Co-worker of mine critically, perhaps fatally, injured. Warning: RANT

[Dave2112]

I get to work today and find out that a young co-worker of mine was critically injured in a car accident, was airlifted to Burlington with a crushed skull and is not expected to make it.

He's 19. Just started dating this beautiful girl. Bought his first car.

He was in the back seat, his sister driving. And here's where I cannot help but just get fucking pissed beyond any measure of the word.

Apparently, she was using her iPhone or some such device we can't fucking live without these days to check her fucking MySpace page. While driving.

Have we gotten THAT addicted to this shit these days? Is seeing your goddamn name on a thread or webpage or whatever shit so goddamn important that we're willing to jump at the first sign of further attention? "Oh lookie! Someone posted to my page! Someone likes me! I have to read this RIGHT NOW!!!"

By the way, she's fine. Got a couple bruised ribs and walked away. Her boyfriend banged his head. My friend was thrown from the car from the angle it hit and was thrown into a tree head-first.

I hope the fucking post was worth it.

Sorry, I'm just so sick of the MySpace-ization of every damn corner of our society these days. People counting the words of strangers and electronic buddies greater than the health, safety and well-being of those in thier real lives. If they HAD real lives half the time.

Jeremy's in a coma, has already had a couple surgeries and is not expected to make it barring a miracle. 19 fucking years old. 19. Even if he does make it, he'll never be the same and probably won't be able to function. For what? For fucking WHAT?

I'm sorry, I'm just really pissed off about this.

 

[Sandrock74]

Thats really some horrible news. I'm sorry to hear about your friend.
This is why I don't use my cell phone while driving (and absolutely forget texting!). Thats what voicemail is for, I'll call you back at a convienient time for me.
Who REALLY needs to check the internet from their phone anyway?? Really? Your THAT important?

 

[-Hari-]

Yeah man, its a growing problem, people dont seem to realise the reality of what could happen until it does, and by then its far too late and you just have to live.. or die with what happens as a result.

A regular and popular customer fom where I work recently overdid it in his VERY fast and expensive car and lost control and put himself thru the half way thru the windscreen.

the only reason he didnt go all the way thru was because he was so mangled up in the rest of the car where it crumpled so badly, they had to cut him out and airlift him, he was bleeding from the brain so badly that he only lasted a few hours, but imagine what was going thru his mind....

what do you say to yourself when youve messed up that badly and you know your a gonna because of your own stupidity, and now its too late.

Not the same situation but still, peoples ignorance to the dangers around them....whats happening to common sense?


Dude i really hope this friend of yours makes it, Its TOO wrong for him to lose his life over someone elses foolishness.


Hari

 

[venray]

I lost 2 friends both 19 years old within the past 2 years to similar senseless accidents.....

Some never learn no matter what happens, and the laws on the books just are not enforced enough...

Sorry you are going through this Dave....I know what it is like...

 

[Capnmad]

My condolences, man.

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

Half of the near misses we've had in the last few years are the result of some idiot on their phone or some stupid thing like that. I think that anyone found to have been on the phone, texting, etc. as the cause of an accident resulting in death should be charged with criminally neglegent homicide!

 

[Adam]

I have no helpful words. Truly, I hope checking her MySpace was worth it. God damn.

 

[Mitchell]

Dave, I am so sorry to hear about Jeremy's accident. I hope and pray that he survives, and makes a full recovery.

Jeremy's sister was extremely unwise to check her mail at that time. Cell phones, laptops, text messages, are all things that should be used when someone is not driving. The distraction of checking such things can cause serious accidents. When I was talking to my father, he would sometimes call me from his cell phone while driving, and I would tell him to wait til he got to the office, and then call me back.

My thoughts are with you, Dave, and with Jeremy.

Take care,
Mitch

 

[KrazieDog]

So sorry to hear about your friend Dave. It really unfortunate and yes it's a pet peeve with me too.

 

[wanderingpixie2112]

Ah jeez, Dave. I'm so sorry to hear about this.

Technology has it's place, but it's certainly not behind the wheel of a moving vehicle.

 

[Tiger.Lily]

Praying for him, Dave. And you.

I'm sorry...

 

[AffectionateDan]

No apologies necessary, Dave...

...bitch needs to go to jail for that shit. Unbefuckinglievable.

 

[nostradamas]

Sorry Dave. This really hits home

Two weeks ago, I was violently (50+mph) rear-ended on my motorcycle by a 17 yr old kid who was fishing around on his passenger floorboard for .... you guessed it .... his cell phone.

He didn't even try to stop and (according to the police report) only looked up when he heard the "THUD".

If it wasn't for my helmet, I'd definitely be dead, or worse: "Feed me, wipe me , Killl Me!" Check out the massive damage.

The cops couldn't even find my license plate 'cause it was shoved so far in.
That was a full wrap retro fender on a VTX 1800, btw.

I'm pretty banged up, though, (broken ribs, road rash) but lucky as all hell. Really, really lucky.😱

Something has gotta be done about kids and cell phones.

 

[Obelon]

We baned using a cell phone in the UK for a good reason and while I do see still to many driver's on their phone, it has been reduced.

I recent study in the UK has found that drivers who are on their phones txt, talking etc are even more distracted and have little control than even drunk drivers.

I know some people might feel laws like no cell phones, having to wear seatbelts etc is our government going to bigbrother but these laws do save lives and are in place for a reason. I am guessing you are allowed to use a cell phone when driving in the US ?

I really do hope your friend recovers and wish him well. Also while I did ask the question I am going to assume you don't have a law against using mobile's perhaps it might be time to work for that goal. They really are to much of a distraction and even if you don't have a acciedent when using one, you are being a dangours driver by using them and should be charged as such.

 

[DownUnder]

Sheesus, real sorry to hear that Dave. And I sure can understand why you're angry - checking your Myspace page whilst driving, that is pretty extreme.

And Nostradamus - I've been hit in a similar situation about a year ago; fortunately I just fell off my bike and suffered no major damage. The driver who hit me just presumed that I was going through this really tight red light. All the best with your recovery mate - real shame about the bike; but the main thing is you're OK.

Obelon, I read some British research saying that the use of cell phones whilst driving is even more dangerous than drink-driving? Surely it's time for government to come down real hard on turds who talk on the phone whilst driving. It's a real epidemic.

 

[kered]

Sorry to hear this Dave. I see this behavior a lot in my work and people weaving over the road because they are more focused on the phone than driving. Hell, my neighbor can't even back down her driveway without a phone in her ear. Jusy damn dangerous and senseless in my opinion.

 

[sushi854]

This story will definitely make me think about doing stuff such as messing with my ipod whilst driving, etc., although I can say I've never surfed the net behind the wheel. But I think anyone who brings any type of electronic device into their vehicle needs to take heed. And I don't think jail time can match the level of severity that will come with the punishment of this girl living for the rest of her life knowing that she killed her brother because she was checking her myspace page.

 

[Lauren Tyler]

My thoughts and prayers are with you. And I really hope that the girl faces some kind of legal consequences for this. It was totally irresponsible what she did, and the results should be her fault.

 

[falcon]

sorry to hear about all that, dave. i totally agree with you, though. cell phones and moving vehicles do not mix and never have. i hope your bud gets better and pulls out of this.

 

[slacker2114]

This may sound cold-blooded, but bear with me. While I'm sorry that happened to your co-worker and I hope he makes a full recovery, I'm glad it happened to that dumbass bitch.

Why? Because in the very least, she should be charged with reckless driving, endangerment and as many traffic violations that she can be hit with. Then she should be dragged before a judge, costing all kinds of lawyers fees and then be found guilty and go to prison for awhile. And while she's in prison, she can sit there and think all about what she did to her own brother because she was too stupid to wait until she got home to check her myfuckspace page. And she can think about that during the times she's not trying to hide from Big Bertha and her famous broom handle.

Oh, and if Jeremy dies, they can add manslaughter of some kind to the charges. Now, she'll be an outcast from her family and will probably hang herself in her cell.

Again, I'm sorry for Jeremy and I hope he recovers, but his sister can burn in hell with all the other ipod/cellphone-user-while-driving assholes. I hate them worse than techno "music".

 

[nostradamas]

And Nostradamus - I've been hit in a similar situation about a year ago; fortunately I just fell off my bike and suffered no major damage. The driver who hit me just presumed that I was going through this really tight red light. All the best with your recovery mate - real shame about the bike; but the main thing is you're OK.

Thanks mate. I'm OK, but still pretty pissed about it all and how none of this had to happen.
When my lawyer gets done with the insurance company, he's going after the driver/cell addict and his parents. Should be interesting.
I want to look into the eyes of the guy who nearly cut my life short. I want him to see my kids he almost orphaned and face my wife he came very close to widowing.

 

[Tarquin of Tyke]

I'm sorry to hear of this accident.

However, Dave, you said he was thrown from the car. This seems to be consistent with not wearing a seat belt. Am I right in assuming that this was the case?

I hope he pulls through and that he recovers fully or as much as he possilby can.

 

[Headsnap]

Nobody should be checking their bloody Myspace while they're driving, but people wearing seatbelts don't tend to eject from vehicles. The fact both front seat passengers walked away from the accident sort of suggests he would've too if he'd had his belt on :-o

I agree it's a waste; 19 years old, whole life ahead of him, chucked away for the want of pulling some nylon across your chest and putting the little metal thing in the slot. Happens all too often.

 

[Adam]

Two weeks ago, I was violently (50+mph) rear-ended on my motorcycle by a 17 yr old kid who was fishing around on his passenger floorboard for .... you guessed it .... his cell phone.

He didn't even try to stop and (according to the police report) only looked up when he heard the "THUD".

If it wasn't for my helmet, I'd definitely be dead, or worse: "Feed me, wipe me , Killl Me!" Check out the massive damage.

The cops couldn't even find my license plate 'cause it was shoved so far in.
That was a full wrap retro fender on a VTX 1800, btw.

I'm pretty banged up, though, (broken ribs, road rash) but lucky as all hell. Really, really lucky.😱

Something has gotta be done about kids and cell phones.

Glad you're alright, nostradamas. It never ceases to amaze me the crap that people attempt to do behind the wheel. I won't sit here and play the saint, claiming that I've never taken my eye off the road, because I have. Still, there's stuff that's just not important while you're chugging along in your car, y'know? Dropped your phone and want to retrieve it? Pull over, if possible.

I've been rear-ended before myself by a driver not paying attention. Fortunately, I was in my own car so the impact wasn't nearly as great as being on a motorcycle. I was able to walk away just fine, but definitely had some whiplash afterward. Grrrrr. Makes me mad.

 

[tklee88]

Isn't it against the law to be on your cellphone in some states??? I'm guilty of talking while driving, but I don't text and NEVER check the internet while I'm driving. I think it should be a law, I'd be willing to give it up. Too many of these accidents are happening now.