Storm chaser involved in fatal accident

[rdale]

Agreed. The charges won't change because he was distracted due to storm chasing.

 

[Todd Lemery]

I feel horrible for the affected families. To lose loved ones who were simply driving down a straight stretch of road is horrible. That said, regardless if the accident was caused by activities related to storm chasing, the entire community is suffering another black eye every a reporter mentions storms chasing.
He could have suffered a mini seizure right before the stop sign and it would unfortunately still shed a negative light on all chasers just by the process of association.
I'm sure most of us, including myself, have not exactly (to put it mildly) stopped for every stop sign. Having a good chase partner watching out for traffic on their side and calling out the traffic status is a great asset to everyone's safety regardless if the driver comes to a complete and full stop or not. That's in contrast to the partner who says nothing while leaning forward and blocking your view while they look down the road.

 

[Bob Hartig]

The press story I read indicates a willingness on the part of the media to link storm chasing to causality. It's not surprising. Chasing captures media attention in a way that more prosaic activities such as softball games and graduation parties don't. There's obviously no innate connection between chasing and high-risk driving, any more than there is between fishing and boating accidents. It remains to be seen whether there was any connection in this chaser's case. Irresponsible driving while chasing, or at any time, is a choice, not an inevitability. A lot of people speed, period, and as for running a stop sign, that isn't always a flagrant disregard of the law; sometimes it's just a mistake

That being said, realistically, how many chasers drive at high speeds in adverse conditions when they're in chase mode? I've done it, and I've been partner to other drivers doing it. And with Rob (Forry), I've witnessed firsthand the sickening shock and disbelief of watching an inescapable situation unfold in front of me. This present event brings back haunting memories. Thank God, most truly, that no one was killed or even seriously injured that day. But that doesn't mean we walked away Scott-free; I lost my car and sustained cracked ribs which caused me severe pain for a couple weeks, and the other guys were hurting as well. It could have been a lot worse, though, and I am beyond glad that none of the innocent people in the other vehicle were injured.

Personal consequences aside, such incidents can reflect on storm chasing as a whole, whether rightly or wrongly, fairly or unfairly in any single situation. It's one thing for the public to think chasers are crazy for pursuing tornadoes. It's an entirely different thing for people to think chasers are crazy because of their driving and the attitudes they display on the highway. That image, once established, is hard to correct, and it has ramifications that can conceivably affect the future of chasing

 

[Royce Sheibal]

This event may have little to nothing to do with storm chasing, or distracted driving. It may just be how he learned to drive. It's common practice among rural Nebraskans (and other residents of nearby states) to run stop signs if you don't see a car coming on either side of the road. Not to say that it's right, but most, and I emphasize, MOST, rural drivers that I know do not stop at stop signs, they just go right through like nothing is there. As a city-boy (Omaha?) and storm chaser I make sure to stop at every sign, and I even slow down at intersections where I don't have to stop. Several friends of friends have been killed because of the "Nebraskans don't stop at stop signs" issue, and it's a cultural issue that needs to be addressed.

 

[Jeff Duda]

Whether intentional or not, ignorance is not an excuse for breaking the law. Even when chasing off-pavement on a dirt grid, you have to know there will be intersections ahead of you, and you should assume SOMEONE will be told to stop in some way. Even if there are unmarked intersections, you'd have to be pretty absent minded not to consider the possibility that there may be someone else trying to cross that intersection at any time. Intersections at any sort of highway or main arterial road would certainly be marked. Also there are certainly intersections out there with posted stop signs that are masked by overgrown trees and whatnot, but it's still irresponsible to not even look around to check for other traffic before proceeding through (at a slowed speed). I see from the narrative and Google Maps that there was a stop sign on Co. Rd. 27 at Co. Rd. 1, and it does not appear to have been covered or masked by vegetation or any other obstacles. Regardless, IMO there's no excuse for blowing through a stop sign (or red light for that matter) because you weren't looking for it.

Unless the facts change, I think Matt is in for a world of hurt legally. Barring some sort of sudden medical illness like a heart attack, seizure, or other sort of issue that made him lose consciousness and/or control of the vehicle, I don't see him getting out of some very serious charges and jail time.

 

[Robert Forry]

This event may have little to nothing to do with storm chasing, or distracted driving. It may just be how he learned to drive. It's common practice among rural Nebraskans (and other residents of nearby states) to run stop signs if you don't see a car coming on either side of the road. Not to say that it's right, but most, and I emphasize, MOST, rural drivers that I know do not stop at stop signs, they just go right through like nothing is there. As a city-boy (Omaha?) and storm chaser I make sure to stop at every sign, and I even slow down at intersections where I don't have to stop. Several friends of friends have been killed because of the "Nebraskans don't stop at stop signs" issue, and it's a cultural issue that needs to be addressed.

Royce - that happens everywhere, not just NE. I was raised a city boy but have lived in rural parts of TX, TN, and most recently southern MI and none of the locals in the boonies stop. It's going to be intersting to see how this unfolds.

 

[Sean Ramsey]

Unless the facts change, I think Matt is in for a world of hurt legally. Barring some sort of sudden medical illness like a heart attack, seizure, or other sort of issue that made him lose consciousness and/or control of the vehicle, I don't see him getting out of some very serious charges and jail time.

Not to mention a lifetime of heartache and guilt for the victims and their families impacted.

 

[NealRasmussen]

Ignorant of the circumstances, I will say I blew a stop sign right through in 2012. A rural town perhaps in the Enid, OK area. I was driving east and the cell was behind me. Quite a few chasers, but not a herd. Small pack. I was quite out ahead of anyone behind, but not road rally speeding, and slowed to like 45-50 on the south side of this town. Saw a crossroad and checked both directions at least twice. Looks clear. Had probably slowed to 40. Saw the octagon about 20-30 ft from the intersection. Didn't even touch the brakes. Glad I'd checked both directions well. The stop sign was covered by a hanging small tree limb. Nor did I see the apposing direction's one. Perhaps it blended in with the grey background of the storm. Pain both sides with the reflective red? I've wondered for years.

Drive around OK a bit. You'll see this time and time again. You'd think the local proud lumberjack in the area would just get his butt out of the pickup truck, whip out the buck knife... ? Noooo. Not his job, right?

Also many places have no "stop ahead" sign. Might have used to be there, but not anymore. Come over a hill and 20 yds to the T intersection or stop sign. Driving in the rural midwest makes me wonder if State Farm gives a hoot. (Of course they don't. They're going to make 10%, regardless.)

Dear State of OKie. Mobile app? Google map, find location, if your car icon isn't already GPS positioned to that area. Place a marker. Fill in the reason: 1) No stop sign 2) cant see stop sign 3) need a stop ahead sign 4) pothole 5) road's so damn rough cause the county commissioner has a new _______, you just broke my car

And I don't think it's chase in many accidents. It's driving. So don't push your speeds. TV Chasers excepted of course. Go ahead and pass me at 85 in a 65 when the cell is 30 miles away. Or 90 miles away.

 

[Lanny Dean]

Learned about this on Monday and I have kept pretty mum about this for obvious reasons. Chatted very briefly with him yesterday.... heartbreaking deal for ALL parties involved -including Matt. I have known Matt for a number of years. Certainly haven't always seen eye to eye with him but this is a horrible situation for anyone and I truly feel for him as well as the family. Just like everyone else, I wasn't there so my next statement should not be taken out of context - I have no idea if Matt was distracted or how the situation unfolded but I suspect that we are all guilty of some type of distraction or another while chasing....it is the nature of the beast. But just to clarify, he was chasing. In fact, he uploaded a video to his FB account at 9:01PM. The accident was reported to happen just after 9PM.


I am very surprised the media as a whole hasn't jumped all over this thing yet, maybe it's because of the time of year, maybe it's because the local paper didn't pay their AP dues....I have no idea, but I am sure it's coming with due time. In all their infinite wisdom, the media reported some inaccurate information regarding distance to storms (go figure) not that that has any bearing on the outcome or the situation but it should probably be noted. As unfortunate as it is, the persona that has engulfed Storm Chasing within the mainstream media is what's going to carry this story, and likely will play some kind of role in it's direct outcome in one way or another I am afraid.

I can't/won't comment on the specifics because again, I wasn't there, but I feel a genuine sorrow for the family and for Matt. I have no idea what he is going through and certainly don't want to ever know, but I suspect it is sorrow, guilt, and all those raw emotions. Some of which we don't ever truly come back from.

As far as the legal aspect, none of us really have any clue as to how this will unfold, but @Dan Robinson hit the nail on the head with is post about distracted fatality accidents. Two years ago I served jury duty on such a case....woman driver plows over a guy on a motorcycle who was trying to make a left turn ultimately killing the driver of the motorcycle. The DA listed the root cause as distracted driving due to texting. However after taking blood samples just after the accident, she was also charged with driving under the influence. Apparently the woman had taken some type of cold medicine the evening before and it was found to still be in her system. Charges included vehicular manslaughter, negligent homicide, driving under the influence, texting while driving and a host of other charges.
After a two week trial and a 19 hour deliberate, she was found guilty of all listed charges. Sentencing included 15 years jail time with parole chances after 10 years and restitution of thousands of dollars. The judge called this a "light sentence"

I have no idea how this is going to pan out legally but I would imagine that it won't be easy. As Dan has said, this usually doesn't go well for anybody involved...my sincere thoughts go out to the family and to Matt.

 

[Paul Knightley]

Here in the UK, it's been illegal to use a handheld mobile phone for a number of years (i.e. holding it, rather than using Bluetooth, etc), and this includes sending texts, etc. I've noticed that parts of the US have started catching up, citing no texting, etc, outside schools. The point is this all harks to not using devices whilst driving - now, nobody's perfect, and I'm not about to start preaching when I think all here are of the same view...but we all have to remember that when we're driving, we're driving - this is the single most important thing at that moment. I certainly didn't appreciate this so much as a younger/newer driver, but with some years and plenty of miles under my belt I think my approach has changed quite a bit.

 

[John Erwin]

While I try to always follow the "rules of the road" when I'm out there, there have been times when I've caught myself being distracted when things get hairy. It's events such as this that highlight the need to re-examine the way we do things and adjust if necessary.

My heart goes out to everyone affected by this.

 

[ngjere]

Truly a sad situation for all involved. And will no doubt have far reaching effects for those of us that chase regularly in that area. The husband and wife killed in the wreck were very active and well known in the community. There is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Gingery will be charged and yes, chasing will become the focus and argued as the causation to any county attorney looking for a quick, solid conviction.

 

[Warren Faidley]

Very sad story indeed. I have no doubt "storm chasing" will be a part of the prosecutor's argument. By injecting that the driver was distracted by the storm and what ever else they may discover (distraction by cell phone, etc.), it just adds to the overall negative theme. Given the current "negative" attitude towards storm chasing (remember "who cares"?) this is a problem for him and all chasers. However, we don't know all the facts: Was the stop sign visible? Was there a mechanical failure? I'd be cautious until all the facts are known and not throw him under the bus. This could have been anyone who was distracted, not just a chaser -- a farmer, a teen, etc., but the media will likely go wild with this and all the old videos of chasers doing stupid things will come to the surface again. This is a hard lesson for everyone that distractions can be deadly. Very sad for everyone involved.

 

[NealRasmussen]

Oh, the things I've seen! People texting with no hands on the wheel. Rolling right turns on red lights, some hardly slowing, certainly not looking right first. Speeding nearly 2X the posted speed limit. Tailgating at about 0.25 sec distance. Cutting turns where the car crosses over the wrong lane. Nearly hitting pedestrians!

Oh. Sorry. Not chasers. This is at the corner outside my apartment at Alameda and Crestland Dr! Norman. A school zone!

Seriously though. I find most drivers around Norman far more dangerous than me on an F3. Oh sure, I've seen some chasers do some really dumb and dangerous stuff. And am prolly included in that a time or two. But older now.

 

[Dan Robinson]

A news article is out now that implicates the intersection as having a dangerous configuration. Apparently locals have complained about it, and another fatal crash occurred there in 2012.

http://www.wctrib.com/news/local/3799146-kandiyohi-county-plans-changes-intersection-fatal-crash