Tragedy on the Seward

greenspeed · 07-25-2009, 09:14 PM

Just saw this on the news...it looks terrible and a little boy died.
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=10788872

Quote:

Boy dies in collision, Seward Highway closed

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by Channel 2 News Staff
Friday, July 24, 2009
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Girdwood Fire Department is on the scene of a serious car accident on the Seward Highway where an 11-year-old boy was killed.
It happened around 8:10 p.m. at Mile 75 of the highway.
Alaska State Troopers report that the crash involved two vehicles. A van crossed the line and hit the passenger side of a northbound station wagon where the boy was sitting.
Names have not yet been released and the injuries of the other passengers are considered minor.
Troopers say the Seward Highway will be closed for another two hours and will partially open after that.

It was a green and tan BH outback, and basically the whole passenger side of the outback was missing...I hope it wasn't anyone on here or anyone we know. My condolences go out to the family

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07_BluRex · 07-25-2009, 09:29 PM

Sucks that a little kid whose parents were doing nothing wrong got it, probably because some jackass (the van) either fell asleep, or got impatient and tried to unsafely pass. The second one is the more common reason for accidents and deaths on that highway, it's a dangerous one, always has been. I hate to say it, especially when it involves a kid dying in this case, but eventually you live here long enough it becomes "oh just another accident on the Seward Highway..." They actually now happen a lot less, when I was a kid accidents were much more common, but they still have room for improvement on that highway's safety somehow. I don't know what can be done, but they've been slowly trying to figure it out.

greenspeed · 07-25-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07_BluRex

Sucks that a little kid whose parents were doing nothing wrong got it, probably because some jackass (the van) either fell asleep, or got impatient and tried to unsafely pass. The second one is the more common reason for accidents and deaths on that highway, it's a dangerous one, always has been. I hate to say it, especially when it involves a kid dying in this case, but eventually you live here long enough it becomes "oh just another accident on the Seward Highway..." They actually now happen a lot less, when I was a kid accidents were much more common, but they still have room for improvement on that highway's safety somehow. I don't know what can be done, but they've been slowly trying to figure it out.

probably work on getting rid of the ruts, I can almost guarantee that if those where gone people would have a less chance of an accident.

Plus it is really beautiful outside the valley so I could see people loosing sight of the road to whatevers around them.

QwikEVO · 07-25-2009, 11:13 PM

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tragity

greenspeed · 07-25-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QwikEVO

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tragity

hahahaha i knew i spelt it wrong...thanks...

if this was OT i wouldn't be able to sit down right now rofl

Gunter.b · 07-27-2009, 03:29 AM

Two bad wrecks down that way. :-(

SLDWYS · 07-27-2009, 11:30 AM

They need to put some road braille in. That highway claims too many lives.

Wes_FSTGDB · 08-01-2009, 04:08 AM

I wish you guys saw how bad the traffic was from this. They shut down the highway completely. You could see a stream of bright red lights passed Girdwood all the way across the water to the other side where it turns into the mountains.

It is one of the most deadliest highways in the US. Only because of the idiots that drive here. People here don't even know how to use the passing lanes properly.....

greenspeed · 08-01-2009, 05:45 PM

You stay in the left lane in the passing lane right?

akeric · 08-01-2009, 07:29 PM

The primary reason the seward is so damned dangerous is because we have the perfect storm of elements that each add just a bit of danger and it piles up amazingly well. I drove down to home this past week and had no problems whatsoever as far as safety. I did however experience a number of things that can be dangerous if your not paying attention.

1) Drivers in a hurry, your in a hurry you do dumb things, pass when it is inappropriate

2) Drivers going to slow, I am more than happy to drive the speed limit or a little over but it is aggrivating when someone insists on going 5-10mph under the speed limit in the summer time. This is what inspires people to pass and I'm sure in some cases do it unsafely. I have a feeling these slow drivers are the same ones that write into the ADN saying they try never to drive that road because its so unsafe.

3) People not knowing how to drive, there are plenty of opportunities on that road to pass safely but there was one example when I hit a passing lane and one guys stays in the right lane and the other guy moves into the left and they are both going the same speed, the only passing happened when the guy in the right lane had to slow down to merge back.... just stupid. This is also probably part of the reason for people driving to slow as well.

4) People not paying attention, alaska is a beautiful place, if you want to admire the scenery let someone else drive. Cellphones, kids, other passengers, nothing makes me wonder about someone more than driving behind someone and watching them constantly taking their hands off the wheel to make gestures to their passenger, all the while turning their heads towards the passenger. Christ its not a debate watch the road and have a normal conversation.

5) People driving vehicles they have little to no experience in operating. Face it, RVs are not daily drivers for most people, they pull it out on the weekend and decide to take it down the most notorious hwy in alaska..... WOOHOO!! lets have some beers first...The RV rental places have done lots to help this problem.

6) Commercial Vehicles, the road is small yet its the main transport route for everything to homer and seward. Lots of oversize loads as well, construction, boats, etc etc. This is not a big issue but it does add to the hazards of this road.

7) Drivers not using pull-outs, what part of 'delay of 5 vehicles illegal, use turn-outs' do you not understand? Yes the signage needs some help 'Slow Vehicle Turn-Out 100ft' WTF? I pass it before I'm done reading the sign.

Wes_FSTGDB · 08-01-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenspeed

You stay in the left lane in the passing lane right?

Before I answer this, to Ak Eric's post I think #1, 2, and 7 are the biggest reasons. On the way down to Whittier I had 8+ cars going 45mph in the 55mph safe zone speed limit because of a retarded motor home. He finally pulled off the side of the road.

But back to your post, I had a guy hauling a large boat on the way back up from Seward, we finally hit the passing lane. So behind him was this 18 wheeler. The idiot hauling the boat stays in the left hand lane. The semi passes him on the right, I floor it and pass him on the left. The semi is honking his horn, I honked my horn and the dude still didn't have a clue on what was going on. It's pretty bad when you have a semi truck passing you on the right hand side of the passing lane.... It's stupid ass people like this that don't give a **** about other people, they're in their own world, doing their own thing. You don't know how many times I wish someone would just pull their asses over and hand them a ticket for the 5+ car rule.

Sad part is all of these experiences have happened this summer. And every time my driver(s) head down that way there is a 4+ hour delay because of a major accident.

-Wes

aleutdude · 08-02-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akeric

The primary reason the seward is so damned dangerous is because we have the perfect storm of elements that each add just a bit of danger and it piles up amazingly well. I drove down to home this past week and had no problems whatsoever as far as safety. I did however experience a number of things that can be dangerous if your not paying attention.

1) Drivers in a hurry, your in a hurry you do dumb things, pass when it is inappropriate

2) Drivers going to slow, I am more than happy to drive the speed limit or a little over but it is aggrivating when someone insists on going 5-10mph under the speed limit in the summer time. This is what inspires people to pass and I'm sure in some cases do it unsafely. I have a feeling these slow drivers are the same ones that write into the ADN saying they try never to drive that road because its so unsafe.

3) People not knowing how to drive, there are plenty of opportunities on that road to pass safely but there was one example when I hit a passing lane and one guys stays in the right lane and the other guy moves into the left and they are both going the same speed, the only passing happened when the guy in the right lane had to slow down to merge back.... just stupid. This is also probably part of the reason for people driving to slow as well.

4) People not paying attention, alaska is a beautiful place, if you want to admire the scenery let someone else drive. Cellphones, kids, other passengers, nothing makes me wonder about someone more than driving behind someone and watching them constantly taking their hands off the wheel to make gestures to their passenger, all the while turning their heads towards the passenger. Christ its not a debate watch the road and have a normal conversation.

5) People driving vehicles they have little to no experience in operating. Face it, RVs are not daily drivers for most people, they pull it out on the weekend and decide to take it down the most notorious hwy in alaska..... WOOHOO!! lets have some beers first...The RV rental places have done lots to help this problem.

6) Commercial Vehicles, the road is small yet its the main transport route for everything to homer and seward. Lots of oversize loads as well, construction, boats, etc etc. This is not a big issue but it does add to the hazards of this road.

7) Drivers not using pull-outs, what part of 'delay of 5 vehicles illegal, use turn-outs' do you not understand? Yes the signage needs some help 'Slow Vehicle Turn-Out 100ft' WTF? I pass it before I'm done reading the sign.

You forgot something I've seen someone doing-riding motorcycles waaay to fast on public roads but I guess this fits perfectly into number 5 & 1-just a different type of vehicle.

P.S. We were delayed on our way in from Homer today just outside of Girdwood because of some accident and were promptly passed-around a corner-by an impatient squid on a bike. Personally I'm tired of seeing crap like this,not to mention the hog-riders passing everyone else who was stopped on the shoulder. Stuff like this just irks me because its completely pointless.

QwikEVO · 08-02-2009, 09:06 PM

akeric, you basically summed up my bitches and complaints in a more relaxed and less profane way then I would have explained...lol

You hit every nail on the head.

Lvis · 08-02-2009, 09:09 PM

they had an accident in NJ where 7 people died (3 kids) mother that was driving had a diabetic shock (they think) and went the wrong way on a parkway then BAM... dont wanna thread jack but it was big news. Only survivor was a 5yo and hes doing fine, the part of the van he was in had little damage

fishAK · 08-02-2009, 09:22 PM

Green's thread-spelling magically got better.....

vtecsti · 08-02-2009, 10:01 PM

I thought I was going to die the first time I drove on this highway in the rain(a few days ago). It's a pretty ****ty and treacherous highway if you don't know what you're doing.

greenspeed · 08-02-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishAK

Green's thread-spelling magically got better.....

It was changed by the Vagina Mod ROFL...

Nomadgene · 08-03-2009, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtecsti

I thought I was going to die the first time I drove on this highway in the rain(a few days ago). It's a pretty ****ty and treacherous highway if you don't know what you're doing.

I drove that stretch from Homer for 2 years and from Soldotna for 5 years commuting to Anchorage. I have driven it in every imaginable weather and light (or lack there of) scenario. In my humble opinion, there is nothing wrong with the road.

I certainly had my share of close calls and near misses over the years but I also stayed within my limits and had an awesome vehicle underneath me that I kept well maintained.

Just like the gun control argument....guns don't kill people! People kill people.

A little patience, good vehicle maintenance and control, and finally a big dose of common sense go a long way.

Common sense isn't so common these days.

vtecsti · 08-04-2009, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomadgene

I drove that stretch from Homer for 2 years and from Soldotna for 5 years commuting to Anchorage. I have driven it in every imaginable weather and light (or lack there of) scenario. In my humble opinion, there is nothing wrong with the road.

I certainly had my share of close calls and near misses over the years but I also stayed within my limits and had an awesome vehicle underneath me that I kept well maintained.

Just like the gun control argument....guns don't kill people! People kill people.

A little patience, good vehicle maintenance and control, and finally a big dose of common sense go a long way.

Common sense isn't so common these days.

I take what Hertz gives me.

Wes_FSTGDB · 08-06-2009, 10:29 PM

Another major fatality, I've had 9 rental cars that were stuck in the mess. I heard it was past Whittier in between Girdwood and Anchorage. I had one guy leave Seward at
10:30AM and just got back to Anchorage at 5:40PM. Missed his flight, was stuck for 5 hours. Others were stuck from 2-4 hours.

A few said they think a few people died.

-Wes

07_BluRex · 08-06-2009, 10:36 PM

Yep, two kids, 19 and 16 dead because some jackass in a Dodge tried to pass with oncoming traffic. Sounds like a whole line of oncoming traffic, so WTF was he thinking? http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/kenai/story/890055.html

02redwagone · 08-06-2009, 11:15 PM

Probably related to the guy that dropped his cell and crossed 5 lanes into the side of the train.

Mavrik · 08-07-2009, 12:35 AM

people need to SLOW DOWN and just go with the flow. RELAX man.

aleutdude · 08-07-2009, 12:47 AM

This happened in the so-called "safety corridor". The moron in the truck was at fault,no question but if the fines are not only double for moving violations in this area I think patrols should be drastically stepped up as well. People are-in general-unable to self-police. If enough drivers are made to think twice before attempting risky maneuvers this kind of pointless,senseless loss might actually decline but there needs to be alot more law enforcement presence. Period.
Tragic and senseless. My heart goes out to those boy's family & friends. As for myself and my wife we now find ourselves going on trips up north more often than not-especially on the motorcycles-even though we both love the scenery along the Seward.

missiceblast · 08-07-2009, 01:58 AM

Ya know... What baffles my mind are the areas that are constrction double traffic fines and everyone is flying by me and even the cops are.... Are we not supposed to follow the posted limit during the day??? I don't get it...

Everyone be careful out there. Don't forget the rear-view, watch cars ahead and behind.

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07-25-2009, 09:29 PM	#2
07_BluRex Scooby Specialist Member#: 127922 Join Date: Oct 2006 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Home of Black Metal, Norway! Vehicle: 2012 VW Golf Mk6 TSI Supercharged AND Turboed!	Sucks that a little kid whose parents were doing nothing wrong got it, probably because some jackass (the van) either fell asleep, or got impatient and tried to unsafely pass. The second one is the more common reason for accidents and deaths on that highway, it's a dangerous one, always has been. I hate to say it, especially when it involves a kid dying in this case, but eventually you live here long enough it becomes "oh just another accident on the Seward Highway..." They actually now happen a lot less, when I was a kid accidents were much more common, but they still have room for improvement on that highway's safety somehow. I don't know what can be done, but they've been slowly trying to figure it out.

07-25-2009, 11:13 PM	#4
QwikEVO Scooby Specialist Member#: 44172 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Eagle River, AK Vehicle: 2003 Lancer Evo 8 Plasti-Dip is for TOOLS	http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tragity

07-27-2009, 03:29 AM	#6
Gunter.b Scooby Newbie Member#: 194198 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Anchorage, AK Vehicle: 08 Spec.B d.grey	Two bad wrecks down that way. :-(

07-27-2009, 11:30 AM	#7
SLDWYS Scooby Specialist Member#: 58877 Join Date: Apr 2004 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: RAGE, AK Vehicle: BMW e30 XI From JDM to DTM	They need to put some road braille in. That highway claims too many lives.

08-01-2009, 04:08 AM	#8
Wes_FSTGDB Scooby Specialist Member#: 59400 Join Date: Apr 2004 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Burbank, CA/Anchorage, AK Vehicle: 2005 STi Atlas Grey 2008 BMW 335XI Space Grey	I wish you guys saw how bad the traffic was from this. They shut down the highway completely. You could see a stream of bright red lights passed Girdwood all the way across the water to the other side where it turns into the mountains. It is one of the most deadliest highways in the US. Only because of the idiots that drive here. People here don't even know how to use the passing lanes properly.....

08-01-2009, 05:45 PM	#9
greenspeed * Banned * Member#: 151248 Join Date: Jun 2007 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Meadow Lakes, AK Vehicle: 00 Impreza 2.5RS Whore Door	You stay in the left lane in the passing lane right?

08-01-2009, 07:29 PM	#10
akeric Scooby Specialist Member#: 122954 Join Date: Aug 2006 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage, AK Vehicle: 2006 Evo IX My car is black not	The primary reason the seward is so damned dangerous is because we have the perfect storm of elements that each add just a bit of danger and it piles up amazingly well. I drove down to home this past week and had no problems whatsoever as far as safety. I did however experience a number of things that can be dangerous if your not paying attention. 1) Drivers in a hurry, your in a hurry you do dumb things, pass when it is inappropriate 2) Drivers going to slow, I am more than happy to drive the speed limit or a little over but it is aggrivating when someone insists on going 5-10mph under the speed limit in the summer time. This is what inspires people to pass and I'm sure in some cases do it unsafely. I have a feeling these slow drivers are the same ones that write into the ADN saying they try never to drive that road because its so unsafe. 3) People not knowing how to drive, there are plenty of opportunities on that road to pass safely but there was one example when I hit a passing lane and one guys stays in the right lane and the other guy moves into the left and they are both going the same speed, the only passing happened when the guy in the right lane had to slow down to merge back.... just stupid. This is also probably part of the reason for people driving to slow as well. 4) People not paying attention, alaska is a beautiful place, if you want to admire the scenery let someone else drive. Cellphones, kids, other passengers, nothing makes me wonder about someone more than driving behind someone and watching them constantly taking their hands off the wheel to make gestures to their passenger, all the while turning their heads towards the passenger. Christ its not a debate watch the road and have a normal conversation. 5) People driving vehicles they have little to no experience in operating. Face it, RVs are not daily drivers for most people, they pull it out on the weekend and decide to take it down the most notorious hwy in alaska..... WOOHOO!! lets have some beers first...The RV rental places have done lots to help this problem. 6) Commercial Vehicles, the road is small yet its the main transport route for everything to homer and seward. Lots of oversize loads as well, construction, boats, etc etc. This is not a big issue but it does add to the hazards of this road. 7) Drivers not using pull-outs, what part of 'delay of 5 vehicles illegal, use turn-outs' do you not understand? Yes the signage needs some help 'Slow Vehicle Turn-Out 100ft' WTF? I pass it before I'm done reading the sign.

08-02-2009, 09:06 PM	#13
QwikEVO Scooby Specialist Member#: 44172 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Eagle River, AK Vehicle: 2003 Lancer Evo 8 Plasti-Dip is for TOOLS	akeric, you basically summed up my bitches and complaints in a more relaxed and less profane way then I would have explained...lol You hit every nail on the head.

08-02-2009, 09:09 PM	#14
Lvis Scooby Newbie Member#: 219188 Join Date: Aug 2009	they had an accident in NJ where 7 people died (3 kids) mother that was driving had a diabetic shock (they think) and went the wrong way on a parkway then BAM... dont wanna thread jack but it was big news. Only survivor was a 5yo and hes doing fine, the part of the van he was in had little damage

08-02-2009, 09:22 PM	#15
fishAK Scooby Specialist Member#: 177680 Join Date: Apr 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage Vehicle: '03 GMC Denali White light w/flicker	Green's thread-spelling magically got better.....

08-02-2009, 10:01 PM	#16
vtecsti Scooby Newbie Member#: 116922 Join Date: Jun 2006 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Brevard, NC/All over the world Vehicle: 2004 E55 AMG Tectite Gray	I thought I was going to die the first time I drove on this highway in the rain(a few days ago). It's a pretty ****ty and treacherous highway if you don't know what you're doing.

08-06-2009, 10:29 PM	#20
Wes_FSTGDB Scooby Specialist Member#: 59400 Join Date: Apr 2004 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Burbank, CA/Anchorage, AK Vehicle: 2005 STi Atlas Grey 2008 BMW 335XI Space Grey	Another major fatality, I've had 9 rental cars that were stuck in the mess. I heard it was past Whittier in between Girdwood and Anchorage. I had one guy leave Seward at 10:30AM and just got back to Anchorage at 5:40PM. Missed his flight, was stuck for 5 hours. Others were stuck from 2-4 hours. A few said they think a few people died. -Wes

08-06-2009, 10:36 PM	#21
07_BluRex Scooby Specialist Member#: 127922 Join Date: Oct 2006 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Home of Black Metal, Norway! Vehicle: 2012 VW Golf Mk6 TSI Supercharged AND Turboed!	Yep, two kids, 19 and 16 dead because some jackass in a Dodge tried to pass with oncoming traffic. Sounds like a whole line of oncoming traffic, so WTF was he thinking? http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/kenai/story/890055.html

08-06-2009, 11:15 PM	#22
02redwagone Scooby Specialist Member#: 87067 Join Date: May 2005 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Oregon Coast/AK Vehicle: 02 Old but tasty SRP	Probably related to the guy that dropped his cell and crossed 5 lanes into the side of the train.

08-07-2009, 12:35 AM	#23
Mavrik Scooby Guru Member#: 90347 Join Date: Jul 2005 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage AK Vehicle: 2013 BRZ & Imp 2.5RS Yamaha FZ8	people need to SLOW DOWN and just go with the flow. RELAX man.

08-07-2009, 12:47 AM	#24
aleutdude Scooby Specialist Member#: 129089 Join Date: Oct 2006 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage,Alaska Vehicle: 06 Impreza2.5Bug-i OBP	This happened in the so-called "safety corridor". The moron in the truck was at fault,no question but if the fines are not only double for moving violations in this area I think patrols should be drastically stepped up as well. People are-in general-unable to self-police. If enough drivers are made to think twice before attempting risky maneuvers this kind of pointless,senseless loss might actually decline but there needs to be alot more law enforcement presence. Period. Tragic and senseless. My heart goes out to those boy's family & friends. As for myself and my wife we now find ourselves going on trips up north more often than not-especially on the motorcycles-even though we both love the scenery along the Seward.

08-07-2009, 01:58 AM	#25
missiceblast Scooby Specialist Member#: 142304 Join Date: Mar 2007	Ya know... What baffles my mind are the areas that are constrction double traffic fines and everyone is flying by me and even the cops are.... Are we not supposed to follow the posted limit during the day??? I don't get it... Everyone be careful out there. Don't forget the rear-view, watch cars ahead and behind.