Melanie Birge is rattled.
The Independence Inc. transportation provider was driving a disabled client to the Kansas City Veterans Affairs Hospital on Thursday morning, when she said the company van they were in was pummeled by a landscaping stone that weighed between 50 and 100 pounds.
"It was very scary," Birge said Friday. "It just came right at me out of nowhere."
Five or six of the heavy stones fell off a flatbed truck traveling west down a hill on the Old Farmer's Turnpike, North 1800 Road, near East 900th Road, Birge said. She said one of the stones hit her westbound 2005 Dodge Caravan and punctured a tire on a car traveling behind her. No one was injured.
Birge said the incident caused the Independence Inc. van, which received damage to the driver's side hood area, to die.
"I'm very thankful that it hit where it did," Birge said. "If it was just a little higher : it could've severed me."
She said the truck, which didn't stop, was a mid-to-early 80s two-toned dark blue Ford.
Douglas County sheriff's deputies took a report on the incident and searched the area for the truck, but couldn't find it, said spokesman Lt. Doug Woods. Unless new information surfaces, Woods said the investigation in the case is "pretty much done."
The accident was the second in three weeks for Independence Inc., a nonprofit independent living center that provides services - including advocacy, information and referral, daily living skills training, computer training, transportation, employment services and assistive technology - for people with disabilities. Another company van was involved in a June 24 crash near 23rd and Iowa streets.
"We're pretty frustrated," said Tonya Dorf Brunner, executive director.
The company has backup vans, but she said they're older and more costly to drive and maintain.
The company receives funding from the county, state and federal governments, but it also accepts donations. Dorf Brunner said those wishing to help defray the cost of the insurance deductible or the extra cost of gas necessary to drive the older backup vans, may send donations to the agency, 2001 Haskell Ave., Lawrence 66046.
Comments
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xbusguy (chris Ogle) says…
Sorry to hear about this. My check (not much) is in the mail. Indy Inc, provides a much needed service. I wish you the best. Hang in there.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
Have to wonder how closely she was following the trailer. Obviously, tailgating would not mean she deserved to have the van hit by the rocks--it just might partially explain what happened. Glad nobody was hurt.
classclown (Class Clown) says…
Pywacket (Anonymous) says:Have to wonder how closely she was following the trailer. Obviously, tailgating would not mean she deserved to have the van hit by the rocks-it just might partially explain what happened.=============================As per the story and the article, the truck was in the other lane going the opposite direction. So as far as your tailgating theory goes, there is nothing to wonder about.
KS (anonymous) says…
That's what one has insurance for. Use it and get on with life. I suspect this non-profit has the money to make the repairs. They are not paying any taxes. Why is this a front page story?
xbusguy (chris Ogle) says…
When you tranport people for hire, Insurance is mighty hard to get. Collision insurance is sky-high, and only used for major losses. Even then you risk non-renewal. Insurance Companys exist to make money, period. They don't want the exposure to lawsuits, and if you transport people, the exposure is high.
Ohyasee (anonymous) says…
Sadly LJWorld had it wrong, I was heading west down the road he was traveling east, the stone came right at me, sorry to disapoint but I was not tail gating.If anyone know who was hauling these stones Thursday morning please contact the Police.
capricorn70 (anonymous) says…
Sharon Stone told me it was KarmaBTW...This story rocks
jackpot (anonymous) says…
classclown: truck going West, Van going West, Car going West. Back to pywacket was she tail gating or getting ready to try to pass?
jackpot (anonymous) says…
sorry classclown my bad. I read the story first I just played the story. Now do trust your eyes or yours ears?
yellowhouse (anonymous) says…
An uninsured drunk driver hit my truck, and they would only pay a percentage of the damage. The rest will be given if they collect from the other driver. The insurance did not cover my damages.
TheOriginalCA (anonymous) says…
Subcontractors (and Transmasters) are notorious for negligence. I speculate that this driver was either uninsured, unregistered, or both. I have lost count of how many times my windshields have been chipped by rocks coming from uncovered dump trucks.
LadyJ (anonymous) says…
Some of the LRM drivers aren't too great either.
KS (anonymous) says…
xbusguy - Insurance is required by law. It's not that hard to get. You use it when you have a loss. They can afford to pay for this.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
classclown~ The story said they were both headed west. What was I to think? Until they print a correction, I'll assume that is correct, regardless of the anonymous poster claiming to be the victim. (Sorry, anon. poster--anyone could claim to be the person in the article. And if you are the driver, I wouldn't expect you to post on a public forum that you were partially to blame for getting hit.)In any event, the nonprofit should sue for damages, since the rocks should've been secured better. If the vehicles were headed in opposite directions, that would make more sense and (obviously) eliminate any tailgating theory.LJW--pls clarify.
LadyJ (anonymous) says…
Maybe that was him shooting off fireworks till 11 last night.