Iowa, A three car crash took the life of the first collision driver.
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A rear end collision propelled the offending car across the center line and into the path of an oncoming car. Those two collided for a second collision sending both off in different directions. The 47-year old driver of the offending vehicle was Theresa Hynous who died from the impact. The police took a blood sample for both alcohol and blood tests. She was driving a 4 door Toyota Camry. She was the only person in her car.
The car in front of hers, the one she struck, was at a stop sign. This second car was a 4 door Chrystler LaBaron being driven by Norma Fairbanks from Camanche. She is 74 years of age. Her car was struck in the left rear causing severe damage, enough damage that the Iowa State Patrol noted it was totaled. Her vehicle appeared to be slowing or stopping for the stop sign. There was only the driver in her car. This driver was taken to Mercy North in Clinton by Camanche EMS.
The third vehicle was a Chrysler Town & Country, being driven by Ryan Chapman a 33 year-old man from Clinton, Iowa. His vehicle was struck on the left side. He was using a shoulder and lap belt. He too was taken to Mercy Clinton by Camanche EMS. This third vehicle had a passenger, James Harden, who was also injured and taken to the hospital. The speed limit was 55 mph; the roadway appears to be a four-way intersection with a stop sign. It was daylight and the weather was clear. Car one’s direction was south on U.S. 67.
Here is the Narrative: UNIT ONE WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON HWY 67. UNIT ONE STRUCK THE REAR OF UNIT TWO. UNIT ONE ENTERED NORTH BOUND LANE AND WAS STRUCK BY UNIT 3. UNIT ONE CAME TO REST ON NORTH BOUND LANE FACING NORTH. UNIT TWO CAME TO REST ON WEST SHOULDER FACING SOUTH WEST. UNIT THREE CAME TO REST FACING NORTH WEST ON EAST
Tonight's Quiz for smart high school and college would-be law students:
So what went wrong and why?
How could this collision have been avoided?
What mistakes were made be the offending driver?
If those mistakes aren't obvious, what does your gut, intuition or life experiences tell you probably happened?
Who wasn't looking?
Who was probably distracted?
Who was at fault? (Failed to obey the law or the rules of the road?)
Who should be liable?
Who better have had insurance coverage?
If the offending driver didn't have insurance, then are all other driver's out of luck and unable to collect their damages?
What type of insurance does cover the not-at-fault driver's/passenger's damages?
Next week I’ll come back and fill in the answers. Until then add your answers to the comments section.