Jimcs50
09-15-2004, 03:18 PM
Drivers warned against overcrowding vehicles
By Terry Horne
[email protected]
September 13, 2004
A car packed with children, including three in the trunk, led to the arrest this weekend of an Indianapolis mother on preliminary child neglect charges.
Only hours later, a car crammed with kids crashed into another vehicle, with horrifying results.
Police say overloading cars with children is a recipe for disaster.
Unrestrained children can be hurtled like projectiles, and at Saturday's crash, where a 17-year-old was driving a small sedan with one adult and seven children inside, that may have been what happened, said Indianapolis Police Capt. Paul Whitehead, who was at the scene.
Ten people, including several from the other car, were hospitalized; three children were taken to Methodist Hospital in critical condition. The accident occurred about 7:50 p.m. on West 38th Street near Moller Road.
At least one child, a 6-year-old boy, remained in critical condition Sunday, said Indianapolis Police Sgt. Steve Staletovich.
Traffic investigators say the lack of restraints, however, isn't the only problem.
In a crowded car, the driver is more likely to be distracted and may not have sufficient room to control the car, Indianapolis Police Officer Wayne Sharp said.
In the earlier case Saturday, Marion County sheriff's deputies were able to prevent a tragedy.
About 1:25 p.m., someone reported to police that a woman had placed three small children in the trunk of her car and had driven away on Post Road. Moments later, Deputy Kenneth Anders spotted a Mercury Sable matching the description turning east on 10th Street.
He stopped the car and found seven people inside, including three children on passengers' laps. Three more children, ages 6, 7 and 8, were in the trunk.
The driver, Linda Crenshaw, told deputies she was taking her passengers to the movies or miniature golf or both and didn't want to make two trips.
The officers said Crenshaw's speech was slurred, and her breath smelled of alcohol. They also saw an empty brandy bottle in the car, according to the police report.
Crenshaw was charged with three counts of child neglect and driving while intoxicated; she was being held in the Marion County Jail on Sunday without bond after her initial hearing was continued until Wednesday, according to court records.Minivans and some sport utility vehicles allow more seating with proper restraints, although Sharp said such vehicles are not always an option for poorer families. In recent years, most tragic accidents in which he has seen overcrowding have involved pickups.
An Indianapolis Star analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records bears that out.
In 2003 in the United States, 100 people died in 48 accidents involving two- and three-door sedans and convertibles carrying six or more people, or in four-door sedans carrying seven or more people. The number of deaths includes people who died in other vehicles involved in the accidents.
In contrast, pickups carrying four or more people were involved in 320 fatal accidents in which 425 people were killed. While some of those pickups may have had seating for four, many had five or more occupants. One accident involved a pickup with 20 people aboard.
There also were 108 fatal accidents involving small SUVs with six or more people rather than the four or five most are designed to carry. In those accidents, 170 people died.
Throw this woman in jail and throw away the key.:flipoff
By Terry Horne
[email protected]
September 13, 2004
A car packed with children, including three in the trunk, led to the arrest this weekend of an Indianapolis mother on preliminary child neglect charges.
Only hours later, a car crammed with kids crashed into another vehicle, with horrifying results.
Police say overloading cars with children is a recipe for disaster.
Unrestrained children can be hurtled like projectiles, and at Saturday's crash, where a 17-year-old was driving a small sedan with one adult and seven children inside, that may have been what happened, said Indianapolis Police Capt. Paul Whitehead, who was at the scene.
Ten people, including several from the other car, were hospitalized; three children were taken to Methodist Hospital in critical condition. The accident occurred about 7:50 p.m. on West 38th Street near Moller Road.
At least one child, a 6-year-old boy, remained in critical condition Sunday, said Indianapolis Police Sgt. Steve Staletovich.
Traffic investigators say the lack of restraints, however, isn't the only problem.
In a crowded car, the driver is more likely to be distracted and may not have sufficient room to control the car, Indianapolis Police Officer Wayne Sharp said.
In the earlier case Saturday, Marion County sheriff's deputies were able to prevent a tragedy.
About 1:25 p.m., someone reported to police that a woman had placed three small children in the trunk of her car and had driven away on Post Road. Moments later, Deputy Kenneth Anders spotted a Mercury Sable matching the description turning east on 10th Street.
He stopped the car and found seven people inside, including three children on passengers' laps. Three more children, ages 6, 7 and 8, were in the trunk.
The driver, Linda Crenshaw, told deputies she was taking her passengers to the movies or miniature golf or both and didn't want to make two trips.
The officers said Crenshaw's speech was slurred, and her breath smelled of alcohol. They also saw an empty brandy bottle in the car, according to the police report.
Crenshaw was charged with three counts of child neglect and driving while intoxicated; she was being held in the Marion County Jail on Sunday without bond after her initial hearing was continued until Wednesday, according to court records.Minivans and some sport utility vehicles allow more seating with proper restraints, although Sharp said such vehicles are not always an option for poorer families. In recent years, most tragic accidents in which he has seen overcrowding have involved pickups.
An Indianapolis Star analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records bears that out.
In 2003 in the United States, 100 people died in 48 accidents involving two- and three-door sedans and convertibles carrying six or more people, or in four-door sedans carrying seven or more people. The number of deaths includes people who died in other vehicles involved in the accidents.
In contrast, pickups carrying four or more people were involved in 320 fatal accidents in which 425 people were killed. While some of those pickups may have had seating for four, many had five or more occupants. One accident involved a pickup with 20 people aboard.
There also were 108 fatal accidents involving small SUVs with six or more people rather than the four or five most are designed to carry. In those accidents, 170 people died.
Throw this woman in jail and throw away the key.:flipoff