Over the weekend, an unlicensed driver from New York missed his exit. He then decided to stop on the shoulder and back-up his van carrying seven people to get to the ramp. He then backed into oncoming traffic where a semi-tractor trailer hit him killing one passenger of the van. The truck then cut across two lanes of traffic, struck the barrier and jackknifed. This closed I-78 for around 6 hours.
When questioned, the driver told police that he had been driving in New York for 10 years and "never needed a license" there but that he had one at one time from the Bahamas. In Pennsylvania, operating a motor vehicle without a license during an incident that causes a fatality is automatic murder by vehicle. I believe that is 2nd degree murder and could carry a life sentence. Meanwhile, two other passengers are in critical condition.
And the kicker is, that he hadn't missed his exit; he really needed to get off at the next exit anyway. And why was he in such a hurry? To get to Dorney Park - a local amusement park - where some kids from NY were going to have a chance to have a nice day. So much for those plans.
Until six weeks ago, I spent the last 13 years driving 150 miles a day to and from work. I have seen things that would cause my wife to hide under the bed just telling her about them. And most of the time it is simply because someone is in a hurry. Even if it is to get in front of the next car.
Why? Why are we in such a hurry? And the consequences of this drivers actions are unpardonable. I spent 10 months as a hospital chaplain and worked the trauma bay enough to see what automobile accidents can do to those driving and the aftermath of the pain, loss and suffering of those that come to the hospital to see their loved ones broken.
Is it so hard to just take a few extra minutes getting where your going? And if you miss your exit, go to the next one and turn around. Don't back up, use the emergency access in the median or anything else that will get you or me killed.
When questioned, the driver told police that he had been driving in New York for 10 years and "never needed a license" there but that he had one at one time from the Bahamas. In Pennsylvania, operating a motor vehicle without a license during an incident that causes a fatality is automatic murder by vehicle. I believe that is 2nd degree murder and could carry a life sentence. Meanwhile, two other passengers are in critical condition.
And the kicker is, that he hadn't missed his exit; he really needed to get off at the next exit anyway. And why was he in such a hurry? To get to Dorney Park - a local amusement park - where some kids from NY were going to have a chance to have a nice day. So much for those plans.
Until six weeks ago, I spent the last 13 years driving 150 miles a day to and from work. I have seen things that would cause my wife to hide under the bed just telling her about them. And most of the time it is simply because someone is in a hurry. Even if it is to get in front of the next car.
Why? Why are we in such a hurry? And the consequences of this drivers actions are unpardonable. I spent 10 months as a hospital chaplain and worked the trauma bay enough to see what automobile accidents can do to those driving and the aftermath of the pain, loss and suffering of those that come to the hospital to see their loved ones broken.
Is it so hard to just take a few extra minutes getting where your going? And if you miss your exit, go to the next one and turn around. Don't back up, use the emergency access in the median or anything else that will get you or me killed.
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