Wednesday, April 1, 2015

87-YEAR-OLD MAN CAUSED I-94 TANKER EXPLOSION WHEN HE ABRUPTLY CHANGED LANES AND COLLIDED WITH A TANKER

















APRIL 1, 2015

DEARBORN-DETROIT, MICHIGAN

An 87-year-old man who hit a fuel tanker while changing lanes last month on I-94 is responsible for the ensuing crash near the Dearborn-Detroit border that created fireball explosions and closed eastbound lanes for several days, police said.

The man, whose identity wasn't immediately released, was driving his car eastbound in the right lane March 11 near Michigan Avenue when he went to change lanes and collided with the tanker trailer operated by a 55-year-old Redford Township man. The car spun in front of the truck, causing the truck to travel into the left lane, striking a third vehicle and forcing it into oncoming traffic lanes, according to a report Michigan State Police released Wednesday.

The tanker was carrying 13,000 gallons of diesel and unleaded fuel, and the large explosions emitted black smoke plumes visible for miles before crews had the fire under control. No one was killed, and only minor injuries were reported. 

The third vehicle in the crash was driven by a 23-year-old woman from Woodhaven, and police said all three vehicles were totaled in the fires.

The 87-year-old man was found to be at fault, but police didn't specify penalties he could face.

The popular highway's eastbound lanes were closed for a few days so crews could replace a section of pavement about 150 feet long. A substantial cleanup was necessary, as fuel had leaked into a nearby sewer system and areas near the crash.

Dearborn fire crews were among several agencies on the crash scene. Western Wayne and Downriver hazardous materials teams were called in to assist, and the Marathon Oil Refinery in Detroit dispatched four firefighters and a special foam truck to help battle the blaze, refinery spokesman Jamal Kheiry previously said. Detroit Metro Airport also dispatched a staff member as part of a mutual aid hazardous materials team, according to spokesman Michael Conway, who noted that the smoke did not disrupt air traffic in or out of the airport.

Old people like that must lose their driving license for good.  They are causing numerous accidents on the roads through their lack of memory, low reflexes, slow speed in the left lanes, lack of hearing, and so on.