Rollover accident I-81 South PA/MD border

[danddclydes]

This was today at about 2:30 on I -81 South. Appears to be a Phaeton with New York plates. Possible entrapment.
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site556/2014/0319/20140319__538182~s500~ph.jpg

[Effy]

Knowing this area, they just passed a rest stop.

[Executive45]

I was going to respond when Paul played the age card but I've been too cranky on here lately. IMHO, it doesn't matter, young or old, if you're sleepy pull over. He may have fallen asleep but that doesn't rule out a medical condition that caused it and that could happen at any age.

Dirty Harry said it best, "A man's gotta know his limitations"......Dennis

[turbojimmy]

Dachristianman wrote:
If you won't pull over in a class A to take a nap, when would you?

I had to laugh at that. So true. All the comforts of home are right behind you.

[super_camper]

The article says the accident was reported about 2:30pm. Mid-afternoon is a difficult time for many people, young and old, especially after eating a large lunch that may include moderate alcohol consumption.

We are all responsible to know and understand our own limitations.

As for the comments on the condition of the vehicle, I agree with those that say these people are very fortunate, that MH was severely crushed.

[larry_barnhart]

We get the story from our MH neighbors that we should have bought a MH so the wife can use the bathroom and fix a sandwich while driving on the road etc. I sent this picture of how wonderful that idea could end up. It did once for another friend that hit the kitchen cabinet corner and loss the use of her shoulder. Be smart folks.

chevman

[wny_pat1]

paulcardoza wrote:
I just hope that:

1. I make it to 80 years old.
2. I'm aware enough to realize my limits at that age!

There are just way too many stories about elderly drivers who should not be behind the wheel these days. This is not intended to bash any group of folks. I'm a firm believer that EVERYONE with a license should be ROAD TESTED periodically, to ensure they are capable of controlling their vehicles properly.

With you on this Paul! And I am the guy who needs to be Road Tested periodically, cause I have a ego that says I can do it as well, or better, than any young whipper snapper! And maybe I can today, but who knows about tomorrow. Don't keep track of my age anymore - have to figure it out mathematically when someone asks. 2014 - 1946 = ___. Naa, I don't want to know because the joints tell me.

[falconman]

There are hundreds of fatalities every year in this county involving properly licensed drivers. We cannot legislate away every problem, every poor decision, although we keep trying.

[Dachristianman]

Glad they're ok. That looks like one expensive nap.

If you won't pull over in a class A to take a nap, when would you?

[bsimonds]

paulcardoza wrote:
I just hope that:

1. I make it to 80 years old.
2. I'm aware enough to realize my limits at that age!

There are just way too many stories about elderly drivers who should not be behind the wheel these days. This is not intended to bash any group of folks. I'm a firm believer that EVERYONE with a license should be ROAD TESTED periodically, to ensure they are capable of controlling their vehicles properly.

We're just fortunate that young people never get sleepy. I doubt that the drivers license test will ever require testing to see how long a driver can drive before he nods off.

[paulcardoza]

I just hope that:

1. I make it to 80 years old.
2. I'm aware enough to realize my limits at that age!

There are just way too many stories about elderly drivers who should not be behind the wheel these days. This is not intended to bash any group of folks. I'm a firm believer that EVERYONE with a license should be ROAD TESTED periodically, to ensure they are capable of controlling their vehicles properly.

[Bruce_Brown]

Glad to see everyone is safe.

And since they are...

That one will soon be for sale on Cranky Ape, listed as a fixer upper with minor damage that should buff right out. :B

Seriously though, thank God everyone is OK and no one else was involved. I really hate to see stuff like this but it is a good reminder as well. Drive safe - bad things happen fast.

[mpierce]

Mike Hohnstein wrote:

PCarnathan wrote:
My heart goes out to these folks. The accident looks pretty awful; It must be a testament to the structure of the RV that the occupants suffered only "minor" injuries.

Then again, I imagine "minor" is in the eye of the beholder.

Pat in Menifee, CA
www.patcarnathan.com

Do you really think that mess is a testament to structural integrity?? Really?? I would give credit to good karma on the survivors part, period. Pure junk, folded like the card board it was made out of.

Totally agree. Simple rollover, and it is crushed!

[danddclydes]

Update with names: The article says the driver fell asleep at the wheel.
Two people were injured after a motor home overturned on I-81 Wednesday afternoon.

Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg, said a 37-foot Tiffin Mobile Home was traveling south on I-81 near mile marker 3 when the driver, John Alan Devore, 80, Pennellville, N.Y., fell asleep at the wheel.

The vehicle traveled slightly off the roadway and into the grass median when it overturned and rolled onto its roof.

Devore and his passenger, Donna Dorothy Devore, were taken to Meritus Medical Center with minor injuries.

An SUV was also being towed at the time of the crash.

[AprilWhine]

Mike Hohnstein wrote:

PCarnathan wrote:
My heart goes out to these folks. The accident looks pretty awful; It must be a testament to the structure of the RV that the occupants suffered only "minor" injuries.

Then again, I imagine "minor" is in the eye of the beholder.

Pat in Menifee, CA
www.patcarnathan.com

Do you really think that mess is a testament to structural integrity?? Really?? I would give credit to good karma on the survivors part, period. Pure junk, folded like the card board it was made out of.

I watched the news story linked in a previous post. Wow! I'm amazed anyone lived through that!

[wny_pat1]

kab449 wrote:
The local ABC affiliate posted this on Facebook. Immediately the discussion turned ugly. Many people commenting that drivers of "rigs" this large with air brakes should have CDL licenses. Lots of comments to change the license law as it pertains to RV's. Of course none of the experts knew exactly what caused the accident.

Going by the approximate GVWR, 35,320 lb, and the fact that it was licensed in NYS, the NYS driver should have held a NYS class D with RV endorsement for over 26,000 lbs. NYS does not require a air brake endorsment, and I do not see where it would have made any difference in this accident other that air brakes may have been to effective under these conditions. But then a Jake brake could have gotten them into the accident also. Pennsylvania has the very same requirement for a non-commercial Class A or B license above 26,000 lb GVWR or GCWR.