Mica
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That's a real good word!
I know the attorney is a defense attorney, but they aren't supposed to tell STUPID lies! What was gained for his client by that?
Thats because going down hill with a heavy load will definitely burn out your breaks if you are going too fast and simply try to ride out the break while going down hill. Jmo.
And this is why if you have a heavy load. You are always supposed to go down a hill in low gear so you are not forced to ride the break down hill.
And all Class B and Class A drivers should know this before getting their Commercial license. Jmo.
Longer article from the NYT with a few bits of newer info.
"At 1:40 p.m., 15 minutes before the crash, Allison King texted her fiancé.
“She said the brakes were burning and they were coasting,” her mother said."
Death at the Crossroads: A Ragged Limo, an Anxious Driver and 17 Friends
"Why the limousine ended up at that spot — speeding down a mile-long hill, across a busy highway, clipping a parked car and hitting two pedestrians before careening into an overgrown creek bed — is one of many mysteries. The brewery is in the other direction, to the west."
That is exactly what I wondered, why the driver was not in a lower gear. However, there could have easily been a trifecta of circumstances; Brake failure, transmission malfunction, and driver error, could all factor in.
If there was a brake / transmission failure, it may be difficult to determine the cause. For example, was the cause poor maintenance that was below safety standards, or was the cause due to over load?
The Ford Excursion is designed for 8-9 passengers. The limousine had 18, plus the additional weight from the super stretch modification. I wonder if this excess weight exceeded the design limitations and could cause the brakes to burn out fast under some conditions?
As for why the driver was not in low gear, that is especially puzzling as he had experience as an 18 wheeler driver. Thus, he was very familiar with using different gearing ratios when needed, the possibility of burned out brakes and what to do.
Good point.Toxicology results of the driver may be a factor as well. Ironic, that this party hired a vehicle to be safer. Sad.
Good point.
That could explain the burning brakes, but an experienced 18 wheeler driver not going into low gear etc. In the end, the reasons for the tragedy may be a "perfect storm" of factors: poor maintenance, inadequate signage at a dangerous intersection, permitted over load of design, driver error, and possibly a uhmm...."less than fully focused" driver.
Snip
“She said the brakes were burning and they were coasting,” her mother said.
If there was a brake / transmission failure, it may be difficult to determine the cause. For example, was the cause poor maintenance that was below safety standards, or was the cause due to over load?
The Ford Excursion is designed for 8-9 passengers. The limousine had 18, plus the additional weight from the super stretch modification. I wonder if this excess weight exceeded the design limitations and could cause the brakes to burn out fast under some conditions?
As for why the driver was not in low gear, that is especially puzzling as he had experience as an 18 wheeler driver. Thus, he was very familiar with using different gearing ratios when needed, the possibility of burned out brakes and what to do.
Because they knew there was an issue, there might be a likelihood that somebody was filming or recording at the time of the accident?
Though a rocket scientist is not needed, it is far more complicated than your post states.Considering the vehicle was out of compliance, it doesn’t seem it would be too hard to put 2 and 2 together as to why there was a braking problem. A rocket scientist is not needed here.
Definitely, weight is a factor in driving on steep grades. We don't know the weight capacity of the vehicle, but if it is a rebuilt vehicle, often the engine and other parts are not upgraded. I am actually surprised that we don't hear about more of these types of accidents. Maybe this one was more publicized due to the large number of people, and significant that four sisters were killed at once.
does anyone know roughly how far away there destination was from where they all generally lived.
It is so bizarre to me that a limo company would allow a limo to sound like a monster truck - how on earth that could not result in people just flat out not using them is befuddling,
Just in passing it around the area - (there is nothing funny here) but visualize sitting at lite and a limo pulls up aside that sounds like a monster truck is just absurd.
Everyone all dressed up -- perfumes and colognes - climbing in a a limo that smells like whatever - it is all horrid.
I suppose if a group on its way to a rodeo or something rented it it might make some sense!
jeezzzzz