00

Runaway Trailer Crashes On I-75

Posted: 5:56 am EDT October 28, 2010Updated: 6:00 am EDT October 28, 2010

ATLANTA -- A mud racing team traveling through the metro Atlanta area said they are hoping they can get to their final destination after their trailer broke loose on Interstate 75.The St. Louis group said the trailer somehow detached from their RV and drifted into traffic on I-75 near Gresham Road.Those on board the RV said they noticed sparks flying from the back-up camera monitor. PHOTOS: Runaway Trailer On I-75 Crashes

“The trailer came off the RV there, following us down the road at about 75 miles an hour, then it took out the telephone pole over there and put a big hole in the trailer,” said Dustin Strong.The St. Louis natives said they hoped they would still make it to the mud race in Florida.

Do it right, or risk killling someone Trailer Life...Loose Trailer

2010-10-22T11:25:00.001-07:00

Trailer Life

Posted August 2 2010 11:49 AM by Mr8Lug
Filed under: Editorials, Dodge, Editor's Blog

How many times do people have to tell you to be careful when trailering? Remember this picture. Kevin Busta is lucky to be alive after someone didn’t respect the damage a loose trailer can cause. Someone decided that it would be “good enough” to use a 1 7/8-inch ball on a 2 5/16-inch hitch and then didn’t bother to hook up the safety chains. Maybe the trailer didn’t even have safety chains at all. When the trailer (predictably) came loose it shot across three lanes of highway and into oncoming traffic, directly in Kevin’s path.

Kevin hit the trailer head-on at 60 mph and his Dodge flipped end-over-end seven times, coming to rest 262 feet down the road. Kevin was airlifted to the hospital and was lucky to survive. He’s fine now, but let this horrific crash be a reminder that you can’t take trailering lightly. Thanks to Sina Norris for the photo.

Rollover on I-17 delays northbound traffic

2010-10-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

Marc Buckhout/The Foothills
A rollover accident, at mile marker 231, involving an SUV towing an RV shutdown northbound I-17 traffic just after noon on Oct. 13. No one was injured in the accident, which caused traffic to be diverted off the freeway at Anthem Way.

Rollover on I-17 delays northbound traffic
Staff Report ~ 10/20/2010

A one vehicle accident, just north of Anthem, involving an SUV towing an RV caused a shutdown of northbound I-17 shortly after noon on Oct. 13.
Daisy Mountain Fire Department Public Information Officer Dave Wilson said that none of the four passengers or the driver of the vehicle were injured in the accident. All five had climbed out of the vehicle by the time paramedics arrived on scene. After getting a cursory exam all five refused further treatment.

The rollover accident, at approximately mile marker 231, one mile south of New River, cut off both northbound lanes of traffic causing a four-mile backup. The cause of the accident was not immediately known.

Department of Public Safety officials diverted traffic off the freeway at mile marker 229. Traffic congestion was further complicated by multiple fender benders south bound shortly after the initial accident.

Trailer containing liquid spills over, blocks two lanes on I-40 E

2010-09-24T07:07:00.001-07:00

WBIR.com Updated: 9/16/2010 4:54:12 PM Posted: 9/16/2010 4:52:48 PM

A trailer carrying "Master Jack" drain opener spilled over and blocked two lanes of I-40 E at Seventeenth Street Thursday afternoon.

According to the Knoxville Fire Department, Don Melton from Denver, CO was hauling a 4' by 6' enclosed trailed filled with the liquid. His trailer came loose from the van and fell over blocking two lanes of I-40 E.

Melton told officials he was on the way to North Carolina to sell the liquid at a flee market.

Officers with the Fire Department worked to neutralize and dilute the product.

CSP cites driver for trailer wreck

2010-09-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

8/12/2010 6:00:00 AM

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CSP cites driver for trailer wreck

Reid Wright
Journal Staff Writer

A local man was cited for a loose-trailer accident that smashed a sport utility vehicle and hospitalized an Oregon woman Aug. 5 on U.S. 491 near Cortez.

Following a Colorado State Patrol investigation, Kurt Trudeau was issued a citation for careless driving causing injury regarding the incident. It is apparent the fertilizer spreader being towed by Trudeau began to fishtail, a pin came loose and the farm implement separated from the Dodge pickup and drifted into the oncoming lane, colliding with a Toyota 4Runner driven by Feryl Laney, Trooper Joshua Boden said.

According to witnesses, Laney's vehicle then spun counter-clockwise, lost control and flipped end over end - ejecting the woman. The vehicle smashed into a security gate and came to a rest on Laney's leg.

Laney is in stable condition after being airlifted to St. Mary's hospital in Grand Junction, Boden said.

Dangeroustrailers.org President Ron Melancon said accidents such as this are not uncommon. Four hundred nineteen people have been killed in trailer-related incidents in Colorado since 1975, he said. Although the state requires safety chains, there are no other regulations for trailers under 3,000 pounds, he said,

"Why do we have to wait for another person to get hurt or lose their life to do the right thing?" he said.

Further, Melancon said incidents in which trailers come loose but do not cause injury or property damage go unreported.

In this case, the fertilizer spreader is legally classified as a farm implement in the state of Colorado - rendering the device even more immune to regulation, Melancon said. In the state of Virginia, such devices are not allowed to travel on the road, he said.

"A farm implement is supposed to be used on a farm," he said. "We all preach personal responsibility. Would you secure a child in a child safety seat the way you secured that farm implement?"

Reach Reid Wright at reidw@cortezjournal.com.

PRILL: The Agony Of Defeat

2010-09-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

For every success story at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs, there is one of despair. I found one such story on Wednesday.

PRILL: The Agony Of Defeat

For every success story at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs, there is one of despair. I found one such story on Wednesday.

Eric Prill | Posted September 22, 2010

At the SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Subway, there are great stories of success and personal triumph. These are the stories you’ll read about on websites and in magazines. But for every success story, there is one of despair. I found one such story on Wednesday.

Some of the craziest, most frustrating stories come out of the trip to races. I’m not saying that grassroots racers are a menace to the highway, but I’ve heard my share of stories revolving around blown trailer tires, runaway trailers and stolen rigs out of hotel parking lots. Sometimes, the greatest adventure on a race weekend is getting to and from the event.

Harold Flescher had a difficult trip to the Runoffs. The 1995 F Production National Champion had motor home trouble, making his three-day trip from South Florida take a week. Weeks like that often set the stage for a Cinderella-type storybook ending, but it’s not happening for “H” this week.

On the last lap of qualifying, Harold had a good lap going in his aged, but highly-developed and really fast Austin-Healey Sprite. He admitted the car was a little loose in the Carousel, but, knowing he had a flier going, he decided to go flat through the Kink.

It didn’t work. Harold went wide, and figured he’d just hang on in the dirt at 120mph and ease it back on, but when he got back to the asphalt, the car hooked right and went straight into the wall. Ouch.

I was on track in the same session and you never like to see the yellow flags waving vigorously at Station 11 and 11A. It means there’s probably a yard sale around the bend and you hope one of your fellow racers isn’t hurt.

As I drove by the safety vehicle and Harold’s car, I was relieved to see him climbing out. Talking to him afterward by his crumpled car, Harold admitted he was sore and that he’d probably be really sore tomorrow. It was the hardest hit he’d ever had in his 40-plus years of racing.

I asked him what the future of the car was, and he said that his crew chief Peter would get the car into his shop to fix it. I was happy to hear that, because I know that Harold has thought about retirement, at least a little bit, in the last several years. He admitted that weeks like this make a guy consider if he wants to continue racing. I hope he does, but in two weeks time, he’ll celebrate his 70th birthday. Who could blame him if he decided that it was time to call it a career? But, then again, this isn’t a job or a career. This is for fun and Harold loves to race. He’s damn good at it too.

Thrill of Victory

Someone did taste the thrill of victory today—Benjamin Schaut, of Commerce Twp, Mich., won the second-annual Beat the Boss charity fundraiser for the SCCA Foundation. Each year, SCCA President Jeff Dahnert challenges all to a foot race around the four-mile Road America circuit. Proceeds go to the SCCA Foundation, which funds a number of outreach programs, most notably the Tire Rack Street Survival teen safe-driving program. Dahnert finished seventh—two spots better than 2009.

I guess I should be happy, but…

So my own session today didn’t go how I would have scripted it. All in all, it wasn’t bad, though. After day two, I’m in fourth place – a little more than a tenth out of second. A lot of people would be thrilled, but I was frustrated with how my session shook out and actually helped one of the guys in front of me by giving him a rabbit to chase and a draft. There’s always tomorrow, but the weather doesn’t look good.

Loose trailer flips 4Runner

2010-09-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

Journal/Hope Nealson
A Toyota 4Runner with Oregon plates was involved in a rollover north of Cortez off U.S. Highway 491 Tuesday around 4 p.m. The unidentifed passenger, whose condition was unknown at the time of the accident, was taken to Southwest Memorial Hospital.

Journal/Hope Nealson
An unidentifed woman is carried from the scene of a rollover her Toyota 4Runner, with Oregon plates, was involved in north of the Cortez Livestock Auction off U.S. Highway 491 about 4 p.m. Tuesday. Witnesses said a trailer came loose and crashed into her vehicle, causing it to flip, end over end, into the ditch next to the opposite lane of traffic.

8/3/2010 5:50:00 PM
Hope Nealson
Journal Staff Writer

A woman was ejected from her Toyota 4Runner north of Cortez on Tuesday when a farm implement pulled by an oncoming Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck came loose and collided with the vehicle, causing it to roll and eject the woman before landing on top of her.

"The farm implement collided with the left-front corner of the engine compartment area and basically from there it opened up the Toyota 4Runner. It took the driver's door, the roof and the rear hatch door completely off the vehicle as it was traveling around the left side of the vehicle," Colorado State Patrol Trooper Joshua Boden said.

It took four minutes for an ambulance to arrive at the scene near mile marker 30 about 3:55 p.m., Boden said.

The ambulance transported the driver, Feryl Laney, to Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, where she was prepped and transported via CareFlight to St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction.

"She suffered serious bodily injury from the crash as far as I know," Boden said Wednesday. "I called about 1 a.m. before I went off duty, and she was stabilizing in the ICU in Grand Junction."

Laney was listed in serious condition at St. Mary's Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

Laney, who is based in Oregon but travels the country working for youth groups, was driving in the southbound lane of U.S. Highway 491 when her vehicle was stuck by a farm implement "made of pretty heavy gauge steel" that had disconnected from behind a pickup driven by a Basin Co-op employee, Boden said.

The implement strayed from the northbound lane into Laney's southbound lane, causing her 4Runner to spin counterclockwise from the impact, across the northbound lane, rolling 56 feet before landing on her leg.

"Ms. Feryl was ejected completely from the vehicle as it rolled and collided with the fence at a storage area," Boden said. "The vehicle continued traveling through the fence where it struck the security gate and landed on top of Ms. Feryl."

Montezuma County Sheriff Gerald Wallace said there was quite a bit of damage when he arrived on the scene about 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Firefighters from the Cortez and Lewis-Arriola departments responded, along with the Colorado State Patrol and the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office.

"It was one of the fertilizer trailers you hook behind your tractor being towed," he said. "It did hit the lady's vehicle, and she was trapped underneath the vehicle for a little while until she was released by firefighters."

Boden said the fertilizer implement is not technically considered a trailer, even though it looks like a trailer and has the design of a trailer. Because it's an agricultural machine - a fertilizer spreader - it's not classified as a vehicle and therefore different laws apply.

"Being a farm implement, it throws a kink in things," he said. "How we define vehicles and define objects affects if there is a federal regulation or state law that was violated."

The name of the driver of the Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck pulling the implement in the northbound lane of Highway 491 when the connection came loose will not be released until charges are filed, Boden said. No drugs or alcohol were involved, Boden added.

The vehicle had extensive damage, Wallace said.

"It was quite a mess out there," he said. "I've not seen a Toyota 4Runner that was destroyed that bad in a long time. The roof and the tailgate were on the west side of the road, and the vehicle ended up on the east side."

In the impact, the implement lost the front axle and a tire that rolled through the same pathway as Laney, striking a parked, unattended camper trailer. A northbound Ford F-250 pickup truck traveling behind the farm implement was also damaged from debris that came off the vehicle, Boden said.

Ronda Griffith, of Cortez, was following her friend home after work traveling north on Highway 491, passing the Cortez Livestock Auction, when she saw the oncoming vehicle fly across the road in front of her friend's car.

"There was stuff flying everywhere," she said. "A few more seconds and she would have crashed right into you," she said to her friend, Glenda Alexander, also of Cortez.

Alexander said she saw the trailer come loose and the car flip in front of her.

"The car was flying across the road, end over end," Alexander said. "It threw her out and landed on her leg."

Alexander said she immediately pulled over, called 911 and rushed to the vehicle, where an emergency medical technician from Utah who had been driving behind Laney tended to her, asking her questions.

"At first she was just moaning. Then she started answering the questions," Alexander said. "The EMT asked her if she had on her seat belt, and she said she did."

Considering how severely the vehicle was torn apart, whether or not Laney was wearing her seat belt is a moot point, Boden said.

"It ripped up the B-post that holds her seat belt," he said.

Reach Hope Nealson at hopen@cortezjournal.com.

Horse trailer floor collapses, highway blocked for hours Read more: Mount Airy News - Horse trailer floor collapses highway blocked for hours

2010-09-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

Horse trailer floor collapses, highway blocked for hours

by Mondee Tilley

8 days ago | 1318 views | 1 | 5 | |

LOWGAP — One horse had to be put down after bottom fell out of the trailer it and four other horses were riding in.

The incident happened at N.C. 18 and N.C. 89 at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, according to Skull Camp Volunteer Fire Department Chief Josh Moose.

“Once we got there, we found a truck and a horse trailer that was coming off of N.C. 18 turning onto N.C. 89 when the bottom of the horse trailer broke through and one or two of the horses’ legs fell through. They didn’t know right away that it had happened. So they don’t know how far they had driven like that,” said Moose.

He said there were five horses, two donkeys and one sheep in the trailer. He said one horse was trapped by the legs between the road and the bottom on the trailer and was unable to get up. The horse had to be euthanized at the scene.

He said Surry County Animal Control was called to the scene to remove the animals from the roadway.

Moose said both highways were shut down for 30 minutes and N.C. 18 was closed for more than two hours.

He said the three men in the truck had left a stock yard sale in Virginia and were headed toward Mount Airy at the time of the incident.

Moose said in his opinion the medium-sized horse trailer was overloaded, which caused that accident.

Trooper Kevin Johnson with the N.C. State Highway Patrol charged Jose Rodriguez Flores, of 366 Forest Oaks Drive, Dobson with no registration, no insurance and fictitious tags. Johnson called Trooper Bobby Miller with the Motor Carrier Division who charged Flores with $150 in civil fees for no lights on the trailer and having unsecured load. The Motor Carrier Division is in charge of inspecting trailers.

Dump truck accident closes road for 2 hours...Loose Trailer

2010-09-23T08:04:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Dump truck accident closes road for 2 hours

A trailer carrying a water truck overturned on Duggans Road, off Lime Kiln Road in southern Nevada County, closing the road for two hours Friday afternoon and disrupting school pickup for local students.

Sunny Stephens, 41, of Auburn, was driving the Kenworth dump truck and hauling a flatbed trailer on Lime Kiln Road at about 2 p.m. and was traveling too fast when he tried to turn right on Duggans Road, according to the California Highway Patrol report.

Due to the speed, the flatbed trailer, which was carrying a water truck, fell over and the trailer became detached.

Duggans Road was closed from 3:11 p.m. to 5:16 p.m. so that two heavy-duty tow trucks could remove the vehicles. Durham Transportation was notified and adjusted pickup locations for students from Cottage Hill, Magnolia and Bear River High schools.

CINDY PETERSON: Wilson's rough road to Bismarck

2010-09-23T07:55:00.000-07:00

CINDY PETERSON: Wilson's rough road to Bismarck

By CINDY PETERSON Bismarck Tribune | Posted: Saturday, August 21, 2010 8:51 pm | (0) Comment

Kylee Wilson ran into a string of bad luck the night before she was set to move to Bismarck.

Wilson was traveling from Iowa to her hometown of Omaha, Neb., the evening of Aug. 1.

The next morning Wilson, her mom and a close friend planned to set off for the Capital City so Wilson could start her duties at Bismarck State, where she is the new women's basketball coach and will be starting the school's softball program.

Wilson, her mom and friend went into Iowa to borrow a trailer from her friend's grandfather to help bring her furniture to Bismarck.

Little did Wilson know that her arrival in Bismarck would be delayed by more than two weeks. The trio ended up in an emergency room in Omaha that night.

At about 6 p.m., Wilson was driving her Trailblazer when the women heard a loud noise and felt a strong pull on the vehicle. The trailer started fishtailing.

"I had a semi to the right and a ditch to the left," Wilson said. "There was a bridge 10 to 20 feet in front of me. The trailer went off the edge into the ditch."

A gentleman who witnessed the accident said Wilson's Trailblazer rolled five or six times.

"The guy behind us ran down there right away," Wilson said. "He said sparks had been coming from the trailer. I hit a bump earlier, and we think the trailer came off the hitch and ball. I was pulling the trailer by the chains."

Wilson's mom was able to kick out her window and get out of the vehicle. Wilson couldn't get her door open and was removed by the jaws of life. The roof was cut off to rescue her friend.

"Luckily we were all wearing our seat belts," Wilson said.

Wilson's mom sustained bruises on her right side.

Her friend suffered from whiplash and had a piece of glass lodged in one of her toes.

Wilson took the brunt of everything. She suffered lacerations on her face and forehead. She was treated with six staples to the back of her head.

Doctors shaved part of

her head in the back and some of her hair in the front was shaved from hitting the driver's side window.

Wilson also got stitches in her left knee and still has glass particles in one of her elbows.

Wilson spent two days in the hospital getting CAT scans.

"They found bleeding in my brain," she said. "They couldn't tell if it was from the accident or if I already had it."

Wilson, who normally wears her hair long, came to Bismarck with a different hairdo.

"My mom feels bad because they shaved some of my hair off and I have scars," Wilson said. "It's just hair. It will grow back."

Wilson, who was advised not to travel, came to Bismarck last week for orientation.

She went back to Omaha for a follow-up visit and arrived in Bismarck on Tuesday.

When Wilson entered the emergency room, she wasn't worried about herself.

She was fretting over recruiting for basketball and softball. She was worried about getting her office and apartment set up. She asked her dad to phone BSC athletic director Buster Gilliss immediately.

"I wasn't worried about my injuries," Wilson said. "I knew I was bleeding, but I wasn't in a lot of pain. There were so many things I felt like I needed to do. Everything got put on hold. There's a lot of recruiting to do."

Even though Wilson has been in town for just a few days, she's gotten the opportunity to meet some of her basketball players.

Another thing on Wilson's to-do list is starting up her softball pitching camp.

She's also been welcomed by her colleagues at BSC.

"I haven't met one person who hasn't extended their hand to help out," she said. "Some players offered to help move me into my apartment.

"I can't wait for school to start. I want to get a feel for what the campus is like when the students are there. Right now there's only so much I can do until the athletes get there."

(Cindy Peterson is a Tribune sportswriter.)

Posted in College on Saturday, August 21, 2010 8:51 pm Updated: 9:32 pm. | Tags:

Loose Trailer

2010-06-26T06:47:00.001-07:00

SA Roadlink in hot water again
Eyewitness News 6 Hours Ago
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Western Cape traffic officials said on Saturday the driver of an SA Roadlink bus involved in an incident near Beaufort West may face various charges.
The bus was towing a trailer on Friday night when it became detached. The trailer then smashed into a barrier. Forutnately no one was hurt in the incident.
Provincial traffic’s Kenny Africa said the trailer was found to be unroadworthy.
Roadlink buses have been involved in several accidents on the Cape’s roads in recent months. The Provincial Transport Department is still considering taking action against the company.
“We took the bus, as well as the trailer, to the testing station. They were then taken off the road because there were no brakes on the trailer and [they had] smooth tyres,” he said.
(Edited by Deshnee Subramany)

Man airlifted to Nassau following Freak Accident in Governor’s Harbour

2010-06-26T06:31:00.000-07:00

The Eleutheran - Eleuthera News, Sport and much more from Eleuthera: Man airlifted to Nassau following Freak Accident in Governor’s Harbour
Man airlifted to Nassau following Freak Accident in Governor’s Harbour
================================================================================
admin on 25 June, 2010

(Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera) - The Bay Front at Governor’s Harbour was the
scene of what appeared to be a freak accident, which left one man injured and
others badly shaken.
At about 9:55 am on Thursday June 25th, police were informed of the accident
that occurred on the main road going north out of Governor’s Harbour, just
prior to reaching the Levy Clinic.
Tony Gierzewski, of Governor’s Harbour was traveling south in a gold Ford
Ranger with a trailer and boat in tow. Glen Edwards of Tarpum Bay, along with a
front seat passenger, Kenrick Cartwright, also of Tarpum Bay, were traveling in
the opposite direction in a grey Dodge Durango, when according to witnesses, the
trailer broke off the Ranger and slammed into the front passenger cabin of the
Durango, shattering the front windshield and tearing back a portion of the roof.
Close-up of damaged vehicle
Cartwright who was seated exactly where a chunk of the trailer got lodged,
reportedly received injuries to his head and arm and was taken immediately to
the Levy Clinic before being taken by medevac to the Capital, Nassau, for
further treatment.
At press time, the exact nature of his condition was not known.
Trailer, boat and damaged vehicle along the harbour.
Mr. Gierzewski (left) inspects the detached trailer.

Motorcyclist killed in collision with boat in Burnett County

2010-06-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

Motorcyclist killed in collision with boat in Burnett County
Mon, 06/21/2010 - 4:52pm Mon, 06/21/2010 - 4:52pm
-->Submitted by Jon Ellis
-->
Public Safety
Northwestern Wisconsin
FOX 21 News
WEBB LAKE, Wis. - A motorcyclist from the Twin Cities was killed when his bike collided with an out-of-control boat trailer on Saturday afternoon.
The crash happened on County Highway H and Oak Lake Road in the Town of Scott at 12:21 p.m. The Burnett County Sheriff's Department said a northbound truck towing a boat trailer was attempting to pass another vehicle when the driver lost control.
The boat swung into the southbound lane and struck a motorcycle driven by Christopher Brock, 40, of Andover, Minn. Brock, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown from the motorcycle and died at the scene of the crash.
The truck towing the boat was driven by a 73-year-old man from Kieler, Wis. Authorities are investigating and have not decided whether to file charges.

Travel trailer demolished in accident

2010-06-20T14:53:00.001-07:00

Travel trailer demolished in accident

Published Saturday June 19th, 2010

Tammy Scott-Wallace/Telegraph-Journal
A travel trailer lies in ruins on a highway median after an accident just outside Sussex around noon on Friday. The driver of a black pickup truck was towing the trailer when the trailer blew a tire, causing him to lose control. The driver, who works for a Rothesay Avenue RV dealership, had just finished delivering a new travel trailer to Sussex and was returning the owner's 1991 trailer to the dealership as a trade-in when the accident happened. When the tire blew, the trailer went out of control and turned, causing the truck (seen in the photo) pulling the trailer to travel on two wheels a short distance along Route 1. The trailer became detached from the pickup truck and rolled into the ditch, breaking apart and dumping its contents onto the median of the busy highway. The accident happened just outside the eastern edge of Sussex town limits.

News Boat crashes into bus shelter in Newbiggin

2010-06-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

Boat crashes into bus shelter in Newbiggin

http://newbiggin.journallive.co.uk/2010/06/boat-crashes-into-bus-shelter.html

Boat crashes into bus shelter in Newbiggin
Posted by The Journal on Jun 17, 10 04:44 PM in News
A pub landlady has told of the bizarre moment when she looked out of the window of her flat and saw a fishing boat careering down the main street.
Carol Dawson couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the vessel 'sailing' along the main road in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

Amazingly, it missed colliding with cars parked on either side of the road before hitting a bus shelter and coming to a halt.

The 14ft fibreglass boat was on the back of a trailer which had become detached from the car which was towing it in the coastal village on Tuesday night.

A group of men in three vehicles tried to straighten a bent supporting pole in the shelter before re-attaching the boat and trailer to a car and heading off for the nearby beach.

Carol, who is licensee of the Cresswell Arms in Newbiggin's High Street, contacted police who came out and spoke to those involved in the incident.

She was sitting at her computer in the pub's upstairs flat at about 9.50pm when she heard a noise which sounded like a car overturning.

Carol went on: "I looked out and saw this boat going along the street on the back of a trailer, which had obviously come loose from a car, and banging on the road.

"I think it must have been tied to the car with a bit of string which snapped. I couldn't believe it because it just looked so unreal to see a boat sailing along the street on its own. It then hit the bus stop and the pole must have moved about eight inches to a foot because of the impact.
"I phoned the police because the bus shelter was unsafe. The whole thing was unreal and my husband Jimmy and I wondered if we were seeing things. We had a laugh but if there had been anyone in the bus shelter they would have been squashed."

A Northumbria Police spokesman said it appeared the incident had happened while the vehicle, trailer and boat were reversing near Church Point.

"Officers attended and there was no lasting damage to the bus shelter," he added.
Have you got a picture of the runaway boat? Contact the Newsdesk on (0191) 201 6446

Hazardous material spill closes Highway 70 for nearly 3 hours

2010-06-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

Hazardous material spill closes Highway 70 for nearly 3 hours

Hazardous material spill closes Highway 70 for nearly 3 hours
clocke@sacbee.com (Cathy Locke)
Posted: 06/17/2010 6:52 PM

By Cathy Locke clocke@sacbee.com
Highway 70 was closed to all traffic for about three hours this afternoon because of a hazardous material spill.
Marysville police and firefighters were called to the 1500 block of B Street, part of Highway 70, about 12:33 p.m. after a chemical was reported leaking from a commercial vehicle. Police reported that a tank truck containing 1,500 gallons of aqueous ammonia was spilling the chemical onto the highway.
Nearby residents and businesses were evacuated as a safety precaution.
The tank truck had been traveling south on B Street when the driver noticed that the trailer he had been hauling had detached from the tank truck, according to a Police Department news release. After becoming detached, the trailer slid forward causing damage to a valve that protruded to the rear of the truck. The damage to the valve caused approximately 250 gallons of aqueous ammonia to spill onto the highway, police reported.
The tanker was being operated under the authority of the Tremont Group, based in Woodland, the news release said.
Full Story >>

Crash closed I-80 again...Camper Trailer Detached

2010-06-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

Crash closed I-80 again
http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/537808.html?nav=5021

POSTED: May 26, 2010

LIBERTY Two people were injured after a camper trailer detached from a pickup truck which then overturned Tuesday evening, bringing Interstate 80 traffic to a standstill for a second day in a row.

Dorothy Treible, 71, of Pierceton, Ind., was flown by helicopter to St. Elizabeth Health Center, where she was treated for a severe injury to her right arm and other moderate injuries, according to the Warren Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The eastbound lanes were shut down for more than an hour, and the westbound lanes were shut down for about 30 minutes to allow the helicopter to land, a Trumbull County 911 supervisor said. Traffic was backed up for more than three miles, according to one witness.

Treible's husband, Bryan, 70, was taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth for treatment of moderate injuries, a patrol report states. Both were listed in stable condition Tuesday night.
The Treibles were traveling east on I-80 about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in a 2002 Ford F-250 pulling a camper trailer. The trailer swayed when Bryan Treible, the driver, attempted to change lanes, then detached and overturned on the roadside when the pickup swerved.

The pickup truck went off the right side of the roadway, hit a guardrail and overturned down an embankment, according to the patrol.

The crash was about a mile west of the state Route 7 exit and three miles west of the Interstate 680 exchange. A supervisor at the Trumbull County 911 Center said it also was about one mile west of the area where a triple-fatality crash occurred Monday afternoon.

Shortly before 2 p.m. Monday, eastbound traffic was merging heading into a construction zone when an SUV was sandwiched between two tractor-trailer rigs when the rear one did not stop for stalled traffic. All three people in the SUV died.

That section of the interstate was closed for about six hours, trapping cars that were between exits.

Driver hurt when SUV towing trailer overturns on Rt. 287

2010-06-20T14:31:00.001-07:00

June 12, 2010

RIVERDALE — A SUV and the camper trailer it was pulling overturned on Route 287 North around 12:15 p.m. Saturday, entrapping the driver, state police said.

The accident occurred when the driver, who was alone in his vehicle, hit a bump, causing the trailer to come loose.The driver was extricated by firefighters and was airlifted to Morristown Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for a broken arm and released, officials said. No other vehicles were involved in the accident, no one else was injured and no summonses were issued.
Traffic was backed up some four miles along Route 287 and delayed one hour, as just one lane was open. The name of the driver was not made public at press time.

Pruett did not use any safety chains to ensure that the trailer remained attached to the truck.

2010-06-18T02:14:00.000-07:00

Posted On: June 15, 2010 by The Berniard Law Firm

Tragic Auto Accident in Morehouse Parish Illustrates Insurance Coverage Requirements for Substitute Vehicles

Imagine the following scenario: you are involved in a fender-bender in the parking lot of the grocery store. Your car is taken to the body shop for repairs. Since you need transportation to get to work and other places in the mean time, you rent a car from the local agency. When picking up the car, you'll no doubt be offered liability insurance through the agency--at an additional cost, of course. There may also be coverage available through the credit card you use to pay for the rental. And then there is the policy you maintain on your regular car. Does it extend coverage to the rental?

Louisiana law recognizes a "temporary substitute vehicle," which is commonly defined by insurance companies as a short-term substitute for a car that is out of service due to breakdown, repair, servicing, theft, or destruction. State statute requires automobile insurance companies to "extend to temporary substitute motor vehicles ... any and all such insurance coverage in effect in the original policy." La. R.S. 22:681. In other words, the auto insurer must provide the same coverage to the rental car as was already in place on the regular vehicle.

The recent case of Smith v. Louisiana Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, No. 45,013, Ct. of App. of La., 2d Cir. (2010), explored the definition of "temporary substitute vehicle" in detail. On the morning of May 28, 2005, Brian Smith was driving a 2003 Nissan Altima on U.S. Highway 425 in Morehouse Parish. At the same time, Joshua Pruett was driving a 1998 Dodge Ram pickup truck on the highway in the opposite direction. Pruett's truck was pulling a utility trailer containing crawfish and ice that had been loaded in Crowley. The ball on the truck's trailer hitch was too small for the trailer and Pruett did not use any safety chains to ensure that the trailer remained attached to the truck. The trailer eventually disconnected from the truck, at which point it crossed the highway's center line and collided with Smith's Altima. Smith died at the scene from the severe trauma he sustained in the accident.

Ordinarily, Pruett hauled crawfish for his employer, Broubar, Inc., in a larger Dodge pickup truck that is equipped with a refrigeration cooler biult into its bed. However, on the day of the accident, the larger truck was being repaired, so Pruett's employer substituted the smaller truck. The smaller truck could not hold a cooler for the crawfish in its bed, and so the utility trailer was used instead.

One of the issues before the court on appeal was whether Pruett's truck and trailer, together, would be considered a "temporary substitute vehicle" for purposes of insurance coverage. The insurance carrier who issued the policy for Pruett's usual truck argued that the trial court erroneously treated the truck and trailer as a single unit. However, the Court of Appeals noted that

in order for the [smaller] Dodge to function as a temporary substitute vehicle for the [larger] Dodge, it needed to pull a trailer that could hold a cooler to keep the crawfish refrigerated... Accordingly, we find no error in the trial court's conclusion that the [smaller] Dodge truck and the trailer together constituted a temporary substitute vehicle operating as a single unit.

The Smith case demonstrates the willingness of Louisiana courts to interpret the "temporary substitute vehicle" concept broadly in a way that can significantly benefit plaintiffs. If insurance coverage is not extended to temporary substitute vehicles, a motorist who is injured by a driver operating a substitute vehicle could seek damages only from the vehicle's owner. Even in a situation like the Smith case, where a corporation owned the vehicle, the owner may not have sufficient assets to fully compensate the victim. By extending insurance coverage whenever possible, the courts make it more likely that an accident victim can be made whole.

If you have been injured in a car accident, call the Berniard Law Firm toll-free at 1-866-574-8005 to speak with an attorney who can help.

Posted by The Berniard Law Firm | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accident , Civil Matter , Insurance Dispute , Litigation

Loose Trailer Chemical Spill In Washtenaw County

2010-06-18T02:00:00.000-07:00

Chemical Spill In Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County Hazmat crews and the Augusta Fire Department spent Friday morning cleaning up a chemical spill on Willis Road, east of Stony Creek.

Michigan State Police Trooper Josh Reeber said the chemical, anhydrous ammonia, was realeased when a crop service trailer unhitched and rolled over into a field.

It took more than two hours for the crews to get the small chemical spill under control Friday morning.

Reeber said the chemical is not lethal in small quantities, but can be tricky to deal with if inhaled in large amounts.

Reeber said officers dealing with anhydrous ammonia is a concern.

"We've had officers who have died when they opened a trunk and there was a meth lab, and they opened the container. The anhydrous ammonia comes out and just from inhaling it it can attack their lungs and they can die instantly," he said.

Reeber said there was no need to evacuate nearby homes, but because the wind was traveling in a southeast direction residents in a half mile radius were advised of the situation.

Reeber said officials decided that it was a small enough leak that they weren't concerned that it would travel through the air and cause harm.

The Washtenaw County Hazardous Materials Response Team is on the scene of a rollover accident that dumped a reported 1,000 gallons of anhydrous ammonia near Willis Road in Augusta Township.

Willis Road is closed between Hitchingham and Stony Creek Road. The truck rolled over west of Pittman Road.

No further details were available at noon.

Trailer leads truck to flip on interstate

2010-06-18T01:25:00.000-07:00

Billy W. Hobbs/Staff

Two Augusta men were injured when the driver of this pickup truck lost control on Interstate 20 in McDuffie County.

By Billy W. Hobbs
Staff Writer

Two men who work for the Salvation Army in Augusta managed to escape serious injuries after they were involved in a wreck on Interstate 20 in McDuffie County.

Trooper First Class Mike Callaway of the Georgia State Patrol post in Grovetown identified the victims as: William Lee Welch, of the 800 block of Heard Avenue in Augusta, and Henry Ross, formerly of Thomson, who now is living in Augusta.

The victims, who received various visible injuries, were treated at the scene by personnel with the McDuffie County Emergency Medical Services and firefighters/first responders with the McDuffie County Fire/Rescue Services. They were taken by ambulance to University Hospital in Augusta where they were treated and released.

Trooper First Class Willie Ramsey said Mr. Welch was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with a Salvation Army trailer eastbound along I-20 shortly before 12:30 p.m. last Thursday.

"The trailer got loose with him and caused him to lose control of the pickup," Trooper Ramsey said.

The pickup then turned over at least once.

The victims, who were both seat-belted, managed to crawl out of the truck Medical personnel discovered the victims sitting on an embankment overlooking the passing traffic.

The pickup truck along with the trailer sustained extensive damages in the crash.

Web posted on Thursday, May 20, 2010

Loose boat trailer runs into house

2010-06-15T03:09:00.000-07:00

26 days ago | 2748 views

No one hurt when boat runs into house off Old Dalton Road

Read more: http://romenews-tribune.com/view/full_story/7479135/article-No-one-hurt-when-boat-runs-into-house-off-Old-Dalton-Road?instance=news_page_secondary_local#ixzz0qunWFwIb

The coupling of a trailer holding a boat came loose Wednesday afternoon, sending the boat into a home at 12 Mark St., off Old Dalton Road, said Floyd County Police Officer Buddy Parris.

The driver, Renderal Adams, 30, of Rome, was driving south when the incident occurred, Parris said.

No one was injured.

Trailer towing bill to be drafted...we're ready to Help!

2010-06-15T02:52:00.000-07:00

Trailer towing bill to be drafted

WFRV News

Story Created: May 13, 2010 at 9:14 AM CDT

Story Updated: May 13, 2010 at 9:15 AM CDT

GREEN BAY (WFRV) - A recent accident in our area has lawmakers calling for tougher regulations on towing trailers.

You may remember 19 year old, Whitney Rodder from Kiel died last month when a trailer from a pick-up truck came loose and hit her car.

Senator Dave Hansen of Green Bay says he has found the State can do more to make sure these type of accidents don't happen.

He hopes to draft a bill by January that will make towing regulations stiffer.

Trailer broke loose from the vehicle

2010-06-15T02:32:00.000-07:00

By Paul Rolly

Tribune Columnist

Updated: 05/15/2010 07:34:57 PM MDT

» John C. Crosby was towing the University of Utah's Army ROTC trailer on I-15 when the trailer broke loose from the vehicle and took him for a wild, short ride. Thankfully, the safety chains held in place. He came to a stop in the right lane, then called his boss and asked that he send someone with another pin to secure the hitch. About that time, two men had stopped behind him and asked what they could do to help. When he told them what the problem was, one of the men went to his truck and brought back a pin. He and his companion lifted the trailer back into the receiver, secured the pin and Crosby was on his way. As he was leaving, he noticed a Salt Lake County Sheriff sticker on his savior's rear window.

Runaway trailer unhinges chaos

2010-06-15T02:18:00.000-07:00

The runaway trailer that sparked chaos at the bottom of the Toowoomba Range last night.

John Farmer | 24th May 2010

A RUNAWAY trailer sparked a series of incidents at the bottom of the Toowoomba Range last night.

The trailer was being towed by a Toyota Land Cruiser when it became unhinged at the bottom of the Range in the eastward-bound lanes about 7.25pm.

It came to a stop in the outside lane before three vehicles collided with it.

A Hyundai Excel Sprint, the first vehicle to collide with the trailer, and a Nissan Maxima sedan sustained the worst of the damage.

None of the occupants of the vehicles were injured. The eastward-bound lanes were closed for about 25 minutes as emergency crews cleared the scene.

Trailer dislodges on I-40

2010-06-15T02:09:00.000-07:00

Trailer dislodges on I-40

Traffic affected

Updated: Friday, 28 May 2010, 3:10 PM MDT
Published : Friday, 28 May 2010, 3:10 PM MDT

Web Producer: Devon Armijo

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Interstate 40 near Rio Grande was severely congested after a camper separated from the truck hauling it on Friday afternoon.

A Ford truck carrying a trailer was traveling in the eastbound lanes of I-40 when the truck suffered a blowout.

The camper was then dislodged and made its way into the westbound lanes.

A few other vehicles were damaged by the runaway trailer.

Traffic was severely congested in both lanes while police cleaned up and investigated the crash.

Detached U-Haul Trailer Strikes, Kills Pittsburgh Artist

2010-06-15T01:25:00.000-07:00

Detached U-Haul Trailer Strikes, Kills Pittsburgh Artist

Family, Friends Mourn Wood Sculptor

Posted: 9:39 pm EDT May 13, 2010Updated: 4:40 pm EDT May 14, 2010

PITTSBURGH -- Police in Pittsburgh said a trailer came loose from a passing pickup truck and struck an artist who was carving a wooden sculpture in the city's Larimer neighborhood.Authorities said John Metzler, 46, was using a chainsaw and wearing heavy ear protection when the small U-Haul trailer broke free from the passing truck along Washington Boulevard.Police said the truck hit a divot in the road and the trailer detached, hitting Metzler as he carved the sculpture Thursday night at his Urban Tree Forge studio in the East Liberty neighborhood.Metzler was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital, where he later died from his injuries.Police questioned the driver, but did not file charges.

They are still investigating the cause of the accident and are trying to determine if the trailer was properly attached to the truck.Metzler’s father, Fred Metzler, said his son started Urban Tree Forge two years ago.“It was his life,” Fred Metzler said Friday. “He loved nature. He loved trees. He loved just being. He loved life and, I guess, most of all, he loved his friends.”On Friday, friends and co-workers gathered at the workshop to pay tribute to John Metzler. They placed flowers in front of the workshop and hung a T-shirt by the front door.

“We have employees and he had a lot of friends and a lot of customers that were in the midst of dealing with him," Fred Metzler said.“He was a personal friend,” said Jim Fowkes. “He was a real great guy, always there when you needed him.”

The trailer disconnected from the vehicle

2010-05-17T02:19:00.000-07:00

Traffic collision and concrete slow morning commute in Ontario

Lori Consalvo, Staff Writer

Posted: 05/14/2010 03:41:01 PM PDT

A traffic collision involving a number of vehicles and slabs of concrete disrupted Friday's morning commute on the 10 Freeway.

About 6:20 a.m., the driver of a vehicle towing a trailer loaded with broken pieces of concrete lost control in the westbound lanes just west of 4th Street, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The trailer disconnected from the vehicle, CHP Officer Jeff Briggs said, and got loose on the freeway.

"The concrete pieces came out and fell onto both sides of the freeway," Briggs said.

Three to four vehicles were involved in the collision, he said. There were no reported injuries.

While the collision happened near the guardrail, Briggs said there was no damage to the center divider.

Traffic on both sides of the freeway slowed while officials closed the westbound car pool lane and issued a Sig Alert, which lasted about an hour and a half.

Caltrans workers were called to the scene to clean up the concrete.

Unhitched boat strikes vehicle; owner unidentified Posted: May 10, 2010 - 7:53pm

2010-05-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

James and Dorothy Murray’s Kia Berrego lays upside down in the west bound lane of Interstate 40 just south of Dave Ward Drive on Monday after a boat and it’s trailer came unhitched from a vehicle driving eastbound and crossed the median into their vehicle’s path. The Murrays were transported to Conway Regional Medical Center, where they are listed in stable condition. LIBERTY PARKS PHOTO

Unhitched boat strikes vehicle; owner unidentified

Posted: May 10, 2010 - 7:53pm

By Courtney Spradlin

Two Texas residents are listed in stable condition after officials say a boat that became free of its tower struck their vehicle on Interstate 40 late Monday afternoon.

James and Dorothy Murray, ages 42 and 41, were headed west on I-40 near exit 129 when a boat and trailer being towed eastbound became unhitched and crossed the median into their path.

Cpl. G. Dycus of the Arkansas State Police said “evasive action” caused a loss of control of the vehicle, which came to rest on its roof.

The vehicle towing the boat and trailer did not stop and the hull number retrieved from the boat was not listed on file.

“There’s no record of that hull number and unless someone comes forward looking for it, we may be out of luck,” Dycus said.

Dycus said witnesses on scene could not describe the vehicle that lost its tow.

The trailer contained no tags, and several alcohol containers were found inside the boat.

Responding were Conway Police and Fire Departments, MEMS and Arkansas State Police.

(Staff writer Courtney Spradlin can be reached by e-mail at courtney.spradlin@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1236. To comment on this and other stories in the Log Cabin, log on to www.thecabin.net. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)

Man found guilty in deadly accident

2010-05-13T01:56:00.000-07:00

By Staff reports

Hannibal Courier-Post

Posted Apr 19, 2010 @ 04:05 PM

Carthage, IL —

An Iowa man has been found guilty of fleeing the scene and driving with a revoked license in an accident that killed a six-year-old West-Central Illinois girl.

Authorities say a makeshift trailer attached to a vehicle driven by 42-year-old Gary L. Mason of Argyle, Iowa, came loose and struck a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Lora Smajlovic of Hamilton, Ill.

The accident happened at 11:10 a.m. Dec. 28, 2009, on Ill. 96 in Hamilton. Smajlovic’s daughter, Emma, was killed. Three other passengers were injured.

Mason was found guilty in a bench trial. Sentencing was set for May 24.

Rockford man sentenced to jail for trailer accident that killed 46-year-old woman

2010-05-13T01:36:00.000-07:00

Rockford man sentenced to jail for trailer accident that killed 46-year-old woman

By Nate Reens | The Grand Rapids Press

April 27, 2010, 3:10PM

Thomas DellsUPDATE: 'We all lose' says crash victim's partner after man sentenced to jail for out-of-control trailer

GRAND RAPIDS -- A Rockford man will serve up to 4 1/2 months in jail for failing to properly secure a trailer he was hauling when it came unhinged and hit an oncoming SUV, killing Toni Hall, a 46-year-old grandmother.

Kent County Circuit Court Judge Donald Johnston on Tuesday ordered Thomas Dells to the incarceration stint for the Oct. 28 crash on 10 Mile Road NE, east of Myers Lake Avenue in Courtland Township.

Dells pleaded no contest to a negligent homicide charge, an offense punishable by up to two years in jail. The plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes.

Dells had used duct tape as one means of securing the trailer, which he was using to haul items from a foreclosed home.

The trailer came loose from Dells' van and became airborne, flying over a car following Dells and hitting the windshield of the sedan driven by Hall.

Before sentencing, the victim's daughter told Johnston of her pain from her Hall's death.

"No matter what happens here, he is still the winner," Tiffany Drye said. "All I'm left with is an emptiness only a mother can fill."

Debra Carter, who was in the car with Hall at the time of the crash, said her injuries linger, including brain and nerve damage.

"This crash caused many who loved her a lifelong journey of pain and suffering," Carter said.

E-mail Nate Reens: nreens@grpress.com

Duct Tape and a Screw Driver To attach her trailer...Warrant out for mother in deadly December I-35 crash

2010-05-12T13:01:00.000-07:00

LORENA

Warrant out for mother in deadly December I-35 crash

Posted: May 10, 2010 10:08 PM EDT

LORENA - Lorena Police have been investigating a four vehicle crash on December 8, 2009 since it happened.

Now, they said they have found enough evidence to issue a warrant to bring 38-year-old Mirella Meza from Missouri back to Texas on felony charges.

The warrant is for injury to a child-recklessness.

Police say Meza, who was also towing a van, and whose daughter Isabelle died in the crash, is to blame for the fatal wreck.

"The Lorena Police are alleging Ms. Meza was negligent in her care and custody of the child," Victor Kuykendoll, Lorena Police, said.

Back in December, authorities said the car simply lost control in the wet weather, but new evidence from Lorena police suggest other reasons.

According to phone records and witness accounts, Meza was supposedly on her cell phone at the time of the wreck. Her daughter was also no secured in the back seat, and she was towing another car using a hitch held together with duct tape and a screw driver.

In an open records search News Channel 25 did, it was discovered that Meza had her drivers license revoked, she's had 18 traffic violations in Missouri since 1998, including leaving the scene of an accident, five citations for driving with no license, and another four for driving while her license was either suspended, revoked, or denied.

Meza told Lorena police she would turn herself into the McLennan County Jail by Monday. So far, she is not booked in.

RCMP corral loose cattle Global News: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 2:20 PM Read it on Global News: RCMP corral loose cattle from loose trailer

2010-05-12T12:54:00.001-07:00

They're not your usual suspects... RCMP helped corral six loose cows along a Winnipeg highway Wednesday morning.

The incident unfolded on the Perimeter -- between Henderson Highway and Lagimodiere Boulevard shortly before 9 a.m.

The cattle reportedly jumped off a moving trailer when it became unsecured.

All the cows survived the incident and only minor traffic disruptions occurred.

The 81-year-old driver is facing a charge under the highway traffic act.

Read it on Global News: RCMP corral loose cattle

Lawmaker Wants Stricter Rules on Trailer Hitches Posted Wednesday May 12, 2010 2 hours, 14 minutes ago

2010-05-12T12:25:00.000-07:00

Lawmaker Wants Stricter Rules on Trailer Hitches

Posted Wednesday May 12, 2010 2 hours, 14 minutes ago

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WTAQ) - A state senator is looking into a possible bill for stricter rules on vehicles that pull trailers. Democrat Dave Hansen of Green Bay hopes to submit a proposal in the next legislative session which begins in January.

It’s in response to an accident last month on the Highway 41 expressway near Green Bay. A trailer broke from a pickup truck, struck a car, and killed its driver – UW-Green Bay student Whitney Radder of Kiel.

The truck driver was given 2 traffic citations for using sub-standard hitches, and towing with improper safety chains. No criminal charges have been filed, and authorities continue to investigate.

Media reports say Wisconsin has the 11th highest number of deaths involving cars that tow trailers. There were 377 such deaths and over 11,000 injuries between 1975 and 2008. And the state DOT said there were 117 citations issued in connection with trailer mishaps in the last 5 years.

May 11, 2010 Runaway trailer causes injuries

2010-05-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

May 11, 2010

Runaway trailer causes injuries

Two Missouri motorists were injured Friday when a trailer came loose from the truck pulling it.

Randy and Debbie Dry, Ava, Mo., were driving west on Highway 60, five miles east of Wyandotte. Dakota Riggins of Springdale, Ark. was

eastbound in a 2008 Ford truck, hauling a 12-foot trailer.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Roy Parker reported that Riggins’ trailer detached from the truck just before 5 p.m. The trailer went into the westbound lane, striking the Drys’ Ford Focus head-on.

Debbie Dry, 55, was flown by EagleMed to Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo., where she was admitted in poor condition. She suffered arm, leg and internal injuries. Randy Dry, 58, was flown by Med Flight to Freeman Hospital with head and arm injuries.

Riggins, 19, was not injured.

Trailer overturns on I-95; no serious injuries reported

2010-05-12T09:36:00.000-07:00

Published: 01:56 PM, Wed Apr 21, 2010

Trailer overturns on I-95; no serious injuries reported

Published: 01:56 PM, Wed Apr 21, 2010

Trailer overturns on I-95; no serious injuries reported

A sport utility vehicle pulling a trailer ran off Interstate 95 early this afternoon. The trailer overturned, but no serious injuries were reported and traffic was not seriously affected.

The red SUV, with New Hampshire plates, ran off the southbound lanes of I-95 near exit 52B, which leads to N.C. 24.

Emergency Medical Services workers said the driver, whose name was not available, was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center for evaluation.

A family of four from Farmington, N.H., was riding in the SUV, headed to the coast, EMS workers said.

The vehicle ran into a wooded embankment. The trailer, a long camper with bicycles and a propane tank attached, overturned. The SUV was wedged on an embankment

Runaway boat, trailer cause injury crash

2010-05-10T10:35:00.001-07:00

Runaway boat, trailer cause injury crash

Posted: May 06, 2010 12:20 PM EDT Updated: May 06, 2010 12:20 PM EDT

By Heartland News

HARDIN COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - A crash involving a runaway boat and trailer sent two people to the hospital.

Berry Vickers, 64, of Herod, Illinois was pulling a trailer with a pontoon boat on it north on Route 34 Wednesday afternoon, according to the Illinois State Police.

Vickers told police as he crossed a bridge just north of Karbers Ridge Road in Hardin County, the trailer and boat detached from his truck.

Police say the trailer and boat crossed the center line and hit 30-year-old Patricia Adkisson from Cave-in-Rock head on. She was taken to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana with major injuries.

Jonathan Anderson, 22, from Creal Springs was driving northbound behind Vickers. He suffered minor injuries.

Anderson was taken to Harrisburg Hospital.

Troopers cited Vickers with unsafe equipment and for improper or no safety chains.

All three drivers were wearing their seatbelts.

Runaway boat, trailer cause injury crash

2010-05-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

Runaway boat, trailer cause injury crash

Posted: May 06, 2010 12:20 PM EDT Updated: May 06, 2010 12:20 PM EDT

By Heartland News

HARDIN COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - A crash involving a runaway boat and trailer sent two people to the hospital.

Berry Vickers, 64, of Herod, Illinois was pulling a trailer with a pontoon boat on it north on Route 34 Wednesday afternoon, according to the Illinois State Police.

Vickers told police as he crossed a bridge just north of Karbers Ridge Road in Hardin County, the trailer and boat detached from his truck.

Jonathan Anderson, 22, from Creal Springs was driving northbound behind Vickers. He suffered minor injuries.

Anderson was taken to Harrisburg Hospital.

Troopers cited Vickers with unsafe equipment and for improper or no safety chains.

All three drivers were wearing their seatbelts.

Loose trailer leaves A14 closed

2010-05-10T10:32:00.003-07:00

Loose trailer leaves A14 closed

Sunday, 9 May, 2010
13:34 PM

A SECTION of the A14 was closed for over an hour after a trailer overturned.

Suffolk police were called to Dock Spur Roundabout, in Trimley St Martin, after a trailer came loose and overturned.

The incident, which took place at junction 60 of the A14 at 12.08pm yesterday, left the road blocked while recovery was arranged.

No one is believed to have been injured.

Wayward fertilizer spreader damages local residence

2010-04-20T02:49:00.000-07:00

Wayward fertilizer spreader damages local residence

Thursday, April 8, 2010

By The Times News Staff

This runaway fertilizer spreader caused heavy damage to the home of Rodney and Kim Rouse Thursday afternoon. The trailer reportedly came loose from the truck that was pulling it east on West Main Street at the time of the mishap. It rolled across two yards and impacted the home on the northeast corner.
(Times photo/Tim Blair)
[Click to enlarge]

A runaway fertilizer spreader did considerable damage to a home on West Main Street in the city Thursday, April 1.

The damage was sustained to the residence of Rodney and Kim Rouse, 920 West Main Street, after the spreader came loose from a truck being driven by Jeff Wolfenbarger of Holly Island.

Apparently, Wolfenbarger was driving east on West Main Street at the time of the mishap. As the vehicle he was driving crested the hill at the intersection of Main and South Tenth Avenue, the spreader trailer apparently came loose. The wayward trailer then crossed a yard, narrowly missing a power pole and tree, and impacted the northeast corner of the Rouse residence.

There was a great deal of damage to the structure, although it was limited to the immediate area of the impact. No one was home at the time, and there were no injuries. Wolfenbarger was cited by the investigating officer, Patrolman Scott Redmon, for failure to properly secure a trailer

Boat breaks loose on North 27th

2010-04-15T11:01:00.001-07:00

Courtesy photo
A boat and trailer traveled for about a half-mile, sideswiping a car along the way, down a busy downtown street Wednesday afternoon after they became detached from the truck pulling them.

Gazette Staff | Posted: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10:59 pm | (10) Comments

http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_bdaa0d88-484c-11df-82d8-001cc4c002e0.html

A boat and trailer traveled for about a half-mile, sideswiping a car along the way, down a busy downtown street Wednesday afternoon after they became detached from the truck pulling them.

Billings Police Lt. RD Harper said a 41-year-old Billings man, whose name has not been released, was driving a Dodge pickup truck southbound on North 27th Street when the trailer holding the 15-foot Bayliner motorboat became unhitched at about 4:40 p.m. near Montana State University Billings.

The trailer and boat rolled south on 27th, crossed into the oncoming traffic lane and sideswiped a northbound Saab passenger car near the intersection with Mountain View Boulevard. The trailer continued to head down 27th and the boat eventually fell off.

A northbound Ford passenger car ran over the trailer’s tongue while the boat traveled south for another 0.3 miles, Harper said, before finally coming to a stop in the driveway of several businesses at the intersection of 27th and 12th Avenue North.

“We were working and looked out the window,” said Jamie Conrad, who owns Willow Creek Day Spa, at 1139 N. 27th St. “It was like, ‘There goes a boat and it’s going down the wrong way.’”

A group of softball players from MSUB was able to get the boat out of the road, Harper said, and it was later loaded back up onto the trailer.

No injuries were reported and no citations were issued.

1 Dead in BMW vs. Trailer Collision..Driver With Trailer went through Red Light.

2010-04-04T05:43:00.001-07:00

Just a horrific Accident: Questions must be asked.
What special training is required before you can tow?

Did the trailer that is double axle have a secondary breaking system?

Was the Pick up rated to tow and stop a trailer of this weight class?

Why couldn't she stop? Was the combination of Pick UP weight and trailer too much?

What would be happening now if a Tractor Trailer from a company did this?

1 Dead in BMW vs. Trailer Collision

Updated: Friday, 02 Apr 2010, 10:20 PM MDT
Published : Friday, 02 Apr 2010, 4:07 PM MDT

PHOENIX - A driving lesson turns deadly for a valley man after an F-150 truck pulling a horse trailer and a BMW car collide in north Phoenix.

It happened about 2 p.m. at the intersection of 32nd St and Greenway.

A 15-year-old with a learners permit was driving the BMW. The passenger of the BMW, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The female driver of the truck and the 15-year-old were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

There were no animals in the horse trailer.

Police say the boy was attempted to turn left on a green light when he was hit by the truck. Investigators are trying to determine who was at fault.

The victims' names have not yet been released.

FOX 10's Britt Moreno has the eyewitness account.

Man guilty of animal cruelty...Tied Horse To Trailer

2010-03-26T03:11:00.000-07:00

Published Saturday March 13, 2010

Man guilty of animal cruelty

LEXINGTON — A Kearney man has been found guilty of felony animal cruelty after police say he dragged a horse behind his trailer last summer.

Tyler Brockman, 22, pleaded no contest Friday in Dawson County District Court to one count of felony cruelty to an animal resulting in injury or death.

Judge James Doyle ordered Brockman to undergo a presentence investigation to be conducted by the state probation department.

Sentencing will be in May. Brockman faces up to five years in prison.

Brockman had participated in the annual July 4 rodeo at Sumner. Court records said after the rodeo, he went to the bar and drank what he later told a counselor was five to six beers before leaving.

Before entering the bar, Brockman had tied a horse to the back of his stock trailer. After leaving the bar, Brockman left in the pickup and drove through Sumner with the horse still tied to the back of the trailer.

Brockman dragged the horse for about a mile before a person stopped him just east of Sumner. The horse was put into the trailer, and Brockman left the area.

Brockman was stopped later that evening in Buffalo County and arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. The horse was found dead July 6 on a farm north of Funk in Phelps County. — World-Herald News Service

Nurse Dies In Vietnam Vets Blvd. Wreck Vanberbilt Nurse Killed After Leaving Work; Son Prepares For NCAA Tournament

2010-03-26T02:56:00.000-07:00

Nurse Dies In Vietnam Vets Blvd. Wreck

Vanberbilt Nurse Killed After Leaving Work; Son Prepares For NCAA Tournament

POSTED: 6:08 am CDT March 15,2010

UPDATED: 9:59 pm CDT March 15,2010

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -- A local nurse who is the mother of a Murray State basketball player was killed Monday morning after a Dumpster came loose from a truck on Vietnam Veterans Boulevard.

Related: 6 p.m. Report \| Images \| Noon Report \| Morning Report

At about 5:30 a.m., an Allied Waste Services truck lost its trailer, which was carrying an empty Dumpster, according to investigators. This caused a chain-reaction crash involving a tractor-trailer and a car. When that load detached, two cars smashed into the trailer.One of the drivers, Vanderbilt nurse Freeda Simmons, 50, died from her injuries at about 7:30 a.m.Minutes after the first round of collisions, the driver of a tractor-trailer carrying Pepsi products smashed into the empty Dumpster and hit a retaining wall.

There was no indication that any of the drivers were impaired at the time of the wreck.Investigators with the Tennessee Highway Patrol are trying to determine whether or not the Allied Waste trailer was properly attached.D ocuments show that this is the first wreck of its kind that the company has had in the past decade.The other drivers involved are expected to survive.

Murray State Player Will Travel To Game Despite Loss Of Mother Simmons' son is a Murray State basketball player, whose team plays in the first round of the NCAA tournament this week against Vanderbilt.Murray State spokesman Dave Winder told The Associated Press that Simmons' son, Picasso Simmons, is planni ng to go to the Racers' game Thursday. The Murray, Ky., team is leaving Tuesday for San Jose, Calif., where the NCAA West Regional game will be held.Winder said Simmons' mother, who ran track and field at Murray in the early 1980s, had been happy her son was going to the tournament and that he wanted to honor her by going with the team.

Emergency Room Nurse Killed On Way Home From Work By Loose Trailer

2010-03-26T02:40:00.000-07:00

Emergency Room Nurse Killed On Way Home From Work

Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:18 PM EDT Updated: Mar 15, 2010 6:54 PM EDT

By Amanda Hara

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Freeda Simmons left Vanderbilt's emergency room as a nurse and returned as a patient after a crash on Vietnam Veterans Boulevard in Gallatin Monday morning. Despite their best efforts, co-workers could not save her.

The 50 year old had been a nurse at Vanderbilt for seven years.

"She was a great woman of faith. She was a great woman that just loved her patients, loved the staff, and the staff loved her. The physicians loved her. The nurses loved her, and it's been real hard," said Emergency Services director Gary Howard.

Early Monday morning, Freeda graced her patients and left for home, but never made it.

She was caught behind an Allied Waste Services truck that lost its dumpster container. Police said her Honda Prelude slammed into the loose trailer.
Two Semis Crash, Closing Vietnam Veterans Boulevard

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating whether the tractor trailer was properly hitched.

"Freeda was an amazing nurse. I mean we need more like her. I would get lots and lots of compliments on how comforting and how inspiring and how reassuring it was to have Freeda taking care of them," said Howard.

Simmon's ran track and field for Murray State in the 80's. Her son Picasso plays basketball for the University. He said he will still go to the NCAA tournament on Thursday in her honor.

E-mail: ahara@newschannel5.com

1 dead in Vietnam Vets pileup

2010-03-26T01:49:00.000-07:00

1 dead in Vietnam Vets pileup

Allied Waste truck and Pepsi among vehicles in the crash

By Eric Miller • Hendersonville Star News • March 15, 2010

One woman was killed and another person injured in a multiple-car pileup on Vietnam Veterans Boulevard early Monday morning.

According to Hendersonville police, an Allied Waste truck lost a trailer, resulting in the crash at approximately 5:20 a.m. The truck was traveling eastbound on Vietnam Veterans.

The trailer became detached from the cab of the truck, according to Mike Browning, Tennessee Highway Patrol spokesman.

Two vehicles, a 1999 Honda Prelude and a 1998 Mazda minivan struck the trailer, causing the empty dumpster container being hauled on the trailer to fall into the road, resulting in a second crash when it was struck by a Pepsi truck, Browning said.

The driver of the Honda, 50-year-old Freeda J. Simmons, of Gallatin, was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center. She was pronounced dead at 7:34 a.m., Browning said.

Jada Pratt, 29, of Goodlettsville, driver of the minivan, was transported to Hendersonville Medical Center, where she was treated and released.

The driver of the Allied Waste truck, Darvin C. Mann, 53, of Charlotte, was uninjured, as was the driver of the Pepsi truck, 57-year-old Jimmy L. Hanserd.

THP’s Critical Emergency Response Team also responded to the crash scene, and an investigation is ongoing.

“A post-crash inspection is being conducted on the tractor-trailer as part of the ongoing investigation, to include whether the dumpster container was adequately secured,” Browning said.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash at this time.

All lanes were reopened by 7:43 a.m., Browning said.

Reporter Eric Miller can be reached at 575-7115 or ebmiller@mtcngroup.com.

Tow hitch crashes through car windshield, narrowly misses small child

2010-03-23T08:56:00.000-07:00

Update

7:10 a.m.

Tow hitch crashes through car windshield, narrowly misses small child

statesman journal • February 18, 2010

A 29-year old Milwaukie man and his six-month old son are alive and well after a freak incident Wednesday when a loose trailer hitch bouncing on the road north of Canby crashed through their vehicle's front windshield, Oregon State Police troopers said.

The tow hitch hit the man's chest and forearm and then nearly struck the child in his car seat before coming to rest in the back of the vehicle.

The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. on Highway 99E near milepost 18.

Authorities say Eric Provost, 29, was headed northbound on the road in his 2005 Mazda Tribute, when a tow hitch suddenly bounced off the highway in front of his vehicle and crashed through the left side of the windshield.

"The tow hitch hit the steering wheel with such force that it bent the steering wheel, then it hit Provost's chest and left forearm before striking the ceiling as it missed his son seated in a car seat on the center rear seating area," said OSP Lt. Gregg Hastings.

Provost was taken by a medical helicopter to Oregon Health Sciences University. His injuries are non-life threatening, Hastings said.

The child was not injured, he said.

The investigation has not determined what vehicle the trailer hitch came off from before hitting the car, Hastings said.

PDX Traffic.. Hitch Through Windshield

2010-03-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

Tow Hitch Crashes Through Front Windshield Hitting Driver, Narrowly Missing Small Child - Highway 99E north of Canby (Photos)

at 22:08

News Release from: Oregon State Police
TOW HITCH CRASHES THROUGH FRONT WINDSHIELD HITTING DRIVER, NARROWLY MISSING SMALL CHILD - HIGHWAY 99E NORTH OF CANBY (PHOTOS)
Posted: February 17th, 2010 10:07 PM

A 29-year old Milwaukie man and his six-month old son are lucky to have survived a freak incident Wednesday when a loose trailer hitch bouncing on the road north of Canby crashed through their vehicle's front windshield. The tow hitch hit the man's chest and forearm and then nearly struck the child in his car seat before coming to rest in the back of the vehicle.

According to Oregon State Police (OSP) Trooper Jose Cortez, on February 17, 2010 at approximately 4:30 p.m. a 2005 Mazda Tribute driven by ERIC J. PROVOST, age 29, from Milwaukie, was northbound on Highway 99E near milepost 18 when a tow hitch suddenly bounced off the highway in front of his vehicle and crashed through the left side of the windshield. The tow hitch hit the steering wheel with such force that it bent the steering wheel, then it hit PROVOST's chest and left forearm before striking the ceiling as it missed his son seated in a car seat on the center rear seating area.

PROVOST was seriously injured and transported by LifeFlight to Oregon Health Sciences University. His injuries are non-life threatening.

The child was not injured.

OSP troopers were assisted by Canby Fire Department, Canby Police Department and ODOT.

The investigation has not determined what vehicle the trailer hitch came off from before hitting the car.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

Freak accident: Tow hitch crashes through man's windshield

2010-03-23T08:38:00.001-07:00

Freak accident: Tow hitch crashes through man's windshield

by KGW Staff

Posted on February 18, 2010 at 11:13 AM

MILWAUKIE, Ore. – A Milwaukie, Ore. man is recovering from a freak accident along Highway 99. A tow hitch broke off a trailer ahead of him and flew into his car.

The hitch crashed through Eric Provost’s front windshield as he drove down the highway.

It had come loose from a trailer ahead of him and then bounced on the road before hitting Provost’s car. The hitch hit his steering wheel and then hit him in the chest. But Provost was thankful that it didn’t also hit his son in the back seat.

Provost’s injuries were not life-threatening. At last report, he was listed in fair condition at Oregon Health and Science University.

MALAKOFF WOMAN INJURED.... B y Loose Trailer

2010-03-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

MALAKOFF WOMAN INJURED

March 16, 2010

88-year-old victim taken by air ambulance after collision on State Highway 198

Rich Flowers The Athens Review

Athens — An 88-year-old woman was flown to a Tyler hospital for injuries suffered when a van slammed into a boat trailer on State Highway 198 near Caney City, Sunday afternoon.

The trailer came loose from the pickup towing it, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper James Martin said.

Henrietta Milliken of Malakoff remained in East Texas Medical Center, Tyler, Monday afternoon. She was in intensive care with her condition listed as fair, a hospital spokesman said.

Trooper James Martin said the wreck occured just before 6 p.m. when a 2004 Dodge pickup, driven by James Calvin Foster, 56, of Payne Springs was heading south on State Highway 198.

A 2005 Dodge Caravan, driven by Sue Milliken LaPhrop, 62, of Malakoff, approached Foster, traveling north with Henrietta Milliken as a passenger.

That’s when the trailer broke free, rolled into the northbound lane, and hit the Caravan head on.

Numerous rescue personel were called to the scene. PHI Air Medical transported the injured woman to the ETMC trauma unit.

None of the other occupants of the vehicles required hospitalization. The wreck remains under investigation.

TRAGEDY: Gerber boy, 7, run over by father with trailer

2010-03-23T08:24:00.000-07:00

TRAGEDY: Gerber boy, 7, run over by father

Friday, Mar 19 2010, 7:25 pm

Tri-County Newspapers

A tragic accident has left a 7-year-old Gerber boy dead – killed when his father ran over him with a trailer he was pulling behind a pickup truck on Thursday.

Mario Gonzalez died en route to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Redding, shortly after the 7 p.m. accident on a private driveway off Truckee Avenue north of Costa Avenue, the California Highway Patrol reported.

“Apparently, they were on their way to feed some livestock,” CHP Officer Phillip Mackintosh said.

When Sergio Gonzales Nino, 38, stopped the pickup to open a gate to the property, his son apparently climbed out of the sliding back window to the cab, and climbed down between the back of the truck and the utility trailer.

“When Mr. Gonzalez re-entered the pickup and continued forward, the 7 year old was run over ...” the CHP stated in its report.

Alcohol or other extenuating circumstances do not appear to have played a part in the accident, Mackintosh said.

“The investigation is ongoing, of course, but at this time, we do not have anything like that,” the officer said.

Crash kills 2 outside Jamestown

2010-03-23T08:11:00.000-07:00

Crash kills 2 outside Jamestown

Two people from Michigan died after a rollover crash east of Jamestown Tuesday morning, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol. The patrol said a 2006 Chevrolet pickup was pulling a bumper-hitch camper westbound on Interstate 94 at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, when it slid off the roadway into the water-filled north ditch about three miles east of Jamestown and rolled. The trailer disconnected from the pickup and both came to a rest on their tops.

Two people from Michigan died after a rollover crash east of Jamestown Tuesday morning, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

The patrol said a 2006 Chevrolet pickup was pulling a bumper-hitch camper westbound on Interstate 94 at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, when it slid off the roadway into the water-filled north ditch about three miles east of Jamestown and rolled. The trailer disconnected from the pickup and both came to a rest on their tops.

Driver Harold Mattmiller Jr., 59, Mendon, Mich., was wearing a seat belt. It was unknown if his passenger, William McGehee, 55, Kalamazoo, Mich., was wearing a seat belt, the patrol said.

Both were removed from the vehicle and transported to Jamestown Hospital by Jamestown Ambulance, the patrol said. They were pronounced dead at the hospital.

The patrol said the roadway was covered in frost at the time of the crash.

The pickup and trailer sustained a combined $50,000 in damage from the crash.

The Boat With No Name

2010-03-23T07:59:00.000-07:00

Updated: March 18, 2010, 6:54 PM ET
The Boat With No Name

By Don Barone

Bassmaster.com
Archive

Don BaroneThe aftermath of Jared Lintner's wreck on I-5 on the way to Clear Lake."It's not always easy and
sometimes life can be deceiving ... "

Dateline: In A Crowd

I was born a people.

I still am a people.

Me being a people is why I write about people. It's that circle of people thing.

As long as there are people around, I don't need TV. The best entertainment on earth is probably the people standing right next to you. You get to people watch, and there's no cable bill.

My first news director, in a fit of frustration, asked me, "So what is it that you do like to write about."

db: "People."

Boss: "What kind of people."

db: "Well you know, the kind of people who are, you know, a ... PEOPLE."

My TV reporter contract there wasn't renewed.

If you know me, or even if you don't, you know, or maybe you don't, that I don't yell much. If you ask my wife, Barb, most of my yells occur around nails and hammers, and Buffalo Bills games.

I did yell at a boss once, and in the few minutes between him being my boss and me being his ex-employee, I wrote down what I yelled. Again I was asked what it is I want to write about and I shouted this in the newsroom:

"I think that somehow while we are covering the human race we have left the humans out of the race."

Me and two other reporters in the newsroom wrote that shout down. I saved it and put it above my desk ever since. I don't know what the others did with theirs. I hope they are writing about humans.

I don't write about boats, I write about the people in them. I once was sent to do a car story, and only wrote about the dude driving the car, in fact, forgot to mention what kind of CAR it was he was driving.

I didn't have a long automobile writing career.

So, while I'm out here following around the Bassmaster Elite guys, I don't, you know, do much looking at the, uh, fish.

I hang out with the people of BASS.

The family BASS.

People.

Family.

Last week, Elite angler Jared Lintner was involved in a car accident while driving from the Delta tournament in Stockton, Calif., to the Clear Lake tournament.

Upon hearing of the accident, the people of the family of BASS, stopped what they were doing and came to Jared's rescue.

Those humans, in the human race.

" ... I'll tell you one thing,
it's always better when we're together"
Better Together
Jack Johnson

The wife report

I didn't get the police report ... I talked to Jared's wife, Keri.

At a dinning room table in a rented house, Keri told me that there is a long history between her and Jared. "We knew each other in Elementary School. In fact both of Jared's parents went to school with my father."

They started dating in 1990. I was polite and didn't ask Keri exactly how far removed that was from Elementary School, mainly for my benefit of not feeling really old. Love happened, and they were married in 1995. They have three kids, and quite possibly pets.

For the next few minutes while you read this, whenever you see quotes, that would be Keri talking, I just wrote stuff down, didn't talk.

"Normally I drive behind Jared, for some reason this time I was in front of him, but I could see him in my rear-view mirror. I had just told him I loved him and he told me he loved me too, and we took off to Clear Lake."

"I had just passed an exit on I-5 and lost sight of Jared behind me, but I figured he would catch up to me soon enough ... and then my cell phone rang."

It was Jared. And this is exactly what he said to Keri: "I just rolled the truck and boat."

"I knew it was serious, because his voice cracked when he said it."

Keri had just passed an exit so she had to go a couple of miles before she could jump off I-5 and head back ... her young daughter, Allese, sitting in the front seat with Keri had heard what her dad had just said, and was getting more and more upset by the mile.

"I finally got to an exit and pulled a U-ey, and headed back to Jared, as we passed by the accident I could see the truck and boat all tangled up in a ditch and, you know, my heart sank."

"I hit the next exit and started heading to him but by that time the traffic was all backed up, so I started driving down the shoulder of the road but the 18-wheel trucks started to block me from passing them, so, I just stopped, put the SUV in park, and got out and ran down the highway to Jared .... and JC."

"JC" is Jared Christopher Lintner, Jr. ... 8 years old, third grade, and in the truck with his father Jared.

"When I got there both Jared and JC were standing by the truck, so I was really happy to see that, but as soon as JC saw me he broke down, so I took him back to the SUV, wrapped him in a blanket and just held him."

Jared and JC pretty much just had bumps and bruises. JC was checked out at a hospital and released. I had a chance to talk to JC about the accident, the next two paragraphs are his.

"I was freakin'."

"I hit my head and sometimes now have some weird pains, but I was freakin'. I saw the boat fly by as it flew off the trailer. But the moment we stopped spinning around and came to a stop my daddy got me out of the truck."

Actually, Jared did more than that. From Keri:

"Later that night as we were sitting home talking about the accident, Jared told me that once they got hit and started spinning that he reached over and un-did his seat belt and then threw himself over JC to cover him up to protect him from getting hurt."

The human, in the human race.

"Circle The Wagons'

Within moments of the accident, the family BASS came to the rescue.

Tilly Davis, wife of Mark, was standing next to Marty Stone when he got the phone call from Keri telling him about the accident. Marty and Jared room together on the road and Marty told Keri, "I'm on my way."

Tilly got on her phone and called Shirley Brauer, Denny's wife, and Jennifer Lowen, Bill's wife.

Shirley Brauer has been on the road with Denny since 1984. "When something happens everyone pitches in to do whatever they can do to help out."

Jennifer Lowen was the one who got the call from Tilly. "It was like somebody ripped my stomach out, but out here you always have someone you can count on."

So Jennifer started "texting like mad to other wives."

One of them, Julia Kennedy, Steve's wife, jumped into their truck and headed to the accident scene and started helping search the area for fishing and personal items. "I started to put them in the tailgate, batteries and things, and started to pick up tackle so it all wouldn't be lost."

Julie Roumbanis, Fred's wife, also got a text and then she became the switchboard operator relaying messages from one wife to another, one angler to another. "Fred called me and said, 'Don't give Jared a reason to quit, get your girls out there finding stuff.' He wouldn't be able to quit if we could get him back in the water real quick."

Keri Short, Kevin's wife started the search and began "collecting rods, reels, tackle, anything to get him on the water. I just started making calls and told the people it's time to circle the wagons and help one of our own."

The humans, in the human race.

Jared is in Clear Lake.

Jared's boat is in Lodi ... pulled out of the ditch and towed to a garage there.

Jared is in a tournament.

Jared's head wasn't.

Keri: "Monday was a real tough day for us. The insurance people kept calling Jared while he was out on the lake and he could hardly get any practice in. He called me and said he should just come in and I told him, that was alright, we could maybe just have a nice lunch, relax, try and get by this as a family, and I told him that would be fine with me ... but he stayed out."

"And then he caught a fish."

Slowly, Jared came back.

Cast by cast.

Fish by Fish.

The man who delivers milk to stores and restaurants near his hometown of Arroyo Grande, Calif., in the offseason so he can make money to fish the Elites ... came back.

And was out there competing today.

Four days after his life went spinning out of control on California I-5.

As I stood on the dock I waited for Jared to come by at the launch this morning. He was in the third flight out, boat 60-something.

Sixty boats floated by me, all of whom were brightly wrapped with the logo's of sponsors.

Except Jared's.

Jared's boat was naked.

It was a boat donated for this tournament. Some angler's personal boat. A regular guy without sponsors or fancy boat wraps. It was your average-Joe's Bass boat.

Keri: "We have a boat for this tournament ... as for the future, we are just going to take it one tournament at a time. I'm just happy that my whole family is safe, and massively grateful for what I call my Bass Family, and everything they have done for me."

But as I took a picture of Jared as he went by in the Boat With No Name it dawned on me that there is something that Jared needs to know.

His Boat With No Name ... has plenty of names.

The names on your boat Jared are: Tilly, Shirley, Jennifer, Julie, Julia, Fred, Kerry and dozens of others.

In fact Jared, your boat is indeed wrapped and sponsored.

By the humans, in the human race.

— db

Don Barone is an award-winning outdoors writer and a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association and the Outdoor Writers Guild of the U.K. You can reach db at www.donbaroneoutdoors.com.

Trailer comes loose, hits oncoming car

2010-03-16T00:38:00.000-07:00

Published February 25, 2010 10:45 pm - A Moultrie man was injured in an accident Wednesday afternoon when a trailer broke away from a truck.

Trailer comes loose, hits oncoming car

Staff Reports

MOULTRIE — A Moultrie man was injured in an accident Wednesday afternoon when a trailer broke away from a truck.

Richard Jones, of 220 Fourth Ave. S.E., was taken to Colquitt Regional Medical Center with injuries from the collision. A hospital spokesperson said he was listed in stable condition Thursday afternoon.

A Toyota Tacoma truck, driven by Michael Newberry of Norman, Pa., was towing a trailer down North Main Street. As the truck passed the Fifth Avenue North intersection at 2:09 p.m. Wednesday, the trailer came loose from the truck and went into the northbound lanes of North Main Street.

A Daewoo Nubria, driven by Jones, was driving north on North Main Street approaching the intersection when the trailer came loose. He told a Moultrie police officer the trailer came straight at his car, and it collided with the Nubria’s front end. Newberry told the officer he did not realize the trailer had come off the truck in time to prevent the collision.

The Nubria had extensive front end damage with air bags deployed, and Jones was taken to Colquitt Regional with pain in his legs. Newberry was not injured.

Newberry was cited for defective equipment in the collision, as the officer noted the trailer did not have chains securing it to the truck. Jones was not cited or charged.

Loose Trailer Hits School bus involved in three-vehicle crash

2010-03-16T00:19:00.000-07:00

School bus involved in three-vehicle crash

Posted: Mar 05, 2010 9:14 AM EST

By Michael Addison - email

LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) - State Police say a school bus was involved in a three-vehicle crash this morning at 6:45 a.m. on the West Fork Bridge, between Westlake and Moss Bluff.

Officials say there were no students on the bus at the time of the crash. The driver had not started her route yet.

Troopers say a trailer being pulled by a truck came unhitched and went into the opposing lane. The bus hit the trailer, and a car then rear-ended the bus.

No one was hurt. The driver of the truck was cited for Car less Operation for Failure to Secure Load.

CCSO - A dump truck hauling a fully loaded flatbed trailer crashed causing extensive damage to bridge in Oregon City

2010-03-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Look at the condition of the Trailer...Was it inspected? Overloaded? What specific training is required before you can tow?

CCSO - A dump truck hauling a fully loaded flatbed trailer crashed causing extensive damage to bridge in Oregon City.

at 21:33

News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office
CCSO - A DUMP TRUCK HAULING A FULLY LOADED FLATBED TRAILER CRASHED CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO BRIDGE IN OREGON CITY.
Posted: March 15th, 2010 9:32 PM

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
Jim Strovink, Detective
Office of Public Information
12700 SE 82ND Avenue, Clackamas, Oregon 97015

News Release *** (Photos Attached) ***

All accompanying photographs provided courtesy of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

Please refer to Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Case #10-7998

On Monday, March 15, 2010 at 6:19 p.m. a dump truck and driver is reported to have careened off from a bridge covering Abernathy Creek on S. Maple Lane Road and landed in this shallow body of water. The injured driver was pulled from the wreckage by citizens who witnessed the crash and pulled this injured driver from the cab of the truck – conscious and breathing – who was then airlifted to Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital in Portland.

Investigating Clackamas County Sheriff's Deputies report the driver declared his brakes failed while in operation of his 1987, Ford, Model TT dump truck while hauling a flatbed trailer – loaded with large pieces of concrete and other miscellaneous heavy debris.

The injured driver is identified as Steve A. Oberson, 47, of Oregon City. This involved truck is registered to Oberson Excavating Incorporated, on Holcomb Boulevard, in Oregon City.

This dump truck is reported to have crashed into the guard rail of this bridge and caused extensive structural damage to the bridge. A Clackamas County bridge inspector was summoned to the scene to inspect the structural integrity of this damaged bridge. An attending Deputy Sheriff said, "The impact of the truck into the bridge was so severe, the rear view mirror of the truck was found embedded into a portion of this bridges guardrail that was ripped from the bridge upon impact."

Motorists can anticipate this portion of S. Maple Lane Road, in Oregon City –- between S. Fergusson Road and S. Waldo Road -- to be closed to all vehicle traffic while emergency crews work to clear the roadway, extract the vehicle and trailer from the creek bed and evaluate the reliability of the damaged bridge. It is unknown at this time when this stretch of roadway will reopen to vehicular traffic.

Clackamas Fire District #1 and American Medical Response were on scene to aid in the medical transportation of this injured driver by packaging the patient for transport and securing a landing zone. In addition to controlling the scene until Clackamas County Road Department personnel arrived to control vehicular traffic.

The Department of Environmental Services responded to the scene to help contain the diesel fuel spilled into the swift flowing Abernathy Creek.

This remains an active traffic crash investigation conducted by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. No citations were issued and the driver was lawfully wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.

All accompanying photographs provided courtesy of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

Please refer to Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Case #10-7998.[END]

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loose trailer Jacksonville third in state in hit-and-run accidents

2010-03-03T12:32:00.000-08:00

Provided by the Sandberg family
Bob Sandberg said his wife Sandi's Saturn Ion was unrecognizable after a trailer detached from a pickup truck and flew into her car in June. The driver of that truck left the scene and the trailer had no license plate

Jacksonville third in state in hit-and-run accidents

Despite being seventh in population, hit-and-run numbers have skyrocketed as more leave accident scenes.

By Larry Hannan
Story updated at 6:29 AM on Monday, Feb. 22, 2010

Sandi Sandberg vividly remembers the day she almost was killed by a hit-and-run driver.

Last June, she was driving west on Beaver Street at the intersection of Interstate 95 when a trailer detached from a white pickup truck going east. That trailer flew head-on into her car.

"I saw the trailer go airborne and there was nothing I could do before it hit me," Sandberg said.

When emergency responders extracted her, Sandberg found out she'd broken bones in both legs. A hospital stay and months of rehabilitation followed before she returned to work in December.

The driver of the truck was never found, and her 2007 Saturn Ion was damaged beyond repair. Police were unable to identify the driver from the trailer, which didn't have a license plate.

Sandberg's accident was not caught on tape, so her story did not get the attention afforded Karen Hanel after she was hit around the same time in the Shands Jacksonville parking lot by a hit-and-run driver chased by police.

These women are only two of the many victims of hit-and-run accidents in recent years.

Although it's the state's seventh-largest county, Duval follows Miami-Dade and Broward counties with the third-most hit-and-runs in 2008, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Numbers for 2009 will not be available for several months, but Duval was in the top four in 2006 and 2007.

Leaving the scene of a fatality is a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. It is also a felony to leave the scene of an accident when someone is injured, but it's a misdemeanor when there are no injuries.

Assistant State Attorney Mark Borello, who prosecutes hit-and-run cases in Jacksonville, said the city's large size is a factor in the number of cases. Duval County includes downtown Jacksonville, but also many rural areas without sidewalks that are dangerous for pedestrians, he said.

Whatever the reason, Borello's numbers have skyrocketed. In 2006, there were 349 prosecutions of hit-and-run drivers. In 2007 and 2008, that number climbed to more than 2,000

There's no sure reason behind the increase, but Lt. Bill Leeper of the Florida Highway Patrol said it could come from technological advances with cell phones, postings on online social network pages, more thorough investigations and more witnesses willing to come forward.

Lt. G.W. Grant with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said it's been his experience that hit-and-run drivers tend to leave the scene because they don't have a driver's license or insurance, have been drinking or have an outstanding warrant. And although there are often bystanders, he said, they tend to focus on the victim.

Danny Berenberg has been one - twice.

The first time he and his wife were run off A1A in Ponte Vedra Beach and into a ditch. The second time he was a pedestrian hit by a car in Jacksonville Beach.

Both accidents resulted in hospital stays and back injuries that required physical therapy, and Berenberg believes the second accident aged him. Despite this, he tries to keep a positive attitude.

"What I have lost is the time, the pain and the ability to ride my bicycle or exercise in the gym," he said.

Sandberg said she suspects many drivers don't have licen- ses or insurance, and that's why they don't stop. Her husband, Bob Sandberg, is more blunt.

"People today just aren't paying attention," he said. "I saw a woman putting on makeup while driving a few months ago."

When Bob Sandberg went to the junk yard to look at the car his wife was driving, he didn't recognize it until someone pointed it out to him.

He says he's not angry at the hit-and-run driver, but would like to ask that person a question.

"Why didn't you stop?" he asked. "You might have killed someone."

larry.hannan@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4470

One horse killed, 2 rescued when trailer rolls in Arizona

2010-03-03T12:29:00.001-08:00

by Catherine Holland / AZ Family

Posted on February 5, 2010 at 1:03 PM

******

Wittman, ARIZONA -- A horse trailer with three horses inside rolled over in the West Valley Friday morning.

It happened at about 8:30 a.m. near Grand Avenue and Patton Road in Wittmann. Fire crews from Surprise responded to the scene.

Emergency crews were able to extricate two of the horses. Aerial video showed crews walking those horses around. A third animal did not survive the wreck.

Lanes were restricted in both directions for a time.

According to Chief Eddie Rios of the Wittmann Fire Department, it looks like the hitch connecting the trailer to the motor home that was hauling it came undone. The trailer detached and rolled over.

The motor home was traveling eastbound between Wittmann and Sun City.

There's no word on the condition of the driver.

Officer Robert Bailey of the Department of Public Safety said this it not the first time time kind of accident has happened.

"Last month, we had that happen here near the 202 and I-10, some people pulling two Clydesdales that came off the trailer," he said. "It happens from time to time."

Bailey said it's possible that the safety chains on the hitch might have snapped.

"A lot of times, it's operator error," Bailey said. "And they might not have strong enough safety chains. Those safety chains often snap, especially with those heavy horses."

Two arrested after fatal hit/skip crash on I-480 ..Loose Trailer Hit and Run

2010-02-14T06:42:00.001-08:00

Two arrested after fatal hit/skip crash on I-480

November 19, 2009

by Emily Canning-Dean

Reporter

Twinsburg -- Two men are expected to be bound over to Summit County Court of Common Pleas after police charged them in connection with a fatal hit-skip accident Sept. 15, when a Utility trailer became unhitched and rolled into the path of Ravenna motorcyclist on Interstate 480.

Police arrested Ricky L. Melton, 55, of Stow, and Michael H. Rusu, 54, of Akron, Nov. 16 at the Twinsburg Police Department.

Melton and Rusu are charged with one count each of involuntary manslaughter, theft and receiving stolen property. Melton, who police say was driving, also was charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident.

Neither Melton nor Rusu, nor attorneys representing them, could immediately be reached for comment.

Police Sgt. Greg Feketik said Melton and Rusu allegedly stole a trailer from a Dutton Drive business Sept. 15. While they were traveling eastbound on I-480 just east of Route 91, the trailer became unhitched from their vehicle.

The trailer crossed the median, and motorcyclist Michael K. Hull, 48, of Ravenna, struck the trailer, was ejected from the motorcycle and landed in the westbound lanes, where police say two other vehicles struck him.

Melton and Rusu continued traveling east on I-480 without stopping, police said.

Hull was flown to Akron City Hospital, where he died Sept. 30 due to injuries from the crash, according to police.

Feketik said Twinsburg police contacted Melton after discovering that the license plate on the trailer, which was in the police department's possession, belonged to him.

Melton and Rusu went to the Twinsburg Police Department Nov. 16 and were arrested and charged.

They were arraigned Nov. 17 at Stow Municipal Court, but did not enter a plea at that time. Bond was set at $500,000 cash for both defendants. As of Nov. 17, they were in Twinsburg jail, but were expected to be transported to Summit County jail.

E-mail: aschunk@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3172

Freak accident kills tanker truck driver

2010-02-14T06:39:00.001-08:00

Used with permission: http://license.icopyright.net/creator/use.act?n=vancouverite-1196

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Freak accident kills tanker truck driver

Tagged with: Fort St. John accident Tanker truck driver dead trailer causes fatal accident

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FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – A tragic collision has killed the 25-year-old driver of a tanker truck after a trailer being hauled by a pickup came loose and flew into the path of the tanker.

Police said a pickup hauling a trailer containing oil field equipment was westbound on Cecil Lake Road while the tanker truck was going eastbound.

“The trailer, which contained oil field servicing equipment, became dislodged from the westbound pickup truck. The trailer then struck the east bound International tanker truck,” said an RCMP statement.

“As a result of the collision, the driver of the tanker truck immediately succumbed to his injuries. There were no other occupants in the tanker truck and the sole occupant of the Ford pickup was not injured,” RCMP said.

Police closed Cecil Lake Road to investigate the crash.

Both vehicle have been seized for inspection and no charges have been laid yet.

Police said the driver of the tanker truck killed in the crash had lived in the Fort St. John area.

No name was disclosed.

Runaway trailer unstoppable

2010-02-14T06:29:00.000-08:00

DAVID KILLICK

January 04, 2010 09:12am

A HOBART motorist says it is astonishing nobody was killed by a runaway Southern Water trailer.

The trailer destroyed his car and a utility pole at Derwent Park.

The trailer was being towed along Derwent Park Rd on Tuesday afternoon when it broke loose and careened out of control down the street, firefighter Darren Hill said.

"The truck was heading west and the trailer A-frame has separated from the trailer," he said.

"He's started to slow down and the trailer has passed him and come across into the opposing direction of traffic and has hit the telegraph pole and my car at the same time."

The front of the two-year-old Suzuki Swift was crushed by the impact.

"You've got 2½ tonnes rolling at that speed, the kinetic energy is just unstoppable," Mr Hill said.

"My car was pushed 30 metres back against the flow of traffic into Gormanston Rd.

"The car was in park, the handbrake was applied and it has still pushed it 30 metres along the road.

"It was immensely dangerous.

"They had to replace the power pole. We were just lucky school was out and no one was injured.

"If that had happened in North Hobart with all the outdoor dining it would have been an absolute massacre."

Southern Water's manager of urban wastewater Len Bester said the incident appeared to be a freak accident.

"The trailer in question is leased and it's only a bit over one year old. It's used for high water-pressure drain cleaning so it's a fairly heavy trailer," he said.

"It's not one we would expect to be doing too many inspections on.

"It wasn't overloaded or anything like that. It hasn't been modified.

"We had the unit inspected and things like that but it's just one of those things where the drawbar just snapped off completely."

RVing 201, safety in towing vehicles, horsetrailer breaks loose from RV, horse killed, Sun City, AZ

2010-02-09T09:30:00.001-08:00

http://ww.examiner.com/x-4821-Phoenix-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m2d5-RVing-201-safety-in-towing-vehicles-horsetrailer-breaks-loose-from--RV1-horse-killed?#comments

RVing 201, safety in towing vehicles, horsetrailer breaks loose from RV, horse killed, Sun City, AZ

We RVers are obligated and responsible for doing everything within our ability to make certain that our towed vehicles are securely attached to our RVs. Further, the tires on the Toad, brakes, and other mechanical parts should be in good, safe condition to prevent an accident with the Toad that may endanger the life of the RV occupants or others.

In an unusual accident near Phoenix today, Feb. 5, 2010, a horse trailer came loose from the RV and apparently rolled across the road and overturned alongside the highway. Based on the video and brief report posted online the trailer appeared to be a 3 horse slant and was carrying 3 horses and tack. One of the horses was reportedly killed and the other two were injured. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved in this accident. I STAND CORRECTED! THIS IS NOT AN UNUSUAL TYPE OF ACCIDENT! THANKS TO A COMMENT BY A READER, PLEASE BE ALERTED TO THE WEBSITE: www.dangeroustrailers.org Based on information provided by this website more than 15,000 people have been killed and more than 400,000 injured during the past 40 years due to loose trailer accidents on our nation's highways.

Whereas it is very unusual for a vehicle to detach from an RV when properly secured, it is not impossible. I have personally seen 2 tow dolly accidents along the highway, have seen ball hitches that have loosened and the ball has come out of the hitch, broken trailer tongues and similar accidents. Further, it is not uncommon when pins, bolts, hitch clamps and other tow devices have not been properly secured before being towed along the highway.

This short note is simply a call for RVers to be extra careful while towing trailers loaded with animals, ATVs, boats, household goods, cars, trucks, and any other item that can disconnect and cause harm to individuals or other vehicles. Too often, very little attention is given to the weight of the trailer, the distribution of the weight, the condition of tires, holddown straps and to poorly secured equipment and materials in the trailer.

However, this plea is not limited to RVers, but also to pickup trucks, cars, vans, SUVs and any other towing vehicle. While driving along the interstate systems in the southwest, especially on weekends and in hunting season, it seems that 20 to 40% of pickup trucks are towing a trailer loaded with ATVs, sandrails, etc.

Let us all be more careful, beginning right now!

February 5, 9:14 PMPhoenix RV Travel ExaminerBob Gorden

Loose trailer causes fatal crash Found Archive

2010-02-09T08:30:00.001-08:00

Loose trailer causes fatal crash

Last updated 19:56 10/12/2008

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One person is dead after a trailer collided with a vehicle just north of Whakapara, 23km northwest of Whangarei, this evening.

The trailer had come loose from its towing vehicle and collided with another vehicle about 7pm, Inspector Jacqueline Whittaker of northern police communications said.

A baby had been taken to hospital with critical injuries and one person remained trapped, she said.

Diversions were in place on Jordan Valley Road and Hukeranui Road.

- NZPA

One killed, three injured in Bulverde wreck

2010-02-09T08:22:00.001-08:00

Web Posted: 02/08/2010 11:37 CST

One killed, three injured in Bulverde wreck

By Jennifer R. Lloyd - Express-News

A New Braunfels woman died and three other people were injured in a three-vehicle wreck in Bulverde Saturday morning, according to the Bulverde Police Department.

The wreck occurred at 11:25 a.m. Saturday on Texas 46, one mile east of Blanco Road. Terry Louise Thompson, 56, was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace William Schroeder, said Lt. Gary Haecker of the Bulverde Police Department.

A Ford truck pulling a 16-foot trailer loaded with bricks was eastbound on Texas 46 when the driver lost control of the vehicle and went into the westbound lane of traffic, Haecker said. A witness stated that the trailer began swaying and that's when the driver appeared to lose control, Haecker said.

The truck collided with a Lexus SUV. A Toyota van traveling behind the Lexus was also involved in the crash. Thompson was a passenger in the Lexus and was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the wreck, Haecker said.

The driver of the Lexus, Vincent Solito, 57, of New Braunfels was taken to University Hospital along with an 11-year-old passenger. The driver of the Ford, Wael Deeb, 46, of San Antonio was also taken to University Hospital, according to police.

Pellston family survives double crash on I-75

2010-01-24T06:13:00.001-08:00

The Friend family of Pellston survived a double accident on I-75 Sunday, Jan. 17, when their 2000 Pontiac mini van (pictured here) struck an elk head on and was hit in the rear by a truck and snowmobile trailer that lost control after hitting the dead elk in the roadway just moments later. Photo: COURTESY PHOTO

Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 10:20 am
By Christina Rohn News-Review Staff Writer

A Pellston family says it’s a miracle they were not killed in a double accident involving an elk on Sunday.

Around 7:20 a.m. on Jan. 17, Bill Friend said he was driving his 2000 Pontiac Montana mini van south on I-75 to a volleyball tournament in Midland with his wife, Suzie, son, Will, daughter, Tayler and his daughter’s friend, Abby Bodzick, when the unthinkable happened.

As the family neared the Wolverine exit ramp, Bill said it was still dark out and his headlights illuminated a herd of seven elk crossing the interstate.

“There were three of them in my lane, three in the fast lane and one on the side of the road,” he said. “At that point, I really couldn’t do anything — I just hit my brakes and braced myself.”

Bill said he hit one elk broadside, which shattered the van’s windshield as it was thrown over the roof.

“The impact of hitting the elk was just tremendous — it was like hitting a wall,” he said. “Luckily we were all wearing seatbelts.”

At this point, Bill said he pulled the van to the side of I-75 and proceeded to call 9-1-1.

Suzie said she, Bill and Will exited the vehicle shortly thereafter.

“We couldn’t believe we survived,” she said. “We were outside the van thanking God.”

The family wasn’t prepared for what would happen next.

Justin Hampton of Warren was traveling south on I-75 in his Ford Ranger, pulling an aluminum double-place snowmobile trailer with an Arctic Cat secured on it, when, without warning, he hit the dead elk that the Friend family had hit just moments before.

According to the Cheboygan County Sheriff Department, which responded to the accident scene, Hampton’s impact with the dead animal sent his vehicle airborne.

Suzie said she knew the truck was about to hit the van.

Terrified, she said she reached her arm into the van, attempting to pull her daughter Tayler and Tayler’s friend Abby out of the back seat, but this was to no avail.

“I was trying to get the kids out, saying, ‘hurry, hurry, get out!’” Suzie said. “It just went so fast, but in slow motion.”

The truck struck the rear of the mini van while still airborne, landed on its side, slid a short distance, and flipped again before catching the rumble strips on its roof.

In addition to this impact, Hampton’s snowmobile trailer and snowmobile detached from his vehicle and hit the rear of the Friend’s van.

“All I saw was headlights flying up and heading toward us ... it was like one of those Final Destination movies,” Bill said. “The truck actually hit the van and shoved it down the road 30-40 feet.

“It happened so quick; so suddenly — we thought (the girls) were dead.”

Bill said he and his wife sprinted toward the wreckage.

“We immediately just ran down there — it was horrifying,” he said. “My daughter got out and just collapsed ... I picked her up and we went down into the ravine.”

The family called 9-1-1 for a second time, and around this time, Bill said the driver of the truck (Hampton) was able to climb out of his overturned vehicle.

“He was walking around disoriented,” Bill said. “(Suzie) was yelling at him to get out of the road.”

Rescue workers arrived on the scene shortly thereafter and the Friend family, as well as Abby were taken to Northern Michigan Regional Hospital, where everyone but Tayler was treated and released.

According to Bill, his daughter remains at the hospital for internal bruising.

Hampton received minor injuries in the accident, but sought his own treatment.

Bill said things could have been a lot worse.

“We’re people of faith, and this just reinforces that,” he said.

“God is great and he was with us that day,” Suzie said. “There’s no explanation why anyone walked away from this.”

Suzie said she believes something needs to be done about the elk population in the Wolverine area.

“This is the year 2010, and they can’t figure out how to keep them off the highway,” she said. “How about motion lights or an electric fence?”

Christina Rohn

439-9398 - crohn@petoskeynews.com

Ludington Business Owner Injured In Accident

2010-01-24T06:09:00.000-08:00

Ludington Business Owner Injured In Accident

posted by: Alan Neushwander on Wed. Jan. 20 2010

A local business owner was seriously injured during an accident Monday afternoon in Mason County. Undersheriff Tom Trenner says Pat Patterson suffered extensive injuries after a utility trailer hauling a quad broke loose from a pickup truck and struck his mini van on Amber Road, north of US-10, at about 3pm Monday. Patterson was taken to a hospital in Grand Rapids with serious injuries. He’s the owner of Hungry Howie’s Pizza in Ludington. The driver of the pickup truck, 38-year-old Rick Ruba, was ticketed for not having the trailer properly secured.

Halestorm endures hazards of the road Loose Trailer

2010-01-24T04:05:00.000-08:00

December 17, 4:41 PMBoise Music ExaminerRustyn Rose

One side of rock and roll that most fans don't see or think about is how much time bands spend driving from location to location. Newer bands don't have a fancy tour bus. Most drive vans or RVs, pulling trailers, and living in cramped quarters. They do all of this to bring the music to the fans.

At this time of year touring can be especially fretful and dangerous because of weather conditions. This morning, Pennsylvania based rockers Halestorm endured a slight bump in the road. While on their way to their shows in Mississippi, their equipment trailer came loose of their RV. Vocalist/guitarist Lzzy Hale twittered;

Our gear trailer came loose this morning, separated from Bouncin' Betty, across the highway and tipped on its side in the medium. No one was hurt. Miraculously, all the gear seems ok.

It is always inspiring to see the bands who care as much about their fans, as the fans do about the music. Lesser bands might call the show off, but the Halestorm gang would never give less than 110% for their fans. Give them two tin cans and a tennis racket and they'll McGyver through.

Either way we were gonna have a show, worst case, maybe all acoustic or borrowing one of the opening bands equipment. But we are on our way!

Fortunately, the band made it safely to the club (The Fire) in Jackson, Mississippi, where the show will go on. Drummer Arejay Hale twittered upon arrival, "Thank you rock tour gods! We made it to The Fire in Jackson! Can't wait rock out Mississippi!!"

That's devoation that too few bands seem to have these days, and one of the reasons the group has such a loyal following. If you haven't checked them out yet, you can read more about Halestorm here.

If you enjoyed this article, please check out these articles on other rock classics, Them Crooked Vultures, Nickelback, Shinedown, and Daughtry.

For the latest in Rock Music news, simply click the "Subscribe" button or "RSS" Feed button on the top of the page. Notifications of all the latest news will be delivered to your inbox.

Overturned Camper Kills 1

2010-01-24T04:01:00.001-08:00

Overturned Camper Kills 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A camper overturned on southbound Interstate 435 at Raytown Road, killing one person, Missouri Highway Patrol officials said.The camper was pulling a trailer at the time of the accident, which occurred around 9:25 a.m..

Runaway Boat Trailer Causes Collision

2010-01-24T03:47:00.001-08:00

Used With Permission Please go to This Web Address to View More Pictures From Accident:

http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/15547

Runaway Boat Trailer Causes Collision

OWINGS - 11/16/2009

Printer friendly

By Dennis Hook

At approximately 8 p.m., on Sunday, Nov. 15, the Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad first received a call for a house fire in the area of Lower Marlboro and Huntingtown Road.

Shortly after that call, an ambulance was dispatched for a medical emergency nearby. Approximately five minutes after that call, there was a third call for an auto accident at Route 2 and Pushaw Station Road.

Upon arrival on the accident scene, it was discovered the accident involved a boat and Honda pickup truck. The boat trailer broke away from the vehicle towing the boat. The boat entered the pathway of the oncoming Honda pickup resulting in a collision.

One person from the Honda pickup was transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital. No word on the condition of the patient at this time.

The police are still investigating how the trailer hauling the boat separated from the truck; the hitch was still attached to the truck.

News Feedback NOTE: Views expressed below do not reflect the views or opinions of The Bay Net, Bay Media Services, Inc. or the employees of Bay Media Services, Inc.

Comment On This Story!

CraigKC69	11/16/2009 at 2:34 PM
wow, just my opinion.......
.....It appears to me that the driver of the vehicle towing the boat forgot to connect the safety chains from his boat trailer to his trailer hitch. At this point, it is my guess that one of two things happened. He forgot to close the latch/lock on the end of his trailer, locking the trailer to the ball on the hitch. Or, the ball on the hitch was to small to begin with, in which case the trailer would have popped right off. Again this is just my opinion, and I realize I could be wrong on this.
Reply to This Comment

dovemamax2	11/17/2009 at 9:43 AM
Reply to CraigKC69: Nope..not the case at all
The way the driver was operating his vehicle was WHY the boat came off the trailer....I was directly behind him.

dako	11/17/2009 at 10:56 AM
Reply to CraigKC69: obviously...
Straps to hold the rear of the boat to the trailer were either: 1. Undersized (too smal for the weight they were holding) 2. Not used 3. Not used properly And yes, erratic/ unsafe (towing) driving is what tends to set a chain of events such as this off. Hope all involved are ok.

RonMelancon	11/16/2009 at 7:01 PM
It is about time we address
When you get a moment please go to Click here for Link Please note..NO regulations are in place for any trailer just one pound under 3,000 GVWR. Just a few years ago a homemade trailer on the Maryland bay bridge came loose and 3 lives were lost. Since 1975 Maryland has lost 116 lives and on a national level since 1975 over 15,211 lives lost Since 1988 over 435,011 injured Since 1988 over 735,687 things damaged or destroyed. Why? Who is preventing our organization from addressing.
Reply to This Comment

marqthompson	1/16/2010 at 4:34 AM
Reply to RonMelancon: pop top caravans
This is a wonderful article. The things given are unanimous and needs to be appreciated by everyone. cruz Click For Link" rel="dofollow">pop top caravans

CraigKC69	11/17/2009 at 11:37 AM
Reply to dovemamax2
Thank you for your insight!I dont doubt what you witnessed at all. Im sure there are alot of details such as you mentioned, that have been left out or are unknown. Back to my first observation. Had the safety chains been attached to the hitch of the vehicle in first place. The boat trailer may not have come loose from the vehicle and this accident might have had a different outcome.
Reply to This Comment

Lyssi85	11/17/2009 at 2:26 PM
Reply to CraigKC69: Reply
Everyone in the Honda is still alive luckily. My father was driving the ridgeline When boat hit him. I'd like to smack the idiotdriving the trailor, maybe he shouldn't hav a boat or trailer if you can be that irresponsible

Dangerous Trailers Accidents That Just Happend

LOOSE TRAILER...Pam Stone: Scary road incident shows true blessings

Pam Stone: Scary road incident shows true blessings

Published: Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 1:14 p.m.

Pam Stone: Scary road incident shows true blessings

Published: Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 1:14 p.m.

Stallion tossed out of trailer, ends up in motorway fastlane

Stallion tossed out of trailer, ends up in motorway fastlane

UPDATE: Horse drowns in the Mississippi

UPDATE: Horse drowns in the Mississippi

HAVERHILL — After two trailers carrying animals broke loose from their tow vehicles and crashed on an Interstate 495 bridge, the state has begun repai

Repairs to I-495 bridge finally begin, but bumpy ride remains

Utility trailer goes airborne, kills 1 in crash

Utility trailer goes airborne, kills 1 in crash

LOOSE TRAILER!! A trailer rolled out onto Route 140

No Injuries Reported After Accident on Route 140

Loose Runaway tank trailer injures 5!!!!!!

Runaway tank injures 5

Loose Runaway tank trailer injures 5!!!!!!

Runaway tank injures 5

Loose Runaway tank trailer injures 5!!!!!!

Runaway tank injures 5

Pair have lucky escape after A46 smash

Lost furniture leads to crashes on Highway 29

Lost furniture leads to crashes on Highway 29

Twin box spring causes double trouble for Elkhart County motorist

Horses Tossed From Trailer Onto Route 7

Horses Tossed From Trailer Onto Route 7

Trailers, negligence: A lethal combination in Chatham County Authorities urge safety in wake of recent wrecks, including fatal crash on I-16 Posted: S

Trailers, negligence: A lethal combination in Chatham County

Authorities urge safety in wake of recent wrecks, including fatal crash on I-16

Editorial: Traffic laws can prevent tragedies And Our Letter To The Editor

Cautionary evacuation on Highway 221

News Manitoba

Cautionary evacuation on Highway 221

Highway 108 Accident Causes Minor Injuries

Seward girl, 10, killed after horse trailer breaks loose

Seward girl, 10, killed after horse trailer breaks loose

Trailer detaching from pickup truck cause of Thursday’s accident on K-10

Trailer detaching from pickup truck cause of Thursday’s accident on K-10

Runaway Trailer Crashes On I-75

Runaway Trailer Crashes On I-75

Do it right, or risk killling someone Trailer Life...Loose Trailer

Trailer Life

Rollover on I-17 delays northbound traffic

Trailer containing liquid spills over, blocks two lanes on I-40 E

CSP cites driver for trailer wreck

PRILL: The Agony Of Defeat

Loose trailer flips 4Runner

Horse trailer floor collapses, highway blocked for hours Read more: Mount Airy News - Horse trailer floor collapses highway blocked for hours

Dump truck accident closes road for 2 hours...Loose Trailer

Dump truck accident closes road for 2 hours

CINDY PETERSON: Wilson's rough road to Bismarck

CINDY PETERSON: Wilson's rough road to Bismarck

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Loose Trailer

Man airlifted to Nassau following Freak Accident in Governor’s Harbour

Motorcyclist killed in collision with boat in Burnett County

Travel trailer demolished in accident

News Boat crashes into bus shelter in Newbiggin

Hazardous material spill closes Highway 70 for nearly 3 hours

Crash closed I-80 again...Camper Trailer Detached

Driver hurt when SUV towing trailer overturns on Rt. 287

Pruett did not use any safety chains to ensure that the trailer remained attached to the truck.

Tragic Auto Accident in Morehouse Parish Illustrates Insurance Coverage Requirements for Substitute Vehicles

Loose Trailer Chemical Spill In Washtenaw County

Chemical Spill In Washtenaw County

Trailer leads truck to flip on interstate

Loose boat trailer runs into house

Trailer towing bill to be drafted...we're ready to Help!

Trailer towing bill to be drafted

WFRV News

Trailer broke loose from the vehicle

Runaway trailer unhinges chaos

Trailer dislodges on I-40

Trailer dislodges on I-40

Traffic affected