On June 22, witnesses to the accident report that a speeding black Pontiac ran a red light and struck the minivan carrying the five family members around 11:00 a.m. The van was struck so hard it was violently pushed into a truck that was stopped at the light. The accident involved multiple vehicles.
Inside the van were Geoff, Christy and Rebecca Hart with their two foster children, all of which were mortally wounded. The names of the foster children have not been released to news agencies. The driver of the Pontiac is in critical condition.
Members of the Custer Road United Methodist Church are devastated by this tragedy. EMS responders say it is one of the worst accidents they have responded to.
Do not run red lights and be cautious through yellow lights. To prevent serious accidents, pay attention at intersections, you may assume that someone will run a red light at any time. Be very cautious at intersections. Eighty percent of injurious or fatal accidents on the road occur at intersections. And the risk of an accident is greatest within four seconds of a light change. If you are at a stop light, confirm that drivers appear to be braking for their red light before you accelerate into the intersection.
We rely on our automobiles for transporting our children to their sports and scouting activities, doctor appointments and schools. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2 – 14 years of age is motor vehicle accidents (http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810803.PDF). Motor vehicle accidents are also the leading cause of acquired disability in children. Children make up approximately 5% of the accident fatalities. Approximately 6 children are killed and 700 children are injured every day in car crashes. Nearly 21% of children that are killed in car accidents die from drivers that are operating vehicles while over the legal blood alcohol level. And nearly half the deceased children that are killed by drunk drivers were intoxicated passengers at the time of the accidents (http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/childpas.htm & http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5304a2.htm & http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/2002chdfacts.pdf