Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How soon until they know an official cause?

Maryland is a no fault state, so we might never know. The police aren't going to the press with the forensics now or later. BTW, they already have everything - witness statements, engine recorder info, spoke with survivors.

No forensics? Wow, that seems pretty incredible given that 3 people died in this crash. I would assume that accident reconstruction would be standard procedure in a tragedy like this.

Being a no fault state is irrelevant. The police will conduct a thorough forensics examination in order to determine whether any charges will be filed. The won't be able to say whether one or the other was reckless or negligent without an investigation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't stop thinking about this tragedy, perhaps because I know some of the players, or perhaps because I'm a parent. One very odd question...when someone is taken to the hospital unconscious, how are loved ones found? In the example of this poor child that lived, how do they track down her extended family to come care for her? So heartbreaking.

Usually in high profile cases like this the extended family reaches out to the hospital/police. Hospitals and police will also use phone records to track down someone and find out who next of kin is.

I'm wondering if the police got a hold of the school after checking the license/registration info to see if they could get emergency contact info there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How soon until they know an official cause?

Maryland is a no fault state, so we might never know. The police aren't going to the press with the forensics now or later. BTW, they already have everything - witness statements, engine recorder info, spoke with survivors.

No forensics? Wow, that seems pretty incredible given that 3 people died in this crash. I would assume that accident reconstruction would be standard procedure in a tragedy like this.

Anonymous wrote:I don't get how all three died from a hit and ending up in a ditch. I'm assuming the other car only hit one side. They didn't crash after, only landed in a ditch. So the airbags killed them?

A side impact is the worst kind of crash. Most safety systems are designed for head on collisions. You don't have to be hit very hard for a side impact to be fatal. The NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt died in a crash that looked very minor -- but his car hit the barrier on the side. Some cars now have side airbags, but I don't think they are as effective as the front ones.

Anonymous wrote:I can't stop thinking about this tragedy, perhaps because I know some of the players, or perhaps because I'm a parent. One very odd question...when someone is taken to the hospital unconscious, how are loved ones found? In the example of this poor child that lived, how do they track down her extended family to come care for her? So heartbreaking.

Usually in high profile cases like this the extended family reaches out to the hospital/police. Hospitals and police will also use phone records to track down someone and find out who next of kin is.

Anonymous wrote:How soon until they know an official cause?

Maryland is a no fault state, so we might never know. The police aren't going to the press with the forensics now or later. BTW, they already have everything - witness statements, engine recorder info, spoke with survivors.

I can't stop thinking about this tragedy, perhaps because I know some of the players, or perhaps because I'm a parent. One very odd question...when someone is taken to the hospital unconscious, how are loved ones found? In the example of this poor child that lived, how do they track down her extended family to come care for her? So heartbreaking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry if this has been asked, but why not close off the turn? There are protected turns at Wilson and Whittier.

Why not put a traffic signal there?

Because it is a major commuting thoroughfare. And traffic lights can increase accidents.

And every traffic light costs ca. 300K.

Circa is only used to approximate time and dates.

Sorry but that's like the third time I've seen it on here lately, it isn't correct!

In the meantime, perhaps you could try using the word "like" correctly?

Apparently the issue was looked at again in 2008:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Traffic_policy_WBethesda/conversations/topics/129

More details here on a 2003 study

http://www.gazette.net/gazette_archive/2003/200319/bethesda/news/157203-1.html

Some good background on previous studies at the intersection:

http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/Web-2016/Whitman-High-School-Student-Starts-Petition-for-Traffic-Signal-at-Site-of-Deadly-Crash/?ver=1456771969

Anonymous wrote:How soon until they know an official cause?

Typically a couple of weeks for preliminary. Can be a couple of months if criminal charges are contemplated. Think of the length of time it took for the accident with the drunk driver killing the PO...that took about 5 weeks even with an on site admin of a test which he failed.

The police will take all the time they need here so I wouldn't expect anything soon unless they decide no charges will be filed.

DOT videotaping the intersection right now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I drive this road all the time; a change in speed limit truly isn't required - there are no sidewalks along River, few residences that abut the road and huge medians throughout. The few schools on River have entrances well into their property and no child is at risk right at the roadside. What is needed is a LIGHT at this particular spot.

I don't think a light is needed. I don't think there is enough traffic crossing at most times during the day and I think it is too close to the light at Wilson. I think they should just close the median. I don't think anyone needs to go across River Road there.

Nobody NEEDS to use River Road at all, except for the people/facilities with driveways off it. Plenty of people WANT to use River Road, though. And plenty of people evidently want to use that intersection.

Ha ha ha! What?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry if this has been asked, but why not close off the turn? There are protected turns at Wilson and Whittier.

Why not put a traffic signal there?

Because it is a major commuting thoroughfare. And traffic lights can increase accidents.

And every traffic light costs ca. 300K.

That's $100,000 per life. I think it's worth it. Don't you?

The value of a statistical life is usually estimated in the millions of dollars.