OT sad note

[VU2624]

Some news affecting the campus:

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/update-fatal-crash-victim-was-valparaiso-university-student/article_27f26659-19ae-5f8d-b1b0-6fff47e06de9.html

A Valparaiso University nursing student was killed and three others were injured in a crash early Thursday on southbound Interstate 65 near U.S. 20, police said.

Samantha Sable-Salvador, 20, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, died at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus after the crash at about 6:11 a.m., officials said. Fog may have played a role.

"Valparaiso University lost a valued member of its community, Samantha Salvador, a sophomore nursing student who touched the lives of many. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Samantha's family and friends, and we ask for the public and media to respect their privacy during this time of mourning," said VU spokesperson Nichole Niemi in an email statement.

[VULB#62]

Dang.  What punch to the gut. Prayers to family and the Valpo community.

[bbtds]

Maybe turn lanes like this shouldn't exist at the end of interstate highways.

A 19-year-old woman was driving a green 2001 Honda Civic north on I-65 with three passengers when she tried to turn left on U.S. 20 at the stoplight, but instead drove into the turn lane for a business, police said. The left turn lane merges into a raised concrete median, which the Honda drove over and became airborne.


This google streetview is from 2007/2013 but I doubt much has changed of this turning lane.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5967611,-87.307397,3a,75y,91.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8BAwT-dtzsX0o1C2YYu-dg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5967611,-87.307397,3a,75y,90h,91.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8BAwT-dtzsX0o1C2YYu-dg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5966139,-87.3071713,3a,75y,91.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5wqxZIPhrjDvXpToxmxjrw!2e0!7i3328!8i1664

[FieldGoodie05]

Maybe turn lanes like this shouldn't exist at the end of interstate highways.

A 19-year-old woman was driving a green 2001 Honda Civic north on I-65 with three passengers when she tried to turn left on U.S. 20 at the stoplight, but instead drove into the turn lane for a business, police said. The left turn lane merges into a raised concrete median, which the Honda drove over and became airborne.


This google streetview is from 2007/2013 but I doubt much has changed of this turning lane.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5967611,-87.307397,3a,75y,91.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8BAwT-dtzsX0o1C2YYu-dg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5967611,-87.307397,3a,75y,90h,91.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8BAwT-dtzsX0o1C2YYu-dg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5966139,-87.3071713,3a,75y,91.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5wqxZIPhrjDvXpToxmxjrw!2e0!7i3328!8i1664

Was this a 1 car accident?  I know the earlier post said fog may have been involved.  Just wondering if she lost control after the median and went into the ditch or if another vehicle was involved.

[bbtds]

http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/person-killed-in-crash-on-i-65-at-u-s-20-in-gary/

The four Valpo students hit another car after going airborne due to not being able to see the median or actual turn lane in the fog.

A good lawyer will go after this case but it's probably too early to speculate. This was my first impression after looking at the google streetviews.

[valpolaw]

Sad story.  Prayers for all involved. 

I would suspect there could be some claim against the city for an alleged negligent design of the intersection, lack of signage/lighting, etc. which likely contributed to the incident.