Posted on Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 1:05 p.m.
Tractor trailer rollover accident on I-94 caused by driver distraction, police say
By Heather Lockwood
Michigan State Police Trooper Todd Etue said the driver of a tractor trailer that rolled over and caught fire at eastbound I-94 and M-14 earlier today reached down to grab some potato chips moments before the accident.
"He was reaching down to grab some potato chips," Etue said. "He was on the (M-14) ramp but he just reached down and hit the rail and rolled over."
He added, "The vehicle sort of exploded, but no one was hurt."
The ramp was never fully closed after the crash, but it caused traffic backups, dispatchers said. It has since cleared up.
No further details were immediately available.
Comments
Fat Bill
Tue, Oct 19, 2010 : 2:26 p.m.
When the driver plowed through the guardrail, he tore the oil pan right off the bottom of the engine. The resulting mist of hot oil, plus the sparks from all the friction, caused the oil to flash briefly, no major deal, the fire was out long before the flashing light people arrived.
CobraII
Tue, Oct 19, 2010 : 12:20 p.m.
We need to ban potato chips now, before they kill again!!!
fortin911
Tue, Oct 19, 2010 : 4:48 a.m.
I sincerely hope the driver of the rolled Tractor trailor has his right to drive susspended and he get a new profession that is less dangerous to others.
Julius
Tue, Oct 19, 2010 : 4:37 a.m.
A few months ago, I pulled up along side a driver on M-14 and watched her type several text messages. Oblivious. I think the potato chip story is kinda fishy. (Nasty!! fish flavored potato chips?!?!)
skyward
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 8:57 p.m.
Ok Oprah, obviously we need a law against eating potato chips while driving, too. And talking to children in the back seat. And why in the world do they put radios in these death boxes? Hey. Wait. A moment of clarity. Why don't we simply penalize drivers, sternly, who allow themselves to be distracted while driving and cause harm to others or drive in a manner likely to cause harm to others?... Nah. That's crazy. Honestly, I hope the driver is ok. Stupid mistakes are tough to live with. But it's better than the alternative.
Speechless
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 6:52 p.m.
Though not religious, I also concur with Cow. Of course, this habit doesn't only happen on the road, where it creates lethal danger for everyone. The everyday attempts to multitask behind the wheel, however reckless, are but an extension of what we increasingly do at work and at home. In many workplaces, there exist growing expectations to juggle several tasks at once, while time constraints create pressure to do more of the same when at home. Quite naturally, as a result, we will compulsively try to make "efficient" use of otherwise "wasted" commute time. Out on roadways, multitasking is now a casual, widely shared addiction. Judging by choices being made daily, it seems many drivers would prefer to die in a high-speed crash than go cold turkey and drop this deadly habit.
actionjackson
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 6:19 p.m.
@Holy Cow I am with you 100%. Where are the lobbyists on this one!
Holy Cow
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 3:32 p.m.
I am not sure why people think it is ok to multi task and drive. I don't want my life or my child's life to be put in danger because someone doesn't want to wait until they are in a safe area to take a call, eat lunch etc. When driving a vehicle you are wielding a several thousand pound speeding bullet. I heard that Troy, Michigan has an ordinance that prohibits talking on cell phones, texting, eating, drinking, putting on make up etc while driving. I personally think this should be a universal ordinance.
djm12652
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 2:32 p.m.
"Sort of exploded" is that similar to "kinda caught on fire"?
treetowncartel
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 2:25 p.m.
"No one can eat just one!"
Adam
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.
How exactly does something "sort of" explode?
herbal_tea
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 2:05 p.m.
I thought this was about former U of M hoopster, Robert Traylor. Glad to know he is O.K!
Brian
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 2:05 p.m.
I drive I-94 E into work every day from home, and you have to be very aware of the potential for some idiot to suddenly swerve from one side of the highway to the other since folks don't seem to pay attention, despite the good signage. I've seen near-miss after near-miss. This might be distracted driving, but when it comes to that M-14 exit ramp, I say 'cave auriga' (driver beware).
Killroy
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 1:22 p.m.
Fiery flavor!!!
5c0++ H4d13y
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 12:48 p.m.
So some potato chips was worth risking several lives?