Emmitt and/or Rudy, can you find out what happened on 35e in Carrolton

[oldguystudent]

On the way home, we hit an accident on the interstate. Like all lanes closed, 20 cop cars, fire trucks everywhere, everyone had to drive over the grass shoulder to the service road kind of accident. I drove past a car that was so wrecked, my initial thought was that the driver was surely dead. The car was so smashed, that since the driver side door hadn't been cut off, the dead driver must surely have still been inside. Then I notice the faint remnants of paint on the side of the car and realized it was a cop car. About two hundred yards in front of that was an upside down minivan. I have never even seen a picture of such carnage. I am a little shaken up for having witnessed such a thing.

This helps explain to me why I perceive police as being so tense all the time. Every day when you go to work, this kind of thing can happen. I can't imagine what was going through the minds of the Carrollton police working the scene with one of their own as the casualty. I don't think I'm going to sleep anytime soon tonight.

[Travis]

On the way home, we hit an accident on the interstate. Like all lanes closed, 20 cop cars, fire trucks everywhere, everyone had to drive over the grass shoulder to the service road kind of accident. I drove past a car that was so wrecked, my initial thought was that the driver was surely dead. The car was so smashed, that since the driver side door hadn't been cut off, the dead driver must surely have still been inside. Then I notice the faint remnants of paint on the side of the car and realized it was a cop car. About two hundred yards in front of that was an upside down minivan. I have never even seen a picture of such carnage. I am a little shaken up for having witnessed such a thing.

This helps explain to me why I perceive police as being so tense all the time. Every day when you go to work, this kind of thing can happen. I can't imagine what was going through the minds of the Carrollton police working the scene with one of their own as the casualty. I don't think I'm going to sleep anytime soon tonight.

I saw this as well. It looked bad. Real bad. I wonder what happened.

[Rudy]

I will do some digging, I just got to work at my security job. There is nothing on Officer Down Memorial Page, nor the Officer forums. If the officer had been cut out of the vehicle, it would be noticeable. There is no way to get one out of the passenger door without moving all of the equipment in the console.

Did you see the look on the officers' faces? That can tell alot about what happened.

[Travis]

I will do some digging, I just got to work at my security job. There is nothing on Officer Down Memorial Page, nor the Officer forums. If the officer had been cut out of the vehicle, it would be noticeable. There is no way to get one out of the passenger door without moving all of the equipment in the console.

Did you see the look on the officers' faces? That can tell alot about what happened.

I don't see how there was any way someone could have survived that wreck if someone was in there.

[greenminer]

I don't see how there was any way someone could have survived that wreck if someone was in there.

I had an exchange with Rick a while back about an accident involving an SUV. It had come off the 35W overpass at the north 820 crossover at a high velocity, flipped/rolled perpendicular to the highway underneath and proceeded to skid upside down, through traffic and across the grass medium into the opposing traffic lane. By my estimate, it had rolled, flipped and skid over 75 yards.; it looked more than 50% compressed. It just missed my friends's cars (we were in a caravan), one of which had blood and hair smatttered all over the rear

I called 911 and said to the affect of "send what you got". It didn't look like anyone could have survived that. No effing way.

I got confirmation the next day that all passengers in the SUV (teenagers) walked away with no major injuries.

You just never really know. It's amazing.

Edited March 4, 2012 by greenminer

[oldguystudent]

The cop wasn't in the car. He was assisting someone else when his empty car got hit from behind. http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Carrollton-squad-car-destroyed-in-I-35E-wreck-141358103.html

[Rudy]

People need to realize that those flashing lights on police cars, fire engines, and ambulances DO NOT mean speed up or gawk. The "move over" law exists for a reason.

I'm happy the officer is well, now I can feel sorry for him for all of the personal gear that was in his car that he has to replace.

Edited March 4, 2012 by Rudy

[oldguystudent]

I'm happy the officer is well, now I can feel sorry for him for all of the personal gear that was in his car that he has to replace.

On the way down yesterday, we passed a traffic stop, and I couldn't move over, so I slowed down to 40. My daughter asked me what I was doing, so I explained the move over or slow down thing. Now that we know what went down last night, she snapped, "Somebody didn't follow the law!"

On another note, what kind of gear would you have that isn't issued by the department?

[Rudy]

On the way down yesterday, we passed a traffic stop, and I couldn't move over, so I slowed down to 40. My daughter asked me what I was doing, so I explained the move over or slow down thing. Now that we know what went down last night, she snapped, "Somebody didn't follow the law!"

On another note, what kind of gear would you have that isn't issued by the department?

If you can't vacate the lane closest to the stopped emergency vehicle, slow down to 20mph below the posted speed.

ALOT of gear actually. Some departments, like mine, don't provide you with anything. Others like Carrollton, will provide you with your duty weapon, and likely shotgun and patrol rifle. Your gear bag, flashlights (we carry more than one and they are easily $70+, backup guns, extra ammo, knives, jackets, traffic wands, clipboards, extra handcuffs, and probably alot of things I can't even think off of the top of my head.

[oldguystudent]

That surprises me. That stuff's not cheap.

On the 20 mph below the speed limit thing, I knew that, having had the pleasure of traffic school a couple years ago. Speed limit was 65, I slowed to 40.

[Rudy]

Yeah, it's pricey. It seems minor in comparison to getting seriously hurt, but it's kind of the whole "this is how we deal" sort of thing.

It really sucks when work for a department that pays extremely low.

[NT03]

1330907032' post='629810']

ALOT of gear actually. Some departments, like mine, don't provide you with anything.

Man that sucks. What department do you work for ? If you dont mind me asking.

[Rudy]

Man that sucks. What department do you work for ? If you dont mind me asking.

It's a small town just north of Athens. Pm sent.