Nasty Route 2 crash

http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm20371_20040622.htm

We came back from there Sunday and had a few close calls that day. Most of them due to morons trying to pass 3 trucks at one time.

That's why I don't drive it any more. Never had any problems or close calls, but at least once a year, something like this happens and its not worth it when it takes about the same amount of time to take the turn pike where you don't have to face oncoming traffic.

John
DEE-TROIT BAS-KET-BALL

Yep...after my car was totalled on Rte. 2 you can guarantee I'm done with this road. My whole family's condolences go out to them, we know how dangerous that road can be! It almost took my life!

Actually, from reading the story, it sounds like the crash happened around where the freeway portion of 2 starts. In other words, it could have just as easily happened on the turnpike.

Not to say the road isn't dangerous, because it really is. I've really had second thoughts about driving route 2.

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/3445874/detail.html There is one more place you can look.

From this article, it sounds like it was in the two lane area - about 11 miles west of the end of the highway. The accident is tragically similar to one from 1997.

Edit - the article does mention "two-lane highway."

*** Edited 6/22/2004 4:37:00 PM UTC by Walt***

I thought it said two lane, and the radio report I heard about it mentioned head on, but noone has said if the car veered or the truck. Also, this happened at 11ish last night and last I heard at around 9 this morning, the road was still closed for the investigation.

Walt-is the 97 one the one where a bus full of kids from Flint got hit by a semi?

John
DEE-TROIT BAS-KET-BALL

The article that Walt posted has a lot more details than the free press article... I stand corrected.

It was a van full of kids headed to Cedar Point. Yes, a semi was involved there as well. They were from Michigan, but I don't remember the city.

I heard this on the news this afternoon. Very tragic.

This is very sad indeed. I've just started taking Rt. 2 as of this year, and I'm still not too comfortable with it. I can handle myself just fine on that road, but I don't trust the other people driving on it, especially the semis. In my opinion, the semis have no business being on that road, or at least the non-freeway portion of it. The trucks should stick to the Turnpike, but I know that'll never happen.

I share Ralph's concerns about tractor-trailers on two-lane roads such as that portion of Route 2.

However, from the latest account I read, it sounds like the semi involved never went left of center until an SUV heading toward it went left of center and struck the truck. The Blade's account in Wednesday edition indicates that the first of three vehicles heading west went across the line, hit the semi, and that resulted in the tragic chain reaction. The last of the three vehicles heading west contained those killed, or in the case of a 13-year-old girl, critically injured.

I enjoy driving Route 2 every now and then, especially when I'm heading to the Point from downtown Toledo as opposed to leaving from home in Perrysburg. But I'm never crazy about driving a two-lane road at night if I can avoid it.

This is such a horribly sad incident. Most of those killed were connected with one family. However, one of the victims was a friend who was along for the trip. And as a parent, that's one of the worst nightmares you can have: sending your child on a trip with others and then having a tragedy like this occur. Something like this makes you want to cherish all the moments you have with those you love.

Actually, the last car was the SUV containg the 6 victims that were killed, and the 13 year old that's in critical condition was also in that vehicle. The passengers in the two other vehicles were not seriously injured, and the Semi truck driver was not seriously hurt.

The Blazer was in front, went left of center and hit the semi. The girl that was driving behind him was saying that he had been swirving for quite some time. He has been in jail before for drug possesion, so my guess is that he was intoxocated.

Last night, one of the female victims' (one who wasn't seriously injured) boyfriend went in to her house, shot her dad in the stomach, and shot himself in the head.

This was on the news this morning, and last they heard was that the boyfriend was braindead, and I didn't catch how her father was doing.

This is turning in to a huge mess.

Scares the crap out of me. We live in Toledo, and go to Cedar Point every Sunday via Rt. 2, there and back. Maybe we should think about taking the turnpike!

Anyone happen to know the fatalities per vehicle mile on Rt2 compared to the turnpike? I'm rethinking which path I take, and am wondering if it makes that much of a difference.

http://www.freep.com/news/driving/helms23_20040623.htm

That gives some info regarding relative safeness. I would check the odot website to see what they say.

essentially, that article says that "Statistics show that a four-lane divided highway is 75 percent safer than a two-lane highway in rural areas," says Joe Rutherford, the northwestern Ohio spokesman for the state Department of Transportation. "A four-lane divided highway eliminates almost all potential head-on collisions."

Personally, I think the extra 2 bucks or whatever from Toledo to 4 on the turnpike is worth it to make it across in one piece. Granted you don't see the nuclear reactor (always thought that was cool when I was younger) but you also get better bathroom stops and less risk on the turnpike.

John

Thanks John. I had just found that article myself. Very informative.

Here is a link to the shooting story:

http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=1962268

Working and commuting to CP from the west side of MI...id take 23 down to 280 to 2. I've driven 2 in every condition, night and day...i liked it better in bad weather, the people and the trucks slowed way down, were more careful, but ive been forced to swerve over after freakin semi's crossed the line in clear, dry conditions. That road is a death trap, I don't get why they don't put down the money and make it a 4 lane highway all the way. I understand theres houses and all. Maybe they should just put the semis somewhere else. (wishful thinking)

Also, its not just the trucks, WAY too many drunk drivers (usually teenagers) coming out of CP at night, sadly. *** Edited 6/23/2004 8:37:15 PM UTC by CaptainNate***

I am heading to the Point Sunday--from the West side of Michigan. Just what route have you found to be the best, CaptainNate? I have taken both rt2 and the turnpike. Which exit is best off the turnpike?

MrScott

I take exit 110 from the turnpike and go up rt 4.