Motorhome driver sentenced in fatal accident

Veebyes wrote:
All in an effort to shave a few seconds off of travel time. We all see it every day. The "me first" attitude. "My time is more important than yours."

This was no accident. It was caused by human error. It was a crash. Accidents happen when there is nothing that the human could have done to avoid it such as a mechanical failure, a blowout, a sudden severe incapaciting medical condition.

:h I generally thought "accident" meant mainly that something was unintentional, not on purpose, and not expected. It usually seems to me to carry somewhat of an implication that there could be the possibility of avoidance with better forethought or planning or care. (Webster's New World dictionary seems to suggest this meaning, as well, at least with one of its definitions.)

A tree being struck by lightning and falling on my roof I would not call an accident. A tree being cut with a chainsaw that falls on my roof I would consider an accident—it's presumably not an intentional act, but nevertheless could be avoided by using ropes or wedges or calling Rick who is an experienced licensed arborist.

In this case, it does appear at first glance that the driver was probably acting imprudently and at least a little negligently, but I see no evidence at all that he was purposing to kill a police officer or damage property. Hence, the death would be an accidental death, and the tragedy an accident—or so I take it.

It's a good reminder to all of us to drive carefully and alertly, doubly so when operating big and heavy and cumbersome vehicles.