Speeding Leaves Two Dead in Seal Beach Crash
Posted by
IB ContributorMay 29, 2007 12:13 PMTwo Long Beach residents were killed in a fiery traffic accident May 20 on Pacific Coast Highway in Seal Beach, which authorities say was caused by speed, according to an article in The Orange County Register.
Last week, officials released the victims' names, identifying them as Grisna Meas, 17, and 52-year-old Rick Vetter. A third victim suffered non life-threatening injuries. Crash investigators determined that alcohol or street-racing were not factors in this crash.
The accident occurred at about 6:35 p.m. in the 15900 block of PCH when a Honda, a BMW, a Ford sport utility vehicle and a Mercedes Benz collided. Officials sid 20-year-old Daneshio Lankford, who was driving east on PCH, lost control of his Honda and crossed over into oncoming traffic, the Register article said. Lankford's car slammed into the BMW, causing it to burst into flames. Vetter, the driver of that car, died instantly, officials said. Grisna, Lankford's passenger, also died on the scene. Lankford himself suffered a broken leg and arm and was transported to Long Beach Memorial Hospital, according to the report.
Officials are saying that speeding was probably what caused Lankford to lose control of his vehicle triggering the chain reaction crash. Traffic was snarled on PCH, which was closed for several hours that night between Anderson Street on the south and Seal Beach Boulevard on the north, according to the Register article. Seal Beach police and California Highway Patrol officials are investigating the crash.
Speed kills and that's the truth. According to the Insurance Information Network of California speed influences drivers by reducing the reaction time they need to avoid crashes and also increases the risk of injury or death. Higher speeds also reduce the ability of vehicles and restraint systems to protect the vehicle's occupants. According to research done by IINC, crash severity increases disproportionately with vehicle speed. So a frontal impact a 35 mph is one-third more violent than one at 30 mph.
The injuries, loss and heartache that come out such an incident are just not worth the thrill someone might experience from speeding. It's a cheap thrill with terribly costly consequences.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident caused by a negligent or drunk driver or a defective, product, contact me for a free consultation