Found Deceased Dominican Republic - Orlando Moore & Portia Ravenelle, from NY on vacation, April 2019

[CoverMeCagney]

Looking at that, if they were u-turning and went wide, I would almost think the vehicle would have rolled in that case...

Just talking out loud/just thoughts.

Yes they could have rolled once they hit the grass, I can't tell how steep it is. Or another vehicle might have clipped them and they spun out.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

This map shows the direction they were going in (IMO) with the gap in the barrier dead centre. Sneaked a u-turn through the gap but somehow went straight over the road and into the sea.

Google Maps

 

[Vern]

Here's another article on the vehicle's recovery. I kind of get the impression from this that while the car was being lifted out it became unhooked and fell back in having to be re-connected the second time, then successful.

Vehicle believed to be missing couple’s removed from sea.

 

[Songbird1973]

Here's another article on the vehicle's recovery. I kind of get the impression from this that while the car was being lifted out it became unhooked and fell back in having to be re-connected the second time, then successful.

Vehicle believed to be missing couple’s removed from sea.

Yes, video has been posted here of the car coming loose from the cable and crashing into the water again.

 

[bradfordsleuth]

Here's another article on the vehicle's recovery. I kind of get the impression from this that while the car was being lifted out it became unhooked and fell back in having to be re-connected the second time, then successful.

Vehicle believed to be missing couple’s removed from sea.

I linked this earlier in the thread. Here is the video of the cable snapping.
SEE IT: Dominican divers find car of doomed vacationing New York couple in waters off steep cliff

 

[ilovechili]

This map shows the direction they were going in (IMO) with the gap in the barrier dead centre. Sneaked a u-turn through the gap but somehow went straight over the road and into the sea.

Google Maps

So you are thinking they went straight and did not go wide on the U-turn? I wonder how many feet that little area is and if their rear end or front nose was sticking out if they did not move and move fast...

Of course, that supposes that they did go the wrong way which I am not convinced of yet. At this point, they should long since know they missed their flight one would think...

Yet I will admit for this area if they needed to turn around, it does fit. It actually makes some sense unlike so many things in this case have not and this did not either in the beginning.

Just today there was a news report saying he was in the car for goodness sakes.

I am beginning to suspect this is not translation and the news does this on purpose. If one decides okay, that's what happened they quit looking for articles and move on. However, if one is going, wth, they said this and now are saying that, one is going to maintain interest and search the sites and watch the news... Just sayin... The reporting in this matter has been atrocious...

Edited to Fix Typo

 

[Vern]

Exactly. Did you see my post a few up, there is a gap in the central barrier (to do a sneaky u-turn) bang opposite where they went over the cliff.

Just saw it; thank you!

 

[Dee10]

Video with map of suspect route taken and accident

Alcohol, Car Speed Factors in Couple's Caribbean Death: Cops


Police in the Dominican Republic recover used car by missing tourist couple | tellerreport.com

The police now believe that an accident caused them to get off the highway and into the sea. The authorities said there was no evidence of violent actions.

The case has not been closed, and Durán Mejía said there are still many unanswered questions about the circumstances of the accident.

 

[human]

Tourists come and go, They are important for the dollars spent but I doubt if much interest past that.

Unless someone posts on a travel site, you get little real information about a place I feel.

For instance, there is an airbnb that I would not stay in here. It is very clean but it is in an ugly location with a horrible pot filled road with pit bulls chained on either side of the road. Most people have to walk or ride a bike.

The house is filled with mosquitos and it is impossible to sit outside. Yet, I have to see one negative review or one that addresses these issues.

So even from people who have been somewhere, one does not get accurate information.

Oh, and the police. Forget it. Too much paperwork and the locals know who the culprit is but they are ratting him off. It is probably a relative. Fortunately here the crimes so far are only petty theft

 

[CoverMeCagney]

So you are thinking they went straight and did not go wide on the U-turn? I wonder how many feet that little area is and if their rear end or front nose was sticking out if they did not move and move fast...

Of course, that supposes that they did go the wrong way which I am not convinced of yet. At this point, they should long since know they missed their flight one would think...

Yet I will admit for this area if they needed to turn around, it does fit. It actually makes some sense unlike so many things in this case have not and this did not either in the beginning.

Just today there was a news report saying he was in the car for goodness sakes.

I am beginning to suspect this is not translation and the news does this on purpose. If one decides okay, that's what happened they quit looking for articles and move on. However, if one is going, wth, they said this and now are saying that, one is going to maintain interest and search the sites and watch the news... Just sayin... The reporting in this matter has been atrocious...

Edited to Fix Typo

I don't know, I just feel like that gap in the barrier is such a coincidence it could well be relevant. As far as I can see it would be the first opportunity to get onto the other side of the highway.

I am confused about where the missing time went, though. Even if they left at 10pm they should've got to the airport by 12:30ish (which would still be pushing it), yet at 1:41 at the toll booth they were still a few miles away from the airport and their flight should have gone.

It would be interesting to know if the flight was delayed that night and whether Portia was trying to call the airport. Check in usually closes, what, 40-60 minutes before a flight? So they'd have known an hour previously that they weren't going to make it.

 

[?mysterian?]

I don't know, I just feel like that gap in the barrier is such a coincidence it could well be relevant. As far as I can see it would be the first opportunity to get onto the other side of the highway.

I am confused about where the missing time went, though. Even if they left at 10pm they should've got to the airport by 12:30ish (which would still be pushing it), yet at 1:41 at the toll booth they were still a few miles away from the airport and their flight should have gone.

It would be interesting to know if the flight was delayed that night and whether Portia was trying to call the airport. Check in usually closes, what, 40-60 minutes before a flight? So they'd have known an hour previously that they weren't going to make it.

I think if we knew when they checked out from the hotel that would help narrow down the timeline. To my knowledge, that hasn't been reported. We know the resort has video capability, based on the earlier picture of their vehicle that was released, and incorrectly labeled as a toll plaza photo.

 

[ilovechili]

I don't know, I just feel like that gap in the barrier is such a coincidence it could well be relevant. As far as I can see it would be the first opportunity to get onto the other side of the highway.

I am confused about where the missing time went, though. Even if they left at 10pm they should've got to the airport by 12:30ish (which would still be pushing it), yet at 1:41 at the toll booth they were still a few miles away from the airport and their flight should have gone.

It would be interesting to know if the flight was delayed that night and whether Portia was trying to call the airport. Check in usually closes, what, 40-60 minutes before a flight? So they'd have known an hour previously that they weren't going to make it.

Oh so very much the same questions I have. The missing time, and even though new reports come every day with allegedly more information (not one bit confirmed), they still cannot tell us when they checked out? The very first article I ever read in this case said they did not check out. Later, another said they did. Just one of many more reasons there are questions, this has went on from the very start. Now this info has been held so long it is going to be difficult to believe if it does come out. I am sure any checkout papers have not floated up.

If it were me, I would have attempted to call both the airline and possibly the car rental place if I was running late. I would even like to know just how many travelers were on a flight to Newark (could be a connecting or layover flight though) at that hour in the morning... In late March.

If there was no chance the flight had not departed, they had absolutely no reason to hurry at the time of the crash, to still want to get to a safe place like a motel or airport, for sure, but to hurry for a flight they could no longer make? No.

imo.

 

[bradfordsleuth]

I don't know, I just feel like that gap in the barrier is such a coincidence it could well be relevant. As far as I can see it would be the first opportunity to get onto the other side of the highway.

I am confused about where the missing time went, though. Even if they left at 10pm they should've got to the airport by 12:30ish (which would still be pushing it), yet at 1:41 at the toll booth they were still a few miles away from the airport and their flight should have gone.

It would be interesting to know if the flight was delayed that night and whether Portia was trying to call the airport. Check in usually closes, what, 40-60 minutes before a flight? So they'd have known an hour previously that they weren't going to make it.

I like this theory about the gap in the barrier. It makes sense that they used it to try and turn around.

Portias's phone records will show if she tried to make any calls. LE has likely requested copies.

 

[bradfordsleuth]

I think if we knew when they checked out from the hotel that would help narrow down the timeline. To my knowledge, that hasn't been reported. We know the resort has video capability, based on the earlier picture of their vehicle that was released, and incorrectly labeled as a toll plaza photo.

Right! This should be easy to verify but still radio silence on it.

At one point early on, it was reported that they never checked out...(which I didn't believe.)

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Oh so very much the same questions I have. The missing time, and even though new reports come every day with allegedly more information (not one bit confirmed), they still cannot tell us when they checked out? The very first article I ever read in this case said they did not check out. Later, another said they did. Just one of many more reasons there are questions, this has went on from the very start. Now this info has been held so long it is going to be difficult to believe if it does come out. I am sure any checkout papers have not floated up.

If it were me, I would have attempted to call both the airline and possibly the car rental place if I was running late. I would even like to know just how many travelers were on a flight to Newark (could be a connecting or layover flight though) at that hour in the morning... In late March.

If there was no chance the flight had not departed, they had absolutely no reason to hurry at the time of the crash, to still want to get to a safe place like a motel or airport, for sure, but to hurry for a flight they could no longer make? No.

imo.

There is a 1:30am flight to NY every night from that airport so there must be enough demand. I've looked on FlightRadar but can only go back a week, the most delayed flight being 1:57. Can anyone see further back than that on another site, for 27th? If that flight was running late, and they knew that, they may well have been going hell for leather (and taking risks) to make it.

But still.... being at Marbella toll booth at 1:41am suggests they either left the hotel after 11pm, or there was a traffic delay (seems unlikely at that time of night), or they got horribly lost earlier in the journey, or they had to keep stopping for another reason.

 

[bradfordsleuth]

There is a 1:30am flight to NY every night from that airport so there must be enough demand. I've looked on FlightRadar but can only go back a week or two. Can anyone see further back than that on another site, for 27th? If that flight was running late, and they knew that, they may well have been going hell for leather (and taking risks) to make it.

But still.... being at Marbella toll booth at 1:41am suggests they either left the hotel after 11pm, or there was a traffic delay (seems unlikely at that time of night), or they got horribly lost earlier in the journey, or they had to keep stopping for another reason.

Maybe one of them was suffering from montezumas's revenge and they had to stop at a bathroom several times?

I have seen a friend of mine go sprinting across a pool area to make it to the bathroom on time due to this very uncomfortable condition.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Maybe one of them was suffering from montezumas's revenge and they had to stop at a bathroom several times?

I have seen a friend of mine go sprinting across a pool area to make it to the bathroom on time due to this very uncomfortable condition.

Yes, it could be something like that, or one of them (preferably the non driver!) being hideously drunk and stopping to be sick. We do really need to know what time they set off.

I've checked Spirit Air and their check in closes one hour before departure. So 12:30. O&P knew they weren't gonna make it way before then.

Dom Rep is on the same time zone as New York so that rules out them having the wrong time on their phones/watches.

 

[Vern]

There is a 1:30am flight to NY every night from that airport so there must be enough demand. I've looked on FlightRadar but can only go back a week, the most delayed flight being 1:57. Can anyone see further back than that on another site, for 27th? If that flight was running late, and they knew that, they may well have been going hell for leather (and taking risks) to make it.

But still.... being at Marbella toll booth at 1:41am suggests they either left the hotel after 11pm, or there was a traffic delay (seems unlikely at that time of night), or they got horribly lost earlier in the journey, or they had to keep stopping for another reason.

I think much, much earlier in the thread someone pulled up the flight details and it was a 0130hrs departure on the 27th that was showing.

Many of the comments on the articles linked throughout are interesting from the locals talking about how even familiar locals try to avoid driving the highway running North/South at night as it is unlit, narrow, turny, and jungle the whole way through. I'm not certain they'd have been even doing the speed limit through there based upon comments from locals … thinking they might have been driving it slower, then attempted to pick up the pace once they hit the 'more modern' highway running east/west.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

A bit more digging into flights from DR-NY.
There are 2 other overnight flights, but with JetBlue to JFK, 2:23am and 4:49am
Wonder if they were trying to make one of those instead?

 

[Vern]

Yes, it could be something like that, or one of them (preferably the non driver!) being hideously drunk and stopping to be sick. We do really need to know what time they set off.

I've checked Sprit Air and their check in closes one hour before departure. So 12:30. O&P knew they weren't gonna make it way before then.

Dom Rep is on the same time zone as New York so that rules out them having the wrong time on their phones/watches.

I absolutely agree that they knew they weren't going to make it. I do think that is still where they were heading to though -no hotel to head back to, so might as well stay on track for the airport and see when they could next get a flight out.

This is just tragic all the way around.