Andy Gabrielson killed in traffic accident

[Gabe Garfield]

I am stunned and saddened by the loss of Andy Gabrielson. When I first heard the news on Saturday night, I couldn't believe it was true. How could this happen? I felt frazzled ... and then I felt numb. Even though I only met Andy once, I felt like I knew him through his videos and through his friends. And even more, there is something about sharing a passion for the sky that connects one to another without ever sharing the bond of friendship.

So, I feel, is the collective sentiment of the chase community during this time. We're a much bigger community than we were, but we're still small enough to share deeply in this sadness. In Andy's short chase career, he became one of the most successful chasers out there. His fearlessness may have been seen as recklessness, but no one could question his ability to find the tornado. Like so few chasers, he just had a knack for it. And even his critics admired the video he claimed during those close encounters. But from all accounts, it was his genuine, unaffected personality that makes this loss so profound. Andy the Chaser will be missed, but Andy the Person will be missed far more.

I feel that this is a reminder to all of us to be thankful for the safety that we've enjoyed while chasing. As David Hoadley mentioned, we often take the life we've been given for granted. But as this shows, it can be taken -- and very quickly. Our hobby demands that we increase our exposure to traffic hazards, and I'm afraid this won't be the last casualty of chasing. But we shouldn't live in fear of it. Wisdom calls us (rightly) to caution, but we should not let Fear slay our appetite for living.

 

[Sam Sagnella]

Rest in Peace.

Gabe, as well as many others, have truly summarized it best with their words.

With Andy's loss affecting the entire community, reflecting on this passion that has brought us all together in the first place (and that flowed SO freely from Andy) will hopefully serve as a initial bandage on a huge wound for the many that knew him personally. Without ever having met him, it is clear that he died doing something that he loved.

The sad reality, however, is that the countless hours on the road that chasers put in every year really do subject us to more of the ordinary road hazards that are always out there. Never take life for granted. Enjoy every day, every moment; especially every chase.

In the end, it is important to keep in mind no one ever really leaves us, as long as we never forget them.
Please - donate if you can.

 

[Rick Schmidt]

I did not get a chance to meet Andy, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching his awesome videos and his enthusiasm for chasing on the Weather Channel. He will be missed. His family is in my prayers. --Rick Schmidt

 

[J Tyler]

I'm in Lewisville just south of Denton where Andy was chasing the night before he lost his life. One of the local TV stations here in Dallas rode along with Andy, and did the following report.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Weat...as-looking-for-a-perfect-storm-138697989.html

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

I never met Andy G either. Would have liked to. Always liked his posts and his videos immensely. He had contributed a lot to this forum. He will be missed. His family is in my prayers.

 

[Terry L. Schenk]

I can remember talking with Andy by the side of the road as a group of us watched the Bowdle storm form back in 2010. He was a passionate chaser and a great guy. He will be missed.

 

[GlennMartin]

Very sorry to hear this and to such a young guy. Unfortunately never had the privilege to meet him. I also purchased some of his merchandise to show support to his family. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and many friends.

 

[Matt Gingery]

My heart goes out to Andy's family and friends. We will all miss you Andy. . .I just heard the news today, and it really hit me hard. I have no words to describe how important he was to all of us in the chaser community. He set the bar when it comes to epic tornado video. God Bless you Andy, and I know you will be smiling down on us all during the coming season.

 

[Rocky Rascovich]

Since I first heard the news Sat. evening.. I still find a good part of my day reflecting on the impact Andy has had on everyone, and myself. I've been very blessed to be acquainted with him, sure wish I knew him better. I'm continuing to pray for the family, friends and all who have been shaken by this tragedy. I'm interested in knowing if Severe Studios will be streaming the funeral live. May be a good idea if it's allowed, I probably have to work that day, maybe it could be archived for a brief time if it will be streamed.

 

[J Tyler]

My wife called it. The information on the other driver released.

http://www.newson6.com/story/166868...-victims-of-turner-turnpike-head-on-collision

OHP report is saying the guy got on the Creek turnpike at one of two locations. I've found one of them. If he got on at the site below, then that site does not have a "Wrong Way" sign at the entrance. There is a single, small one well up the off ramp, but not at the entrance.....

 

[Jeff Hawkins]

A horrid event like this just breaks my heart. I never met Andy personally, yet have viewed his videos and followed some of his streaming video on chases the past few years. In this hobby, we get to know people through their work and their sharing, which Andy did a lot. His loss affects all of us. So much future potential, so many opportunities that could have been, gone, because some guy chose to drive drunk. My prayers go out to the Gabrielson family, as well as the other victims in this time of deep loss.

 

[Drew.Gardonia]

prayers to his family and friends. RIP Andy.

 

[hduran]

My wife called it. The information on the other driver released.

http://www.newson6.com/story/166868...-victims-of-turner-turnpike-head-on-collision

OHP report is saying the guy got on the Creek turnpike at one of two locations. I've found one of them. If he got on at the site below, then that site does not have a "Wrong Way" sign at the entrance. There is a single, small one well up the off ramp, but not at the entrance.....

I know exactly where that is. That is the exit ramp at Jenks next to the new Quiktrip along Elm Street. If he really did get on at this point, it is beyond me how this guy got as far as he did. A half a mile down the road from here is a toll gate that he has to go through because it is in the middle of the road, and there are usually people working the toll booths. So someone there had to have witnessed him going the wrong way. Furthermore, the accident occurred between mile markers 215 and 218 on the East bound side of I-44 where the road begins to curve as it goes over Old Sapulpa Road and some railroad tracks. With this information, that means he traveled nearly 10 miles (9.7 miles) passing what had to be a busy highway in the middle of the day (03:45 p.m.), passing a toll gate occupied by workers only half a mile from where he began going the wrong way, and all before getting into that fatal wreck. I mean someone somewhere must have called the police. There must have been a breakdown in communication or something that allowed this man to travel through three different cities for nearly 10 miles before it ended. Reading more details coming from the OHP's report of the accident only makes me cringe to know that there is a possibility that he may have suffered noting that he was pinned for nearly an hour. It's all too much for me to wrap my head around. The fact that we lost one of this community's best, brightest, genuine, dedicated, and renowned storm chasers out there is too much for me to take in to begin with.

To the most accomplished man and greatest inspiration for all of us in the chaser community whom I never had the privilege to meet...may you rest in peace Andy.

 

[J Tyler]

If you use Google Earth to "drive" up the proposed path this guy took, it looks like the manned toll booths have been removed and replaced with the automated sensors for tolling.

 

[Matt Tottle]

My wife called it. The information on the other driver released.

http://www.newson6.com/story/166868...-victims-of-turner-turnpike-head-on-collision

OHP report is saying the guy got on the Creek turnpike at one of two locations. I've found one of them. If he got on at the site below, then that site does not have a "Wrong Way" sign at the entrance. There is a single, small one well up the off ramp, but not at the entrance.....

You don't need a Wrong Way sign to know that you can't go that way. You're not allowed to cross a painted 'wedge median' like that. See this is exactly why there should be no mercy and ZERO tolerance for people caught drunk driving. They don't learn, and innocent people have to suffer their wrath. Should be 10 years mandatory minimum with no parole/good behavior for the first offense, and death for the second. Period. People shouldn't be allowed to rack up DOZENS of DUI charges (and I KNOW they are out there, there was just a news story recently about DUI 'frequent fliers'). Make the first one really hurt and maybe it'll act as a deterrent..

And yes I'm bitter, because I know someone who was put into a coma for 4 months by a drunk driver. I'd like to take a baseball bat to the head of any moron who gets behind the wheel after drinking.