In a heavy downpour, a young driver loses control and her life

[xcel]

If it is raining, please slow down as the life you save may be your own

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Sept. 15, 2009

A young woman was killed last Friday morning after she lost control of her car on I-691 near Exit 3 in Cheshire, CT. state police said.

Alexandra Rogers, 18, was driving eastbound at about 9:10 AM when her 2008 Toyota Yaris spun out, careened across the grass median and was struck by a westbound 2006 Toyota Prius during heavy rain a local responder (Jesse R.) said. The Prius, driven by Steven Drozd, 68, of North Haven, ran into the driver's side door of Rogers' Yaris.

Rogers was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury where she was pronounced dead as a result of her injuries, state police said.

Drozd, who police said suffered facial cuts, was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital for treatment. He was listed treated and released late Friday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Drivers on I-691 Westbound, which links interstates 91 and 84, were delayed for over 3-hours until accident investigators had completed their work.

Scene of the accident and the aftermath


2006 Prius and what is left of the 2008 Yaris.

God Speed Alexandra.

[Damionk]

Indiana is in the process of installing a cable barrier system on some highways. With out a doubt that would have saved her life.

A tragedy none the less.

[Chuck]

If you have ever been in a spinout - it's a very helpless feeling - don't risk one.

[Damionk]

Never been in a spin-out, at least not as a driver, but I did have a 89 Mercury Grand Marquis that hated rain. I once got sideways 3 times just pulling out of work, and I did not give it much gas knowing that she hated water.

[St. Mushroom]

Always sad. How much of outcome was the result of big car vs small?

[Chuck]

Size was not the main factor as it was Yaris vs Prius.

By far it was a car going across an unguarded median into opposing traffic.

[Earthling]

This illustrates the reality that young drivers and old drivers have the highest accident rates. In this case, it was primarily the young driver's fault for winding up in the opposing lanes of traffic. "Spinning out" is what happened, but why did she allow her car to spin out? Did she spike the brakes instead of steering to correct the initial spinning motion of her car? Did she know anything about steering into the spin, to control it? It snows in Connecticut, so she should have been trained in countering spin-outs on ice and snow (and rain).

Did the older guy in the Prius do anything to avoid or minimize the impact?

I get back to my old saw: we need much more thorough training of drivers in the US, to help reduce tragedies like this one.

Harry

[Chuck]

This was a tragic accident, but I don't think it could be pegged as dumb or reckless. Yes, being careful could have avoided it.

[zjrog]

Harry, I like your old saw. It is something I too have said for years. I think licensing requirements are too easy for cars and motorcycles. At the same time, RAISING the age for drivers isn't a good answer either.

I look around me in traffic and see scary stuff. A young lady (pretty though) in a Mini, no belt on, sitting with her left foot tucked under her right leg (Minis have autos?), and talking on the phone. If she wants to stay pretty, she needs to change her habits. Oh, did I mention she was darting in and out of traffic?

[Damionk]

Originally Posted by Earthling

This illustrates the reality that young drivers and old drivers have the highest accident rates. In this case, it was primarily the young driver's fault for winding up in the opposing lanes of traffic. "Spinning out" is what happened, but why did she allow her car to spin out? Did she spike the brakes instead of steering to correct the initial spinning motion of her car? Did she know anything about steering into the spin, to control it? It snows in Connecticut, so she should have been trained in countering spin-outs on ice and snow (and rain).

Did the older guy in the Prius do anything to avoid or minimize the impact?

I get back to my old saw: we need much more thorough training of drivers in the US, to help reduce tragedies like this one.

Harry

Well sometimes when you lose control and spin like that you have no time to react. I once was behind a car in the left lane that suddenly hydroplaned. It spun across 3 lanes in less than 2 seconds. Thankfully there was little traffic and the guy that spun was the only car involved, but just by about a foot missed a car in the right lane. I don't know what his speed was as I was a younger passenger in the car, but would assume that it was 55-60. Just goes to show that even if you know what to do it doesn't mean that you will always have time to react.