Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN

freedomgli · 08-16-2011, 08:44 AM

http://www.wjle.com/news/2011/nashvi...ning-car-crash

Quote:

An elderly Nashville woman died from injuries in a one car crash Saturday morning on Highway 70 east near the Gentleman's Club location.

Dead is 75 year old Gale Link of Nashville.

Link was a passenger of a 1997 Mazda Miata convertible, driven by 56 year old Eddie Doss also of Nashville. The top was down on the car at the time of the crash.

Central dispatch received the call at 10: 30 a.m.

Sergeant Mark Dial of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that Doss was traveling east on Highway 70 and lost control while negotiating a curve. The car skidded off the north side of the highway and rolled over crashing top first into a utility pole. Morning rains had made the pavement wet which could have contributed to the crash.

In addition to DeKalb EMS, members of the Midway, Short Mountain Highway, and the Extrication and Rescue Team of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department were summoned to the scene along with wrecker services from DeKalb Tire and Service, JR Motors, and Tim's Truck Service and Towing. The DeKalb County Sheriff's Department was also on the scene to help with traffic control.

Doss did not have to be extricated from the vehicle but Link was pinned in between the car and the pole. Tow trucks from all three local wrecker services were used to stabilize the car and then to pull it away from the pole so members of the extrication team could get to her. Link was removed from the car and taken by DeKalb EMS to the Midway fire station where a Life Force helicopter ambulance had landed to pick her up. However because her injuries were so serious, Link was instead taken on to DeKalb Community Hospital by ground ambulance. After being stabilized, Link was then airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital, where she later died. Doss was taken to DeKalb Community Hospital by DeKalb EMS but he wasn't believed to have been seriously hurt.

Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department wish to thank DeKalb Tire and Service, JR Motors, and Tim's Truck Service and Towing for their valuable assistance in the extrication of Ms Link from the car.

Although the investigation continues, Sergeant Dial reports no evidence of drugs or alcohol. Link's death marks the second traffic fatality of the year on DeKalb County roads.

RIP.

Miatas have zero roof crush integrity but I wonder what vehicle could have withstood such an impact. Telephone poles are people killers. Drive safe out there.

demoniam · 08-16-2011, 09:01 AM

ow, that sucks

kung fu jesus · 08-16-2011, 09:47 AM

rollbar could have possibly saved her. odd crash, though.

Cota_Trials · 08-16-2011, 09:53 AM

a cage maybe, but with just a roll bar, it would have had to hit just right....but OP is right telephone poles are killers...

YellowYata · 08-16-2011, 09:56 AM

Wow, that's terrible! Roll bar might have changed the dynamics of the roll. Nevertheless, that car is wrapped around the poll in a way a roll bar wouldn't have mattered. I mean, it literally collapses the car exactly in the passenger area where there is no roll bar protection. Strange that the driver wasn't considered seriously hurt and sad that he's going to have to live with this on his conscience.

DazedAndConfused · 08-16-2011, 09:59 AM

I should use this picture to help sell my Cusco cage when it comes time.

atlnb · 08-16-2011, 10:09 AM

Dicker · 08-16-2011, 10:29 AM

That's just bad luck right there. Hopefully she had a full life

morr · 08-16-2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cota_Trials

a cage maybe, but with just a roll bar, it would have had to hit just right....but OP is right telephone poles are killers...

^I worry about that even with my roll bar.

RIP

TheFrohn · 08-16-2011, 10:46 AM

wow that is like the worst way that couldve happened, driver is lucky to have survived... sad stuff

RedemPhex · 08-16-2011, 10:51 AM

uhhh, whats with all the advertising in the news article? pretty disrespectful if you ask me.

terry pham · 08-16-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedemPhex

uhhh, whats with all the advertising in the news article? pretty disrespectful if you ask me.

+1, exactly on my thoughts. especiaaly thanking others too. do that personally, argh.

YellowYata · 08-16-2011, 11:27 AM

Well, judging by the writing style and journalistic errors, it's probably written by some part-time youngun looking into journalism as a major at the local community college. Also consider the tiny community culture where the other big news headline is that a guy stole batteries from the same place three times in a row and sold them to a recycle center.

freedomgli · 08-16-2011, 11:39 AM

I dunno, I think it's nice to thank the people that help clean up the mess made by other people. Do you really have a problem taking one sentence in a small town news article to thank the first responders who helped in the rescue mission?

YellowYata · 08-16-2011, 11:46 AM

Me? I certainly don't. It's completely culturally acceptable there. Not to diverge from the subject too much but when travelling, I really enjoy picking up the local paper at the diner I'm resting at and reading stories like "Hank over at the Lonely Horseshoe ranch has extra roosters for anyone who wants them for free" kind of stories. Their police blotters are even more entertaining. Small town or community papers often refer to people by their first name.

Civiclydumped · 08-17-2011, 09:32 PM

This wasn't on the major news media around here. (nashville) This is terrible. Our roads to get pretty slick in the rain. I guess the pavement they use has more oil in it but I hate driving my car in the rain around here. Its really tail happy.

aarrowadscom · 08-17-2011, 10:03 PM

I'm surprised the OP isn't on the typical "meh, I don't feel sorry, they deserved it" rants when someone dies from a poorly made decision. Oh wait, maybe the person has to be young and successful. That whole haterz gonna hate thing.

ThatWhiteNA · 08-17-2011, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DazedAndConfused

I should use this picture to help sell my Cusco cage when it comes time.

Nice... Let this woman dying be a lesson to you!

It just goes to show that you never know when you'll roll over. My GF and I are a big roll bar advocates for just this reason. You never know. It probably wouldn't have helped in their particular case, but this isn't a game of what if. It's a shame. The look on the face of the worker in the bottommost pic says it all.

XCLR8TN · 08-17-2011, 10:20 PM

Oh, shit. Of all the ways to hit that pole... :/

RIP

Ham · 08-17-2011, 10:22 PM

This is terrible :/

I'm keeping my hardtop ON the car. Need to get me a harness too.

capitalcrew · 08-17-2011, 10:30 PM

I doubt either would have helped in this situation.

Lithopedian · 08-17-2011, 11:19 PM

Wow, literally just drove on that road a few hours ago. She must have really been flying downhill to lose control there.

RIP

LoveMiata · 08-17-2011, 11:25 PM

Scary but RIP

clos561 · 08-18-2011, 09:39 AM

when it rains i drive extra slow. these cars break lose when you least expect it.

demoniam · 08-18-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clos561

when it rains i drive extra slow. these cars break lose when you least expect it.

QFT!

freedomgli · 08-18-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aarrowadscom

I'm surprised the OP isn't on the typical "meh, I don't feel sorry, they deserved it" rants when someone dies from a poorly made decision. Oh wait, maybe the person has to be young and successful. That whole haterz gonna hate thing.

It typically takes more than a car crash involving a total stranger to evoke a feeling of sorrow. But I'm more desensitized to it than most people because of what I see on daily basis in my professional occupation. Unless the passenger got into a car with someone they knew to be drunk, high on illicit drugs, mentally unstable/suicidal, etc. it's hard to say they deserved what they got. Rather they appear to be a victim of an unfortunate tragedy. The driver will forever live with the guilt of his mistake. I see this crash incident as more of a reminder to drive sensibly on public roads.

iRoadster · 08-18-2011, 01:14 PM

I like how the article states that "the top was down at the time" like it would have make a speck of difference. Even if it had a hardtop it probably would have still done them in.
And it always floors me when things like this say things like, "morning rains may have contributed to the crash," or "speed might have been a factor in the crash."
They never say "the driver was an idiot and was knowingly doing something they shouldn't have."

ThatWhiteNA · 08-18-2011, 05:20 PM

^Because they don't want the wrath of the surviving families. lol

ScarfaceThe91 · 08-18-2011, 05:32 PM

Looks like one of those "one in a million" type scenarios. Unfortunate.

calebbel · 08-18-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarfaceThe91

Looks like one of those "one in a million" type scenarios. Unfortunate.

Very true I don't think any car would have survived that

08-16-2011, 09:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
kung fu jesus Ninja Messiah Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: RDU, NC Posts: 5,894	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN rollbar could have possibly saved her. odd crash, though.
	__________________ I ♣ baby seals.

08-16-2011, 09:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
Cota_Trials Noob Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Alabama Coast Posts: 20	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN a cage maybe, but with just a roll bar, it would have had to hit just right....but OP is right telephone poles are killers...

08-16-2011, 09:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
YellowYata Supporting Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Port Charlotte, FL Posts: 1,146	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN Wow, that's terrible! Roll bar might have changed the dynamics of the roll. Nevertheless, that car is wrapped around the poll in a way a roll bar wouldn't have mattered. I mean, it literally collapses the car exactly in the passenger area where there is no roll bar protection. Strange that the driver wasn't considered seriously hurt and sad that he's going to have to live with this on his conscience.
	__________________ 2002 Blazing Yellow The Gearheads Miata Club Forum

08-16-2011, 09:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
DazedAndConfused Esteemed Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fort Swag Posts: 5,191	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN I should use this picture to help sell my Cusco cage when it comes time.

08-16-2011, 10:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dicker Esteemed Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino Hills CA Posts: 3,413	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN That's just bad luck right there. Hopefully she had a full life
	__________________ Car Make Kinod

08-16-2011, 10:46 AM	#10 (permalink)
TheFrohn Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southgate, MI Posts: 251	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN wow that is like the worst way that couldve happened, driver is lucky to have survived... sad stuff
	__________________ 2005 Mazdaspeed Miata - Lava Orange #225 2013 Jeep Wrangler - Gecko Green

08-16-2011, 10:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
RedemPhex Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NC Posts: 2,325	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN uhhh, whats with all the advertising in the news article? pretty disrespectful if you ask me.

08-16-2011, 11:27 AM	#13 (permalink)
YellowYata Supporting Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Port Charlotte, FL Posts: 1,146	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN Well, judging by the writing style and journalistic errors, it's probably written by some part-time youngun looking into journalism as a major at the local community college. Also consider the tiny community culture where the other big news headline is that a guy stole batteries from the same place three times in a row and sold them to a recycle center.
	__________________ 2002 Blazing Yellow The Gearheads Miata Club Forum

08-16-2011, 11:39 AM	#14 (permalink)
freedomgli Supporting Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 12,192	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN I dunno, I think it's nice to thank the people that help clean up the mess made by other people. Do you really have a problem taking one sentence in a small town news article to thank the first responders who helped in the rescue mission?
	__________________

08-16-2011, 11:46 AM	#15 (permalink)
YellowYata Supporting Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Port Charlotte, FL Posts: 1,146	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN Me? I certainly don't. It's completely culturally acceptable there. Not to diverge from the subject too much but when travelling, I really enjoy picking up the local paper at the diner I'm resting at and reading stories like "Hank over at the Lonely Horseshoe ranch has extra roosters for anyone who wants them for free" kind of stories. Their police blotters are even more entertaining. Small town or community papers often refer to people by their first name.
	__________________ 2002 Blazing Yellow The Gearheads Miata Club Forum

08-17-2011, 09:32 PM	#16 (permalink)
Civiclydumped Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn Posts: 383	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN This wasn't on the major news media around here. (nashville) This is terrible. Our roads to get pretty slick in the rain. I guess the pavement they use has more oil in it but I hate driving my car in the rain around here. Its really tail happy.
	__________________ 2005 VRM Mazdaspeed MX-5 #929 - Weekend Fun A few minor upgrades... 1971 Opel GT - EuroTrash Project...

08-17-2011, 10:20 PM	#19 (permalink)
XCLR8TN Speed Racer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Munroe Falls, OH Posts: 4,614	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN Oh, shit. Of all the ways to hit that pole... :/ RIP
	__________________ _Jess_ 1991 White Mazda Miata DD 1991 BRG Mazda Miata LS6 swap coming soon (getting close!) http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/89-roadster-projects/33687-91-brg-ls6-build.html

08-17-2011, 10:22 PM	#20 (permalink)
Ham Cat Jesus Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 4,041	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN This is terrible :/ I'm keeping my hardtop ON the car. Need to get me a harness too.
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08-17-2011, 11:19 PM	#22 (permalink)
Lithopedian Noob Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: TN Posts: 14	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN Wow, literally just drove on that road a few hours ago. She must have really been flying downhill to lose control there. RIP

08-17-2011, 11:25 PM	#23 (permalink)
LoveMiata Noob Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 45	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN Scary but RIP
LoveMiata Noob Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 45

08-18-2011, 09:39 AM	#24 (permalink)
clos561 Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Royal Palm Beach, Fl Posts: 293	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN when it rains i drive extra slow. these cars break lose when you least expect it.
	__________________ I own a 99 Miata

08-18-2011, 01:14 PM	#27 (permalink)
iRoadster Closed Shell Syndrome Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oh Lim Pee Ahh Posts: 5,137	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN I like how the article states that "the top was down at the time" like it would have make a speck of difference. Even if it had a hardtop it probably would have still done them in. And it always floors me when things like this say things like, "morning rains may have contributed to the crash," or "speed might have been a factor in the crash." They never say "the driver was an idiot and was knowingly doing something they shouldn't have."

08-18-2011, 05:32 PM	#29 (permalink)
ScarfaceThe91 Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Smack dab in the middle of hill-jack Kentucky. Posts: 2,178	Re: Fatal Miata Crash in Dekalb Co. TN Looks like one of those "one in a million" type scenarios. Unfortunate.

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