MEC&F Expert Engineers : 11/01/17

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Log truck driver Aaron Z. Cochran, died after he was ejected from his 2014 Kenworth when he was going too fast and ailed to negotiate a curve and the truck overturned on Hwy 101 in Port Angeles, WA


Log truck driver Aaron Z. Cochran, died after he was ejected from his 2014 Kenworth when he was going too fast and ailed to negotiate a curve and the truck overturned on Hwy 101 in Port Angeles, WA

PORT ANGELES, WA — A 44-year-old log truck driver died early Tuesday morning after he crossed the U.S. Highway 101 centerline at Lake Crescent, struck a guardrail and overturned, authorities said.

Driver Aaron Z. Cochran, who was ejected from his 2014 Kenworth, died at the scene, Washington State Patrol spokesman Russ Winger said.

The collision occurred at milepost 230 near Crescent Lake Viewpoint, shutting down Highway 101 in both directions from milepost 231 to milepost 232 near East Beach Road beginning at 6:21 a.m., according to a state Department of Transportation email alert Tuesday morning.

Drivers traveling to and from the West End rerouted to state Highway 112.

The road fully reopened at 1:30 p.m., State Patrol spokesman Russ Winger said.

Olympic National Park and the State Patrol are investigating the fatality, Olympic National Park spokeswoman Penny Wagner said in an email.

Winger said Cochran might not have been wearing a seat belt while driving the fully loaded log truck east toward Port Angeles.

“He was ejected from the vehicle,” he said. “Maybe he was going too fast, but we don’t know that yet.

“Whether there was anything mechanical, our commercial vehicle guys are inspecting that.”

Cochran came around a curve, crossed the centerline and was coming into another curve when he lost control, Winger said.

“As it came around the curve and crossed the centerline, it hit the guardrail on the left and ejected its load,” Winger said.

He said the Kenworth was uprighted, and the spilled logs were transferred to another vehicle.

A four-hour delay was scheduled in advance for Highway 101 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday between East Beach Road and Barnes Point as part of a Highway 101 construction project, Wagner said.

Strider Construction provided traffic control for the accident and cleared logs from the roadway, she said.

Jerry Yap of Beaver drove by the wreck shortly after the truck rolled, said his wife, Jodi Riker.

People were gathered around the truck and running toward it, Yap told Riker.

“He said they were trying to get the trucker, to render aid,” Riker said.

She said her husband is a veteran, a paratrooper who saw action in the Grenada conflict and was shot several times.

He turned around and took Highway 112, shaken by what he saw, Riker said.

“He was very upset, and he does not usually get that way,” she said.

“When he sees this kind of stuff, he knows how to react, but it still upsets him.”


Unfortunately all the trucks can be easily rolled over or tipped over or overturn, etc. due to shifting load, driving too fast for the road conditions, failing to negotiate the curve due to speeding, etc.  These log trucks can only accommodate a 0.2 g acceleration when going around the curve.   So, please learn from this tragedy and live.

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PORT ANGELES, Wash. — The driver of a logging truck died Tuesday morning after a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 101 west of Port Angeles.

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office says the driver crossed the centerline and struck a guardrail about 6:15 a.m.

It’s unclear why the driver lost control of his truck. He was going too fast for the curve and/or the log load shifted.  We have seen this too often with these trucks(log trucks, fuel trucks, milk trucks, etc.).

Both lanes of U.S. Highway 101 were shut down for several hours while troopers investigated the crash.



Unfortunately all the trucks can be easily rolled over or tipped over or overturn, etc. due to shifting load, driving too fast for the road conditions, failing to negotiate the curve due to speeding, etc.  These log trucks can only accommodate a 0.2 g acceleration when going around the curve.   So, please learn from this tragedy and live.

The information below can help those faced with recovering in the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate.



Managing Diabetes after a Disaster

Person injecting insulin into their a pinch of skin on their abdomen

If you are living with diabetes or have a loved one with the disease, follow these tips after an emergency.
  • It may be hard to find the food that you usually eat. Try to choose foods that are lower in carbohydrates (sugar) and salt, if possible.
  • Try to test your blood sugar often to make sure it’s in the target range. You may be getting more or less physical activity than usual and eating different foods.
  • Get medical attention for heat-related illness. Certain diabetes complications, such as damage to blood vessels and nerves, can affect your sweat glands so your body can’t cool as effectively. That can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. High temperatures can also change how your body uses insulin. You may need to test your blood sugar more often, and adjust your insulin dose and what you eat and drink.
  • Drink plenty of clean, safe, water—even if you’re not thirsty. People with diabetes get dehydrated (lose too much water from their bodies) more quickly. Not drinking enough liquids can raise blood sugar, and high blood sugar can make you urinate more, causing dehydration.
  • Avoid alcohol and drinks with caffeine, like coffee and energy or sports drinks. They can lead to water loss and spike your blood sugar levels.
  • Keep medicines, supplies, and equipment out of the heat. Insulin remains usable for 28 days at room temperature up to 86°F.
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
  • Wear sunscreen and a hat when you’re outside.
  • Don’t go barefoot.

Protect Yourself from Air Pollution

After a major storm, burning of debris, chemical releases, and other incidents can lead to poor air quality.  Individuals with asthma, COPD, or heart disease and infants and children are most at risk from exposure to air pollution, but everyone can experience effects like eye, lung or throat irritation.
When news reports the EPA Air Quality Index, or other public announcements warn you that levels are high:
  • Reduce the amount of time you spend outside and spend more time indoors, where pollution levels are usually lower. 
  • If you are cleaning up after storm damage try to do indoor work when outdoor air pollution is bad and do outdoor work when pollution levels are lower, usually in the morning and evening.
  • Choose easier outdoor activities (like walking instead of running) so you don't breathe as hard.
Avoid busy roads and highways where air pollution is usually worse because of emissions from cars and trucks.   

Alabama DOT engineering assistant Leo Fournier, 62, of Montgomery, was killed by drunk wrong-way driver on the Atlanta Highway in Montgomery, AL






Montgomery , AL
 
The Montgomery Police Department is investigating an afternoon car crash involving three pedestrians that resulted in one death and two non-life-threatening injuries.

On Tuesday, October 31, around 11:30 a.m., Montgomery Police and Fire Medics responded to the 4000 block of Atlanta Highway in reference to three pedestrians being struck by a vehicle.

Leo Fournier, 62, of Montgomery, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Jackson Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The two other adult male pedestrians were transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle, a 2005 Buick LaSabre, was not injured and was taken into custody with charges pending. He was drunk of on drugs as he was driving the wrong-way.

MPD’s investigation indicates that the Buick LaSabre was traveling the wrong way in the Eastbound lanes of Atlanta Highway when it left the roadway and struck the three pedestrians who were part of a survey crew with the Alabama Department of Transportation.

MPD’s investigation is continuing and no further information is available for release at this time.


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MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

One of the three Alabama Department of Transportation employees struck by a vehicle Tuesday morning on Atlanta Highway has died, according to the Montgomery Police Department.

The victim, identified as 62-year-old Leo Fournier of Montgomery, was pronounced dead at Jackson Hospital.

Fournier and two other men were hit on Atlanta Highway near Dalraida Road around 11:30 a.m. The other two victims are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

A Buick LaSabre was traveling the wrong way in the eastbound lanes of Atlanta Highway when it left the roadway and hit the men, police say. The driver of the Buick was taken into custody and charges are pending, police say.

According to ALDOT, Fournier was an engineering assistant and had worked for ALDOT for about eight years.

The other two men are also engineering assistants.

“The ALDOT family is in mourning over the loss of an employee who was loved by his family and his co-workers, and our prayers are with his family and with our other employees who were injured,” said ALDOT spokesman Tony Harris. “I hope this serves as a reminder that safe roadways start with safe drivers. Everyone needs to take their responsibilities seriously behind the wheel.”

Hurricane Sandy caused an estimated 147 fatalities and damage in 24 States, from Florida to Maine and as far west as Wisconsin





















U.S. Postal Delivery Truck driver Ricky Armwood, 58, was killed by Deborah Wright, 58, driving a 2015 Dodge Journey when she rear-ended the mail truck in Fayetteville, NC



FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — 


One person died in a crash involving a mail truck and an SUV in Fayetteville on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

The incident happened around 12:25 p.m. along Morganton Road near St. Mary’s Parkway, Fayetteville police said in a news release.



Ricky Armwood, 58, of Fleet Cooper Road in Rosewood, was driving the U.S. Postal Delivery Truck when the vehicle was hit from behind, police said.

Armwood died at the scene.

A woman driving a 2015 Dodge Journey crashed into the mail truck, police said.

Deborah Wright, 58, of Chilton Drive in Fayetteville is charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, according to police. Wright was not seriously hurt.

Morganton Road was closed between McPherson Church Road and Cliffdale Road.

Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Officers with the Fayetteville Police Department’s Traffic Unit at (910) 433-1807 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).




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Fayetteville, N.C. — Authorities have identified the driver killed in a two-car crash on Morganton Road on Tuesday afternoon, according to Fayetteville police.

Ricky Armwood, 58, of Fleet Cooper Road in Roseboro, was operating United States Postal Delivery Truck when his vehicle was struck from behind by a 2015 Dodge Journey.

Authorities have charged Deborah Wright, 58, of the 1200 block of Chilton Drive in Fayetteville, with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and are continuing to investigate this fatal collision.

Officers responded to the wreck, near St. Mary’s Parkway, at about 12:25 p.m.

Armwood was pronounced dead on scene. Wright was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and was listed in fair condition, authorities said.

Morganton Road was closed between McPherson Church Road and Cliffdale Road. Motorists were encouraged to utilize McPherson Church Road and Cliffdale Road to get to areas affected by the crash until the roadway can be reopened.

Officers with the Fayetteville Police Department’s Traffic Unit are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call 910-433-1807.