That question was raised again on a national level after a massive car accident in Florida left at least 11 people dead and several more injured. In that tragic crash, the road had been closed for about three hours prior to the crash because of poor visibility caused by smoke and fog. Shortly after the road was reopened, the pileup occurred.
]]> Since then, people have been asking why the road was reopened and how it could have happened. It's also made people in Wisconsin and other states wonder what sort of regulations are in place for shutting down roads because of bad conditions.The answer isn't simple: According to a CBS News article, there are few guidelines or regulations when it comes to closing roads. No guidelines have been issued by federal transportation agencies about when roads should be closed due to poor conditions such as sand storms, heavy fog and fire or smoke.
In some states, a single trooper at the scene can determine whether a road should be closed. Officials often rely on officers monitoring road conditions to determine when to close a road. Clearly, in Florida that strategy failed last week.
What do you think? What else can be done to prevent further tragedies?
Source: CBS News, "Few guidelines exist on when to shut down roads," Feb. 1, 2012
]]>According to the Walworth County Today, the woman's physicians say her injuries will require about two months of hospitalization, and the woman will undergo multiple surgeries.
]]> Officers estimate that the suspect was traveling at least 20 mph faster than the posted speed limit, which increased impact of the accident. As a result, the 29-year-old man has been charged with reckless driving and and other violations.The woman, who is a fifth-grade teacher at Central-Denison Elementary School in Lake Geneva, was trapped in her car for a time after the accident. Rescue crews reportedly had to use the Jaws of Life to free her from her vehicle. She was first taken to a local hospital but later airlifted to Froedert Hospital in Milwaukee.
The man could see up to four years and eight months in prison. He could also be fined $21,000 if convicted of the charges, which include reckless driving causing great bodily harm, operating without a valid license, and possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana.
It's estimated that he was traveling between 40 and 50 mph at the time he went through the intersection. The speed limit in the area is 25 mph.
Source: Walworth County Today, "Driver in court Friday, charged in accident that injured Lake Geneva teacher," Jan. 25, 2012
]]>The driver was allegedly speeding when she lost control of her car, which crashed into a tree located in the median of the road. The car was totaled. The passenger in the car, a 34-year old woman, died at the scene of the accident.
]]> The driver of the vehicle suffered minor injuries, and was later taken to the hospital for treatment. Police are investigating the cause and details of the accident. The woman was later arrested as a result of outstanding warrants for her arrest. She was later charged with two counts: homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle (prohibited alcohol concentration).If convicted, the woman is facing 25 years in prison an up to $100,000 in fines, according to Fox 6 Now's website. It was also reported this week that the woman will undergo a mental evaluation.
People in the area have reportedly voiced concerns about excessive speeding that is far too common in the area. When a car crashes into a structure such as a tree when traveling at a high rate of speed, tragedy can result. A picture posted to Fox 6 Now's website shows the totaled car wrapped around the tree in the median. It was a horrific crash that never should have happened.
Source: Fox 6 Now, "Charges filed in fatal crash near 91st and Capitol in Milwaukee," Jan. 19, 2012
]]>As people grow old, they often are forced to live with their children or grandchildren, particularly in the rough economy. Many also need to stay in retirement villages or nursing homes, and there have been many documented cases of nursing home abuse.
]]> Elder abuse in general is a growing concern in this country. As people grow old, they are often mentally, physically and financially vulnerable. Advocates believe there should be more safe houses to protect the elderly from such abuse.The first elder abuse shelter was opened in the Bronx in New York City several years ago. Now there are about a half-dozen such shelters open in the country. They are generally funded by non-profit groups, according to a USA Today article.
Unfortunately, one advocate points out, as people have aged, the percentage of people with Alzheimer's and dementia is at an all-time high. She calls that a "recipe for disaster" in terms of the potential for elder abuse.
Sadly, abuse often goes unreported when the elderly are abused by their own caregivers. It is hoped that funding can be increased so awareness programs can become more prevalent.
Source: USA Today, "As USA grays, elder abuse risk and need for shelters grow," Haya El Nasser, Jan. 10, 2012
]]>Following a two-car accident in Dodge County, a 17-year-old from Lomira was in critical condition. According to the Dodge County Sheriff's report, the girl was involved in the car accident at 11 p.m. on an evening earlier this month near Badger Road near Butternut Road in the town of Lomira.
]]> The deputy's report states that the girl was driving with her brother, a 15-year-old, in the passenger seat. Another driver, a 17-year-old Brownsville boy, with a 17-year-old passenger from Theresa, was headed north on Butternut Road. The male driver told the police he was following the female driver in her car. He said she pulled over to the side of the road, and then turned left in front of his vehicle.The sheriff investigating the car accident believes the two teen drivers were racing. According to the Fond du Lac Reporter, because the teens apparently didn't want police involvement, they asked an 18-year-old friend to tow the vehicles to his farm. Everyone involved in the crash had their seatbelts on, and no one appeared injured following the car accident.
However, when the girl's father showed up to pick her and her brother up, she started having difficulty remembering what happened. She then started slipping in and out of consciousness. They brought her to St. Agnes Hospital where she was flown to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
The incident not only shows the dangers of racing, but the importance of getting checked out after an accident, particularly if there are potential head injuries.
Source: Fond du Lac Reporter, "Lomira teen critically injured in accident," Russell Plummer, Jan. 10, 2012
]]>The 16-year-old's wrongful death reportedly occurred just before midnight one evening last week at the corner of North 81st Street and West Villard Avenue. Police say someone shot him several times during a fight outside an apartment building.
]]> The dispute apparently started on Facebook and involved the victim's cousin and ex-girlfriend. Sources say he just got caught in the middle. As of the day after the murder, no arrests had been made.The victim's aunt tells WTMJ of the killing, "It's real petty. It wasn't worth it. It wasn't."
The boy was a junior at Bradley Tech High School. Grief counselors were reportedly on hand to help students with the loss of their friend. A classmate describes the victim as a good friend.
Police say they are alarmed at the high rate of crime so early in 2012. Five people were killed in the first five days of the year, and a Milwaukee alderman says the year is clearly off to a bad start. It's believed many of the killings are related to gang and drug activity. It's too early to tell if the start to the year is a trend of what's to come, he says.
Hopefully, it isn't, and situations can be avoided that lead to fights that leave innocent people injured or dead.
Source: WTMJ, "Bradley Tech student shot to death in Milwaukee's 5th murder of 2012," Jan. 5, 2012
]]>The exact number of traffic fatalities last year was 569, a slight increase of seven over the year before, but a significant decline of 59 over the average number of car accident deaths for the past five years. According to the Capital Times, the last time Wisconsin had four years in a row with fewer than 600 traffic fatalities was a period from 1924 to 1927.
]]> The department could not attribute the recent decline in traffic fatalities to a single factor. A spokesperson indicated that the poor economy and the relatively high price of gasoline may have played a role in decreasing the number of cars on the road.Deaths from motorcycle accidents were also down a significant 18 percent from the year before, falling to 85 from 103.
The spokesperson also emphasized that it was possible to do even better in the future. She asserted that many of the 569 traffic fatalities that occurred in 2011 could have been prevented by improving careless driving habits and avoiding irresponsible choices made behind the wheel.
Source: The Capital Times, "State traffic deaths under 600 for fourth straight year," Bill Novak, Jan. 4, 2012
]]>The accident happened on Saturday night, a bit before midnight. The man was reportedly driving a Cadillac on Interstate 794, north of the arches on the bridge. He apparently struck the median wall and drove on the median for about 300 feet before crashing into a light pole. The car then spun back onto the road.
]]> According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, the Milwaukee Fire Department responded and had to extract the driver and his two passengers. They all sustained injuries, including face and hand lacerations. Luckily, none of their injuries were life-threatening.Adding to the chaos was a second accident that happened as a result of the first. As crews worked to clear the accident, a Chevrolet Malibu struck a Toyota SUV in front of it when the SUV braked to avoid crashing into the Cadillac. Both of those drivers were wearing their seatbelts and will not face any charges.
The highway was closed for about an hour and 15 minutes until the crash was cleared by about 12:30 a.m.
One of the Cadillac's passengers was to be arrested after receiving medical treatment because of two unrelated warrants, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Speed, alcohol caused crash on Hoan Bridge, authorities say," Gitte Laasby, Jan. 8, 2012
]]>Both the driver and the bicyclist were traveling south on S. Nicholson Ave., but the cyclist was on the opposite shoulder, heading against traffic. The driver, who was behind the wheel of a Pontiac Sunfire, crossed the center line, into northbound lanes of traffic, and struck the bicyclist from behind. Neither police, nor the driver, know why the driver allowed himself to drift so far over the line. The driver claimed that he blacked out and only remembers the sound of the collision when he struck the bicyclist.
]]> Police confirmed that neither alcohol nor drugs played a role in the crash and the driver was not using a cellphone during the moments before the incident.Instead of criminal charges, the driver was given citations for minor traffic violations.
This is not unusual in Wisconsin, as prosecutors say it is tough to determine that road deaths in these cases are caused by negligent and illegal action by drivers. District attorneys often do not attempt to pursue criminal charges. The assistant district attorney who looked at this specific case said he saw no signs of criminal negligence. The victim's family was not satisfied with the punishment. The driver's fines amounted to about $207.
But advocates have had enough and are calling for stiffer penalties for drivers that strike and kill cyclists, road workers and other pedestrians. Many bicyclists are pushing for a vulnerable user law.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Citations in death of Oak Creek bicyclist add to push for vulnerable user law," Tom Held, Dec. 21, 2011
]]>That's the takeaway from a tragic accident in Milwaukee last week that left a 10-year-old girl dead and a 5-year-old girl critically injured. The older girl's wrongful death resulted after the car her mother was driving plowed into the back of a parked tractor trailer. Police now say the older child in the car warned the mother of the impending crash, after the woman had turned around to respond to one of the children in the rear passenger seat. The warning apparently came too late.
]]> According to Wisn.com, the woman was driving her Pontiac Grand-Am at about 2 a.m. one recent morning on Atkinson Avenue near 20th Street. She says she was distracted by her children and took her eyes off the road for a moment. That was apparently enough time for her to miss seeing the parked truck.She crashed into the rear of the tractor trailer, causing the passenger side of the Grand-Am to be pinned underneath the trailer. The woman's 10-year-old daughter was pronounced dead at the scene. The younger daughter suffered unspecified serious injuries.
Reports indicate the woman was arrested after the accident, but no charges were immediately filed. Police apparently believed alcohol was a factor, and speed might have been as well. Since no charges were filed when she was arrested, it was unclear whether the woman would face any.
Source: Wisn.com, "Child warned mother seconds before crash," Dec. 27, 2011
]]>She demanded that Milwaukee's Fire and Police Commission take action to impose discipline on the officers. The commission is scheduled to inquire into whether the officers' conduct violated any police department rules and, if so, what action should be taken, according to MSNBC.
]]> The woman suffered a number of injuries when she was struck by the car, a white Ford Explorer, on April 18, 2010. The accident took place after a fight outside a tavern, and resulted in the victim being literally dragged approximately 40 feet by the vehicle, which apparently did not stop.Both officers claimed that their investigation following the accident was adequate and followed departmental guidelines. The woman asserted, however, that the officers acted like they did not care, and appeared to do the minimal amount possible. She reported being frustrated by the lack of progress when she spoke to them about how the case was progressing.
She asserted that she was the one who actually found the motorist who had been operating the hit-and-run vehicle after the officers appeared to be taking too long to conclude their investigation. This led to the driver subsequently being placed under arrest. In court, he did not contest his responsibility for the accident, and was found guilty of felony criminal charges of hit-and-run, including a finding of intent to cause great bodily harm.
Source: MSNBC, "Injured hit-and-run victim finds culprit, wants cops disciplined," Dec. 8, 2011
]]>The head of the Milwaukee Police Association has some harsh words for the driver responsible for a Milwaukee police officer's critical injuries in a car accident on Christmas night. "Callous" is one word the man uses to describe the driver's actions.
]]> This is what happened. When the police officer and a fellow employee made a traffic stop at about 5:17 p.m. on Christmas at S. 17th Street and West Windlake Avenue, a driver traveling the wrong way apparently jumped the curb and hit the officer, who was standing next to his squad car. The driver then fled the scene.The crash left the officer in critical condition at a local hospital. Police are now looking for the hit-and-run driver. They believe he or she was driving a dark mid-sized sedan. The vehicle is likely missing the passenger side mirror and may have some damage on the front end as well, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Milwaukee police chief tells the paper that they "are appealing to the public to give us any information about this vehicle."
The head of the MPA says that the officer and his colleague were focused during the traffic stop, and that there was nothing they could do once they saw the wrong-way driver heading their way. He tells TMJ 4 that the officers "tried to do something about it, but they just couldn't."
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Officer struck by vehicle, in critical condition," Meg Jones, Dec. 26, 2011
]]>The woman was found lifeless by her mother one morning. She called 911 but the woman was unable to be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at the scene. The mother told authorities she had spoken with her daughter just the night before.
]]> Police apparently found drug paraphernalia, including a used syringe, in the woman's bedroom. They also used her cellphone to track down the man who had been selling her drugs.Police also talked to a friend who would allegedly assist her in buying the drugs. On the day of her final purchase, the friend apparently helped her buy $300 worth of heroin, which amounted to about 15 bags of the drug.
The woman apparently ingested the heroin in a gas station bathroom and called her friend, saying she'd overdosed. She apparently ran away from paramedics who tried to help her.
The man who sold her the drugs was charged with first-degree reckless homicide and was being held in jail on a $10,000 cash bond. In addition to facing 40 years in prison, he could also see a $100,000 fine. The charges were filed in Waukesha County Circuit Court, according to Patch.
Source: Patch.com, "Update: Man charged in overdose death of woman had long history with victim," Andy Ambrosius, Dec. 20, 2011
]]>The nursing home, which closed after it was cited for poor health and safety mechanisms, was supposedly known for its treatment of severe bedsores. That turned out not to be true. The treatment the woman and others received at the nursing home are the basis for some serious accusations. Family members cited ulcers on the legs of the woman that were so bad that amputation was advised.
]]> She eventually needed to surgery to pry apart her knees, which had become stuck together. Doctors said her sores were incredibly deep. Such sores can develop when patients are not turned often enough.Upon the transfer from the allegedly negligent nursing home, the woman was transported to a hospital and a different care facility where she recovered from her wounds, much to the surprise of many of those working with her. Her family describes the woman as having a strong survival mechanism. She just refused to give up, even when doctors were expecting her to pass away.
According to the Sun Times, the facility the woman sued was closed about 18 months ago after the state received numerous complaints and failed inspections. The woman's sister refers her time there "an ordeal from hell."
Source: Sun Times, "Woman who sued Northlake nursing home for malpractice dies," Mark Taylor, Dec. 9, 2011
]]>According to Fox 6 Now, approximately 100,000 drivers were caught without valid licenses in Wisconsin last year. Statistically, they are the most dangerous drivers, which makes the huge number all the more frightening.
]]> Under the new law, it will be a felony to cause a crash involving injury or death if a driver is unlicensed, has a revoked license or has a suspended license. The bill apparently passed with heavy, bipartisan support.The unlicensed driver responsible for the motorcyclist's death back in 2005 received a pair of traffic tickets, which he did not pay, for his role in the accident. If the new law had been in effect then, he would surely have faced a much more serious punishment.
The motorcyclist's father, a former Greendale police chief, has been trying for several years to get the new law passed, and was persistent in testifying in Madison for several years. He says he knows the new law won't bring his son back, but he knows his son's name will have a lasting legacy.
When people do not have a license, or their license has been revoked or suspended, there is a reason they should not get behind the wheel. Perhaps the new law will discourage them from putting others' lives at risk.
Source: Fox 6 Now, "Gov. Walker signs Nick's Law that gets tough on unlicensed, revoked drivers," Bryan Polcyn, Dec. 15, 2011
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