TN man accused of popping 400-yard wheelie

That's, uh, that's sort of a lot, right?

Motorist scolded kiddo, got into Turnpike crash

From Bob Cronkleton:

A 29-year-old Lawrence woman suffered minor injuries when she crashed her car while scolding her daughter.

Emily Frances Smith was eastbound on the Kansas Turnpike near Lawrence about 7:40 p.m. Thursday when she turned around to scold her daughter. In the process, Smith pulled the steering wheel to the left, according to a crash report.

... Smith was taken to a hospital. Her daughter was uninjured, according to the report.

Not-guilty verdict in crash that killed KC women

From The AP:

The jury found George Albright Jr., 63, of Clarksville, Tenn., not guilty of four counts of second-degree involuntary manslaughter.

Beverly Garrett, 57, Beulah Hunter, 94, Elois Jeans, 81, and Anita Gibbs, 55, died in the June 1, 2006, crash. The women were in the same car, headed to a family member’s wedding anniversary in Kankakee, Ill., when the wreck occurred on Interstate 70 about 30 miles east of Columbia.

Not-guilty verdict in fatal bicycle wreck

Kevin Hoffmann describes the scene as William K. Johnson was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of Larry Gaunt and his granddaughter, Sierra. KSHB has reaction from Larry's son and Sierra's dad.

UPDATED: We've also got a statement from the Johnson County Bike Club's president, Maggi Hacker:

"The Johnson County Bike Club looks forward to the day when the laws are changed to make it a crime for a motorist to strike down cyclists or pedestrians who are obeying the law and who are in plain view, regardless of whether or not the driver was speeding.  We also extend our sympathy to the Gaunt family, because the evidence in this case showed that there was no excuse for running down those two cyclists."

Hat Tip: Many thanks, Greg!

Punk, age 11, is feeling lucky

Lovely story here about a Kentucky boy who uses a toy radar gun, Hot Wheels brand, to trick motorists to slow down when passing through his hood.

Motorist on trial for local bicyclists' deaths

Kevin Hoffmann has a report on the trial of William K. Johnson, a motorist who struck and killed two bicyclists -- Larry Gaunt and his 14-year-old granddaughter, Sierra. Prosecutors accuse Johnson of reckless driving, but his defense attorneys argue that it was an accident, nothing more.

The prosecution has rested. The defense takes its turn today.

File Photo of a memorial dedicated to Larry Gaunt and his granddaughter.

MO continues to see a big drop in highway deaths

468: the number of fatalities recorded by the Missouri Highway Patrol so far this year.
517: the number of fatalities at the same time last year.

Cop's cruiser gets totaled 29 minutes into his first day on the job

To be fair, it really wasn't his fault.

"Going bye-bye" means different things to different people

If you're a mom and your 3-year-old says he's going "bye-bye," you might think he's going outside to play.

Of course, he could be planning to take your SUV for a test drive.

KY Amish don't want to display lights, "slow-moving" signs on their buggies

The men say the signs and lights are "too worldly" and, thus, are against their religion. The ACLU is going to serve as defense counsel in the case.

KSHB: No red-light cameras (for now) in Gladstone

The company behind the cameras is backing out, saying Gladstone doesn't fit their business plan, KSHB reports. They only had one camera installed and were hoping to bring a handful of others online by next month.

Now? Gladstone says it'll try to do business with the contractor that's installing KCMO's red-light cameras, KSHB notes. It'll be early 2009 before the system gets up and running, though ...

OK girl dies saving friend from hit-and-run driver

Snip:

"I keep waking up and thinking she's coming home," Taylor said. "I almost feel like I'm reliving it over and over."

Priceless

A radar gun will cost anywhere from $600 to $1,500. But an Arizona man was able to beat the technology thanks to a $1.20 black marker, which he used to change the numbers on license plate. Loved this part:

When Butera looked at the photo and saw the man making an obscene gesture at the camera he thought, "[we] need to do some more investigating."

We all mourn differently, I guess ...

After a young woman died in a car crash involving a train, her family allegedly gathered at the railroad tracks and spent the evening throwing rocks at trains ...

Hat Tip: Many thanks, You're A Mean Drunk R2D2!

Oak Grove wants to ban "pocket rockets"

The, uh, vehicles, in case you were wondering.

First, they came for the smokers. Then the pocket-rockets. I suppose it's a matter of time before The Man tries to confiscate my Swiss Cake Rolls and RC Cola.

Hat Tip: Many thanks to the Mighty FanDanGo!

MO troopers run special enforcement on commercial drivers

In late June, the patrol ran special enforcement on commercial drivers on U.S. 71 in Cass County, I-70 in Jackson County and I-35 in Clay. From the Missouri Highway Patrol:

On June 24, 2008, four officers focused their attention on U.S. Highway 71 in Cass County. As a result of the eight-hour enforcement operation, a total of 13 traffic citations, one misdemeanor warrant arrest, and 22 warnings were issued.

On June 26, 2008, four officers focused their attention on Interstate 35 in Clay County. As a result of the eight-hour enforcement operation, officers investigated one traffic crash and issued a total of 14 traffic citations and 13 warnings.

On June 30, 2008, four officers focused their attention on Interstate 70 in Jackson County. As a result of the eight-hour enforcement operation, a total of 34 traffic citations and 34 warnings were issued.

Dear Hypermilers: It's not that damn cute anymore

Hey, we all know that gasoline costs a lot of money. And it can be very tempting to increase your mileage by, I don't know, "coasting with (your) engines off, drafting behind big rigs and driving much slower than the speed limit." (Thanks, AP.) But you're putting yourself and your fellow drivers at risk.

"The goals of hypermiling are positive, such as eliminating aggressive driving and saving energy," Marshall L. Doney, AAA Automotive vice president, told the Idaho Statesman. "Unfortunately, some motorists have taken their desire to improve fuel economy to extremes with techniques that put themselves, as well as their fellow motorists, in danger."

Want to beat the next speed trap?

The KC Guy points out this handy link -- a roundup of regular speed traps in KCMO.

10 people died on MO roads over Fourth holiday

The patrol worked nine of those fatalities, Platte County worked one. The counting period ran from 6 p.m. Thursday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday. For a complete breakdown, click here. (Of the patrol's case, four of the dead were NOT wearing belts. One was a motorcyclist, and another was a "hood surfer." The three others WERE wearing belts, but died in a head-on collision.)

MO man killed while "hood surfing"

Story is from Nevada. The victim was 27.

While you were sleeping

A nasty SUV-vs.-semi wreck killed one person in Wyandotte County.

Make that two. This is really sad: The victims were a couple from Omaha, traveling with their two small children. The children, an infant and an 8-year-old, were rushed to Children's Mercy, but we don't know how badly they were hurt.

Two women died in an early-morning wreck at U.S. 71 and Blue River Road. A third sustained life-threatening injuries.

A man was found shot to death in Independence.

| Sara Shepherd

"It's a very odd deal"

In Greene County, near Springfield, authorities are investigating after a 3-year-old girl managed to open the door of Mom's moving car and hop out -- without Mom noticing. Mom says the car stereo was blasting because Kiddo is autistic and loud music calms her.

Kiddo is OK, though scraped up some. Authorities do NOT suspect child abuse, though they do continue to investigate.

Best new excuse for speeding

Two words: Circumcision emergency. That's how a Canadian rabbi got out of his speeding ticket.

Hat Tip: Many thanks, QuizLaw!

MD trooper pulls over driver for going too slow

He was clocked going 50 mph on the interstate, to be exact. Sounds like he was one of those "hypermilers" ...

"He asked, 'Mr. Conrad why are you driving 50 miles an hour back there on I-95?' I said, 'I'm saving gas?' He said, 'Saving gas?' I said, 'Yeah,' and looked at my readout and said, 'I'm getting 69 miles to the gallon right now.'"

OP boy, 3, dies after being struck by hit-and-run driver

From OP Police: The 3-year-old child struck by a hit-and-run driver in the 13900 block of Newton passed away early this morning, June 27, 2008. The child’s name is Ian Jeon, W/M, 3 years old. He and his parents are residents of Overland Park. A suspect in the accident was taken into custody and charges are pending. 

Did this woman deserve to be ticketed?

KMBC interviews a woman who says she was ticketed for swerving, though she says she was only trying to avoid the potholes on the road.

Hit-and-run driver injures 4-year-old in OP

From OP Police: VEHICLE WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH INJURY HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED AT 3:07 PM., 6-26-08

OVERLAND PARK POLICE ARE ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING A WHITE TOYOTA RAV 4 SUV THAT WAS INVOLVED IN AN INJURY ACCIDEDNT AT 139 TH STREET AND NEWTON IN PARKING LOT PLAZA GARDENS TOWNHOMES AND APARTMENTS.  A 4 YEAR OLD MALE CHILD WAS STRUCK. THE CHILD IS BEING LIFE-FLIGHTED FROM THE SCENE.

THIS CAR WAS LAST SEEN WESTBOUND ON W 139TH STREET NO DESCRIPTION ON OCCUPANT OR OCCUPANTS OF THE RAV-4 AT THIS TIME.

Surveillance cameras catch AZ motorist speeding 22 times in 45 days

With a top speed of 92 mph at one point. The police eventually went to her house to arrest her ... as opposed to, you know, catching her on the road and stopping her from endangering other people.

Hat Tip: Many thanks, eephus!

I'm wondering ...

... if Americans are driving fewer miles because of gasoline prices, are we going to see fewer fatalities this year? Yesterday afternoon, the Missouri Highway Patrol said 414 people had died on Missouri roads -- compared to 445 at the same time last year. And last year was a record-setting low for highway deaths in the Show-Me State.

(Mike Right, AAA Missouri's vp for public affairs, notes that more Missourians are driving safer cars, and fewer wrecks involve alcohol.)

I checked with KCPD's traffic investigation unit, though, and they haven't noticed anything like that. In fact, Kansas City's number of fatal wrecks this year is 30 -- compared to 27 at the same time last year. (The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was useless.)

Laid-off policeman chases down driver who killed girl, 6

Story is from Pontiac, Mich. Way to be, Kyle Hayes. Here's hoping you're back in uniform soon.

KSHB: MO Highway Patrol is sitting more, driving around less

As a way to save fuel. Troopers instead park their cars in prominent locations to look for traffic offenders.

There is only so much a Volvo can do

UK police arrested a man who reportedly crammed 13 people into his car, and none of them wore seatbelts. (Probably helped that nine passengers were children.)

Hat Tip: Many thanks, goshel!

Lemmiwinks, No!

From KSL TV: "Teen blames pet gerbil for 3-car accident"

Hat Tip: Many thanks to You're A Mean Drunk R2D2, both for the link and the excellent headline ...

Photo of a gerbil from Wikimedia Commons -- many thanks!

Watch out for cars with bumper stickers!

A new study shows that drivers who put bumper stickers and decals on their cars tend to be more aggressive and tend to have road rage more than others. The stickers are a clue that such motorists tend to be territorial about their vehicles.

Instant Karma

Texas woman hops out of car to take picture of three-car wreck ... and is immediately struck and killed.

Bicycling sounds like such a relaxing hobby ...

John Bondon, the former JaCo Sports Authority chairman, is facing a misdemeanor charge of nonaggravated assault after he allegedly chased down a couple of bicyclists recently and threatened them with a sap -- something that Bondon's attorney hotly denies.

Mike Hendricks has a column about the case here. Tony's Kansas City weighs in here, too, against the bicycling community:

This isn't a group that wants to make Kansas City a safer or better place for pedestrians and cyclists . . . It's a political action committee for the interests of a small cadre of well connected hobbyists who have blood on their hands for all of the misinformation they spread about the rights of cyclists on Kansas City streets which ultimately causes a deluded sense of confidence against far bigger cars on the road in anyone ignorant enough to believe their propaganda.

But I think the best part is when he compares KC bicyclists to Al Sharpton ...

MO Highway Patrol is trying out motorcycles

Eight of them, Harleys, and it's still a pilot project at this point. The patrol is going to use them to do enforcement in congested areas or spots where road work has caused backups -- places, basically, where it might be harder for a cruiser to get to quickly.

Motorcycle deaths climb after PA abolishes helmet law

Huh, it's almost like the helmets were saving lives or something ...

He shouldn't have even been on the road

The man who allegedly hit a 5-year-old girl, leaving her in critical condition, was driving on a suspended license, state records show.

Shawnee releases Click It or Ticket totals

From Shawnee PD: During the Click It or Ticket Campaign (May 19 through June 2) just completed, the Shawnee Police Department conducted overtime saturation patrols to aggressively enforce Kansas occupant protection, impaired driving, and other traffic laws.  During the campaign, officers wrote 160 safety belt citations, 13 child restraint citations, 19 speeding citations, and 119 other citations.

KCPD releases Click It or Ticket results

From KCPD: The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department participated in the national Click It or Ticket mobilization conducted May 19th through June 1st.  During the enforcement effort, officers issued 433 traffic tickets including: 105 safety belt tickets, 287 speeding tickets and 41 tickets for other violations.

"Brain freeze" caused Salina man to drive into house's front steps, police report

Specifically, a "flavored, frozen drink" from Sonic is responsible, the driver says ...

WyCo Sheriff releases Click It Or Ticket numbers

From the WyCo Sheriff: During the time period of May 19, 2008 through  June 6, 2008 the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department participated in the nationwide program of “Click-It or Ticket,” the emphasis of which was to concentrate on the enforcement of Seatbelt and Child Restraint violations.

During that concentrated enforcement period the department also issued citations for several other violations for a total of 95 citations:  5 Child restraints violations, 5 Seatbelt violations, 9 Driver’s License violations, 49 Speeding Violations, 12 No Insurance violations, 3 Improper Registrations violations and 12 other assorted violations.

Chicago cops go undercover, posing as ... pedestrians?

Yep. Chicago PD is assigning some of its officers to go undercover as pedestrians, to make sure that motorists give the right of way to those on foot. Snip from the Trib:

In the stings, a plainclothes officer will cross the street as a vehicle approaches from 140 feet away, officials said. That provides adequate stopping distance based on the 30 m.p.h. speed limit on most streets, officials said.

An offending driver will be pulled over by a police officer positioned farther down the street if the motorist doesn't yield to the pedestrian.

I hope it saves lives. Because otherwise, it sounds like a waste of time, both for the police and the motorists.

Olathe totals from Click It or Ticket campaign

From Benita Williams:

Arrests numbers from the recent Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign continue to roll in.

Olathe police reported today that officers stopped 513 vehicles for traffic violations. They wrote 209 citations for safety belt violations and 20 for child restraint violations. They also made a drunken driving arrest, wrote 350 speeding tickets and issued 287 tickets for other violations. Earlier this week Overland Park reported its Click It or Ticket statistics.

"Nobody did nothing"

It was bad enough when a motorist hit a 78-year-old man in Hartford and then took off, leaving him to lie in the street. But when none of the other cars or pedestrians stopped either?

Dennis Robertson

Robertson, who was the Edwardsville police chief back in the 1980s and early 90s, died this weekend in a crash in KCK. (It was Sunday afternoon near Kansas and Kaw Drive.) As Sara notes ...

In 1987, the department busted one of the largest drug rings in the metropolitan area. That bust led to numerous other arrests, including members of a Cuban drug ring operating in Kansas City and Kansas City, Kan.

The most disturbing picture you'll see today

An American driver -- reportedly drunk and asleep -- crashed into a pack of bicyclists in Matamoros this weekend, killing one and injuring more than a dozen.

Hat Tip: Many thanks, Chuck

(AP Photo/Jose Fidelino Vera Hernandez)

Overland Park's Click It or Ticket results

From OP Police: The Overland Park, Kansas Police Department conducted a Memorial Day – Click it or Ticket - S.T.E.P. Campaign from May 19, 2008 through June 1, 2008.  The campaign was conducted with the principle focus on seat belt violations.  Officers also looked for child passenger seat violations, speeding violations, bicyclist violations, pedestrian violations, DUI violations, and reduce alcohol related auto accidents.

Please review the statistical results:

248.5-   Hours worked
591   - Vehicles stopped
277   -    Speeding violations
264   - Seat belts (18+)
11     - Safety Belts (14-17)
2       - Safety Belts (8-13)
3       - Booster Seats (4-7)
1       - Child Seats (0-3)
83     - Hazardous Moving
183   - Other Violations
7       -   Warrant Arrests
1       -   TOC Arrest
2       -   Other Arrest

Moral of the story: Buckle up

Another local blogger, RDM, has a post here about the importance of wearing safety belts.

Second person dies after NYC crane collapse

The New York Times has total coverage.

| Sara Shepherd

Moral of the story: Don't wait up

A Minneapolis man was waiting up for his daughter to get home from a concert when he fell asleep -- but was awakened when an SUV, fleeing police, rammed through the front of his house about 4 in the morning. The vehicle stopped about 12 feet from him.

Oh, and his daughter? She'd gotten home hours before, but went to bed without waking her dad.

Riverside's Click It Or Ticket totals

From Riverside PD:

The Riverside Department of Public Safety participated in the national “Click It or Ticket” mobilization conducted May 19 through May 28.

During the enforcement effort, police officers issued a total of 96 uniform traffic citations including 25 seat belt tickets, 54 speeding tickets, 2 stop sign tickets, 2 hazardous and 13 non-hazardous moving violation tickets.  One misdemeanor arrest was made as a result of the crackdown.

10 people die on MO roads over Memorial Day weekend

Which is a drop, compared to the 15 fatalities from last year. Kansas City accounted for two of the deaths, plus a third on I-35 in Clay County.

Pedestrian hit not once, but twice in Columbia

How did he get hit the second time?

Boerner was struck a second time — this time in the lower leg — when he crawled into the street to alert other drivers so they could help him.

Sort of like crawling back into the burning house because that's where the firefighter would look first ...

Yet another Floridian dies imitating Granny from "The Beverly Hillbillies"

A Florida man was sitting in a plastic patio chair in the bed of a pickup, which was being driven by his mom, when he fell out and died Monday, authorities said.

Hat Tip: Many thanks, JUNGLE JIM!

Bullet-resistant vest helps save officer from being impaled

By a fence post. Even more amazing? This isn't the first time he's had a catastrophic accident on the job. Last time, he broke his back.

Study: After smoking bans start, DUI deaths tend to rise

That's according to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. One researcher's theory? Smokers are willing to drive farther for smoke-allowed bars, then dying on the drive back. He allows that there might be other explanations.

Hat Tip: Many thanks to the KC Guy, who had the story first!

OP police search for driver in fatal crash

From OP Police: On May 15, 2008, at approximately 10:40 pm, the Overland Park, Kansas Police Department responded to the intersection of 119th Street and Reily Street regarding a fatality.

During the investigation of this fatality, it has been discovered a dark blue unknown make/model, small sedan was observed driving away from the scene of the fatality. A witness stated this vehicle exited the Rosanna Square Shopping Center and entered 119th Street traveling westbound. The witness stated the vehicle merged into oncoming traffic, which forced westbound traffic to brake and slow down. The witness stated this reaction took place seconds before the fatality occurred.      

The Traffic Safety Unit is attempting to identify the driver of the blue vehicle. Anyone with information regarding this fatality is encouraged to call the TIPS HOTLINE at (816) 474-TIPS, (816) 474-8477.

Is this a fitting punishment?

Story is from Florida. Drunk motorcyclist crashes while speeding. A short time later, a teenage driver runs over him and the bike. He leaves -- but only, his lawyer says, after a paramedic says he can go. The motorcyclist dies. The next day, the teen gets arrested for leaving the scene.

Kid could have gotten five years, but the judge instead handed down this: He has to carry the dead guy's picture wherever he goes. He has to take down his own picture on MySpace and put up the dead guy's instead. And every year, he has to spend 48 hours in jail on the anniversary of the crash.

MO has 77.2 percent rate of seatbelt use

Kansas, meanwhile, has a 75 percent usage rate. More from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration here.

Bond lowered for suspect in fatal hit-and-run

Curtis W. Mertensmeyer is accused of hitting and killing Daniel Riemann, a pedestrian, on Mother's Day near Ward Parkway and 56th Street. Previously, Mertensmeyer's bond was $250K -- now it's $150K cash-only. That's still more than he can afford, though, so he's still in jail.

Officer struck while responding to accident

Not much info on this one. It's from Michigan, I know, and the police officer's injuries weren't life-threatening.

How to drive

Great, great post from Daddyology ...

Click It Or Ticket starts today

And will run through June 1. Basically, it means that police, sheriffs and highway troopers are going to be cracking down on people who don't wear their seat belts. More info here.

Local man surrenders in fatal hit-and-run

From The Star:

A 20-year-old Mission Hills man surrendered to Jackson County authorities today to face charges related to a fatal hit-and-run involving a pedestrian early on Mother’s Day.

Curtis W. Mertensmeyer was to be arraigned this morning on charges of leaving the scene of an accident and driving while intoxicated. He allegedly killed Daniel Riemann, 25, early May 11 as Riemann walked along Ward Parkway near 56th Street in Kansas City.

Police later found a severely damaged 2003 Saab abandoned near Loose Park. Their investigation continues.

3-year-old accused of taking family SUV for joyride

Story is from Salina. He apparently didn't get far -- just across the street, where he hit a parked car. The story says the kid actually put the keys in the ignition, which makes me skeptical. I don't know any 3-year-old whose motor skills are that good.

MO motorist caused wreck because she was reading her mail, police say

Story is from Columbia. Two teenagers in the other car had to go to the hospital, but have been released. Our mail-reading motorist, of course, was uninjured.

Click It Or Ticket

Just so you know, Riverside WILL be participating in the annual crackdown on seatbelt scofflaws. The campaign will run May 19 through June 1.

UPDATED: KCPD joins the Click It Or Ticket Juggernaut, too.

Report: KC is 7th deadliest city for teen drivers

From Mike Rice:

The Kansas City area has the country’s seventh highest fatal teen driving crash rate, according to a study recently released by Allstate Insurance Co.

The study, which kicks off the insurance company’s “Action Against Distraction” safe teen driving campaign, found that most of cities with the highest teen driving death rates were in the south. The three worst were in Florida.

The top 10 cities with the highest teen driving death rates were Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Fla.; Orlando/Kissimmee, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Nashville, Tenn.; Birmingham, Ala.; Phoenix; Kansas City; Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; and Louisville, Ky.

UPDATE on mom, daughter killed by motorist fleeing police

From KCPD: The people who were