MEC&F Expert Engineers : 05/03/15

Sunday, May 3, 2015

PEDEGO RECALLS LITHIUM ION RECHARGEABLE BICYCLE BATTERIES DUE TO FIRE HAZARD




Recall date: April 29, 2015 

Recall number: 15-124 

Recall Summary 

Name of product:
Lithium ion rechargeable batteries

Hazard:
The batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Remedy:

Replace

Consumer Contact:
Pedego Electric Bikes toll-free at (888) 870-9754 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, email info@batteryrecall2015.com, or online at www.pedegoelectricbikes.com and click on "Voluntary Battery Recall" for more information.

Recall Details

Units
About 5,000

Description
This recall involves 36-volt and 48-volt lithium ion rechargeable batteries sold separately and as original equipment with Pedego electric bikes. Recalled batteries of each voltage came in two styles. One style has a silver or black metal case that measures about 13 ½ inches long, 6 ½ inches wide and 2 ½ inches high, with black plastic end caps and a handle. The other style has a black or white plastic case that measures about 14 inches long, 6 ½ inches wide and 2 ½ inches high with a red indicator lamp on one end. The batteries have serial numbers that start with “DLG.” A label with the serial number is on one side of the metal batteries and on the underside of the plastic batteries.

Incidents/Injuries
Pedego has received six reports of batteries overheating and catching fire, including one report of property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy
Consumers should immediately remove the battery from the bike and contact Pedego for a free replacement battery.

Sold at
Bicycle stores and electric bike retailers and online at www.pedegoelectricbikes.com from January 2010 through September 2013. The batteries were sold separately for about $600 to $900 and on electric bicycles that sold for between $2,000 and $3,000.

Manufacturer(s)
Pedego Inc., of Irvine, Calif.

Importer(s)
Pedego Inc., of Irvine, Calif.

Distributor(s)
Pedego Inc., of Irvine, Calif.

Manufactured in
China.

1 KILLED, 2 INJURED IN HIGH SPEED CRASH IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE






MAY 2, 2015

NASHVILLE, TENN. (WKRN) 

One person was killed and two others injured in a crash not far from Tennessee State University Saturday night.

It happened around 5:40 p.m. at 40th Avenue North and Albion Street.

An investigation into the crash by Metro police revealed convicted felon Demond Buchanan, 37, was speeding on Clifton Avenue when an officer attempted to pull him over.

Buchanan, driving a black Chevrolet Camaro, sped away from the officer and turned onto 40th Avenue North. The officer deactivated his emergency equipment and did not pursue Buchanan.

A short time later, authorities said Buchanan collided with a white Chevrolet Trailblazer as he was attempting to pass it on the left while it was turning onto Albion Street.

The collision caused the Trailblazer to roll over and the Camaro to leave the roadway, striking a brick building.

A passenger of the Camaro, identified as 37-year-old Marlon Burnett, died at the scene and Buchanan was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the Trailblazer was taken to Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Police discovered a loaded handgun, a large amount of cash and marijuana inside the Camaro.

Authorities reported there is evidence on the scene of drug use by both Buchanan and Burnett.

A blood sample was taken from Buchanan for analysis.

Buchanan, of Baby Ruth Lane, has previous convictions for aggravated assault, cocaine possession, felon in possession of a weapon, aggravated burglary, and evading arrest.  He was cited on April 9 for reckless driving and driving on a revoked license.

Charges relating to this fatal crash will be determined after the completion of the investigation.

BRUSH FIRE IN ALPINE, NEW JERSEY EXTINGUISHED




MAY 3, 2015


ALPINE, NEW JERSEY



Crews were battling a large brush fire along the Palisades cliffs late Saturday night, police said. 

On Saturday evening, May 2nd 2015 the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department received numerous calls from Westchester County residents reporting smoke and fire on the side of the Palisades cliffs in the Alpine NJ Section. 

Officers responded as well as the Alpine NJ Fire Department.   Alpine Fire discovered a heavy smoke condition coming from the cliff north of Alpine Boat Basin and south of State Line Lookout. 

Crews deployed on foot into the woods to find the seat of the fire.  Additional fire marine assets were requested for water supply and manpower assistance.  
The fire continued to travel up the cliff as well as north and south of the original area.  Due to the treacherous conditions, firefighters were delayed in getting control of the fire before it could consume a 300x300 area.  The fire was brought under control shortly before midnight.

Fortunately, no one was injured during this incident.

 Fire boats also responded from New York to help control the flames, authorities said. 

Firefighters advising area is on the side of the cliff in the Alpine NJ section approximately 300x300. Marine assets assisting.
— ParkwayPolice (@ParkwayPolice) May 3, 2015

Local Fire Department operating at a brush fire on the trails along the Hudson River North of the Alpine Boat Basin.
— ParkwayPolice (@ParkwayPolice) May 3, 2015

MAN KILLED IN PARAGLIDER CRASH AT UTAH LAKE WAS PRACTICING IN-FLIGHT EMERGENCY ‘DRILLS’




MAY 1, 2015

UTAH COUNTY, UTAH

A 59-year-old man from California died after crashing a paraglider into Utah Lake near Saratoga Springs Friday evening.

According to information from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, search and rescue crews were dispatched just after 6 p.m. on a report of a man who crashed into Utah Lake while paragliding. The release states the man was about 150 feet in the air while being towed behind a boat near the south end of Saratoga Springs when the crash occurred.

The victim has been identified as Siegfried C. Muhlhauser of Murrieta, California.
Witnesses told emergency responders the man was, “conducting ‘drills’ designed to simulate responding to in-flight emergencies when something happened and the paraglider fell into the water.”

The man was under water for several minutes before witnesses were able to get him into a boat. He was not  breathing and bystanders began CPR. Personnel from Saratoga Springs Fire and Rescue and Lehi Fire responded and tried to revive the man.

Rescue efforts were not successful, and the victim died at the scene. The body will be taken to the Utah Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death.