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Teen Dies in Alcohol Related Car Crash(2)

Linda Snyder — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:35:33 GMT

According to the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, police say two 18-year old men had been drinking at a party before the vehicle they were riding in rolled early Saturday, killing one and critically injuring the other.

Neither was wearing a seatbelt and both were ejected. The passenger, Evan Kinnan, died in the one-car crash on Woodmen Road, and the driver, Craig Milos, suffered severe head injuries and was listed in critical condition at Penrose main hospital.

"Alcohol is definitely involved - there is no maybe," said police Lt. Patricia Feese.

Investigators are still looking into how the teenagers obtained the alcohol at a party in the Peregrine neighborhood, in northwest Colorado Springs, Feese said.

Kids have been drinking and driving ever since there has been alcohol and vehicles (both motorized and non-motorized). Yet, today the statistics are hitting epidemic numbers. So, why are drunk driving accidents involving under-age drinkers seem so much worse today, than even 10 years ago? Is there more publicity, more public awareness? Do young drivers have easier access to cars today? Easier access to alcohol? Is there less accountability to parents or authority figures?

Consider these statistics:

â€¢ In 2006, an estimated 17,602 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes--an average of one every 30 minutes. These deaths constitute 41 percent of the 42,642 total traffic fatalities. Of these, an estimated 13,470 involved a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater).
â€¢ Approximately 1.4 million drivers were arrested in 2004 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. This is an arrest rate of 1 for every 139 licensed drivers in the United States (2005 data not yet available).
â€¢ According to MADD, in 2006, these students reported that alcohol is "very easy" or "fairly easy" to get.
â€¢ 92.5 percent of twelfth graders
â€¢ 83 percent of tenth graders
â€¢ 63 percent of eighth graders
â€¢ Male drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes are almost twice as likely as female drivers to be intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or greater (NHTSA 2006). It is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

â€¢ At all levels of blood alcohol concentration, the risk of being involved in a crash is greater for young people than for older people (Zador et al. 2000). In 2005, 16% of drivers ages 16 to 20 who died in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking alcohol (NHTSA 2006).
â€¢ Young men ages 18 to 20 (under the legal drinking age) reported driving while impaired more frequently than any other age group (Shults et al. 2002, Quinlan et al. 2005).

It seems that underage drinkers have no problems getting alcohol and they certainly don't have any problems getting a vehicle to drive. Is there a cure for this under-age drinking and driving epidemic?

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Linda Snyder

Major Car Accident in Colorado Springs

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 18 May 2007 15:45:54 GMT

A mulitple car accident on the Hancock Expressway closed down the road early this morning. Police believe that two cars were involved including one that rolled over.

Police believe another car may be involved in the accident but it apparently left the scene to bring some injured people to the hospital.
Police are calling it a serious injury accident and have called out their Major Accidents division out to investigate.

The accident happened around 2am and the expressway was closed until 8am this morning. The police are still investigating the accident. At least one person was taken from the scene by ambulance to a local hospital.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Car Accident Claims Colorado Springs Man

Staff Writer — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 10:08:34 GMT

A 35-year-old Colorado Springs man was killed in a car accident early Sunday morning when the Expedition he was driving was hit head-on by a 16-year-old who crossed a double-yellow line in his Explorer on Colorado Highway 83. The driver of the Explorer was listed in critical condition Monday.

The Colorado Springs Gazette has the full car accident story.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Man Crashes Car; Survives 12 Hours In Freezing Temps

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:41:00 GMT

James McLaughlin, 21, of Colorado Springs, will be spending the next few weeks in the hospital for multiple injuries, but he is happy to be alive after surviving 12 hours in freezing temperatures.

While driving down Gold Camp Road, McLaughlin's dog jumped in his lap, causing him to lose control fo the vehicle. McLaughlin's car went off a 300-foot cliff and landed 500 feet from the road.

"Then a tree hit the front of my car, causing it to go completely upside-down. Now that's where I blacked out," McLaughlin told KOAA-TV from his hospital bed at Penrose.

After being thrown through his windshield, McLaughlin eventually regained consciousness. It took McLaughlin more than 2 hours to drag himself 40 feet to his car using his arms.

While he did make it back to his car, he was unable to reach his cell phone.

Eagle Scout survival skills helped to save his life. He was able to locate his survival kit containing mittens, a hat and lighter which he used to start a fire and stay warm.

Finally, 12 hours later, hikers found him.

Dexter his dog, suffered minor injuries and is expected to be fine.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Colorado Teen Ticketed For Careless Driving After Hitting A Parked Vehicle

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:46:00 GMT

A Colorado Springs teen was ticketed for careless driving after he allegedly struck a parked vehicle that two men were working on, according to authorities.

The accident happened on Sunday afternoon on the 2800 block of Richmond Drive, near Constitution Ave. and Peterson Road.

The teen reportedly told authorities that his cell phone rang, but when he tried to pick it up, it fell. When he tried to grab the phone gain, he lost control of his vehicle and struck the parked car.

Both men, which were working on the car, were taken to the hospital with injuries that don’t appear to be life-threatening.

In December, a new Colorado law will prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from using their cell phones while driving.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Colorado Springs Man Loses Control Of Vehicle, Drives Through Fences

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:48:00 GMT

A Colorado Springs man lost control of his pickup truck slamming through three fences before crashing into a garage full of cars.

Police believe the driver suffered a seizure while behind the wheel.

The truck accident happened on Damsel Drive off Stetson Hills Blvd, Sunday morning.

It appears the truck went off Stetson Hills and crashed through a fence - struck a swing set and then a tree.

There were three children in the truck at the time of the accident. No one was seriously injured in the crash, but the driver and his children were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

"His oldest son who is approximately 10 years old tried to reach to the front and grab the brake or steering wheel but was not able to, so this car was just veering off of trees and everything else until it came to rest," Sgt. Taylor with the Colorado Springs Police Department said.

The driver has been cited for careless driving. The investigation is ongoing. #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Two Car Collision Closes I-25 for Four Hours and Leaves One Critically Injured

Margaret Embry — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:22:39 GMT

On Saturday, July 25th in Colorado Springs, a two car collision on I-25 caused a part of the interstate to be closed for four hours, according to KOAA, NBC Channel 5. An investigation by the Colorado Springs police revealed that:

a station wagon was going southbound on the Interstate, when the driver lost control and crossed the center median striking a pickup truck going northbound, pulling an enclosed trailer.

An 18 year-old girl was the driver of the station wagon. There was also an 18 year-old female passenger in the car. A 62 year-old man was driving the truck involved in the accident. The passenger of the station wagon and the driver of the truck were taken to a nearby hospital, but had no serious injuries. The driver of the station wagon remains in critical condition.

The police believe alcohol may have been a factor in the accident. Charges will be determined upon completion of the investigation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Margaret Embry

Motor vehicle safety tips for winter weather

Staff Writer — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 10:00:40 GMT

News Channel 13's web site put out a helpful list of safety tips for motorists and others this winter during their "Winter Weather Awareness Week." The article not only offers basic tips for staying safe and avoiding dangerous situations during winter weather, but it provides specific tips for motorists to avoid accidents.

By preparing your car or truck for the winter weather, you can help keep yourself and others safe on the roads:

A well equipped vehicle has adequate tires...Tire chains...Tow rope...Sand or cat litter for traction...Shovel...Tool kit... Windshield scraper and brush...Battery cables...First aid kit... Flashlight...Extra batteries...Blankets...Sleeping bags... Extra clothing...Candles... Waterproof matches...High calorie packaged food for quick energy...And an empty can to melt snow for drinking.
The best way to prevent treacherous winter travel is to avoid it. This can be done by staying informed about the current weather and road conditions as well as the latest weather forecasts. Information on road conditions in colorado is available on the internet at http://Www.Cotrip.Org/ or by dialing toll free 1-877-315-7623. Department of transportation road reports from other states can be obtained from a web search or by calling information.
If you should become stranded during a winter storm...Stay with your vehicle and do not panic. If accompanied by others...Take turns sleeping. Run the motor every hour for about ten minutes to maintain warmth...But keep windows open a little to prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked. Keep the car visible with brightly colored cloths tied to the side view mirrors...Door handles...Or external antenna. Exercise periodically by vigorously moving arms... Legs...Toes and fingers.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

C-470 accident included police cruiser

Staff Writer — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 21:13:02 GMT

A multiple-vehicle accident on C-470 yesterday afternoon casued the westbound lanes to be closed to clear the pile-up, which included a police cruiser from Littleton.

A report on MyFoxColorado.com said that there were a number of accidents along the same stretch of C-470 in Douglas County yesterday due to the icy conditions. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.

The westbound lanes of C-470 opened just before 3 p.m.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Glenwood Springs Accident Kills One

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 15:32:33 GMT

A Tuesday evening accident on County Road 115 in Glenwood Springs left one person dead and three others in the hospital. The 19-year-old driver of the car was killed after she went off the road and flipped the car. Her three passengers were ejected from the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche.

The crash occurred at about 6:47 p.m. When emergency personnel arrived, they found a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche on its right side on the roadway. A preliminary investigation indicated Hernandez was driving north on the road, which leads to Spring Valley, between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, when the vehicle went off the road to the right. Hernandez apparently overcorrected to the left, causing the vehicle to roll one and one-quarter times, ejecting all of the occupants, according to the state patrol.

It is unknown if alcohol played a role in the accident, but it is believed that high speed was. The police are still investigating the single car accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann