Monster truck crashes into crowd of spectators in DeKalb

[seemslikeadream]

Source: ABC7 Chicago IL

August 9, 2007 - At least nine people were injured when a monster truck drove into a crowd gathered Thursday afternoon near an auto parts store in Dekalb, Illinois. The truck was giving a demonstration when the driver lost control and veered into the crowd.

Reports say the monster truck was at the store to give a demonstration by driving over and crushing some smaller trucks. During the demonstration, a person who works down the street tells ABC7, the truck lost control, went sideways and drove into the crowd of people gathered to watch the event.
Ambulance crews are on the scene and several people have been taken to hospitals. Police officials told ABC7 nine people had been hurt seriously including a mother and child.

Jenny Cedillo, a nursing supervisor at Kishwaukee Community Hospital, told ABC7 nine patients were taken to that hospital. She said one was flown off to Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford in more serious condition.


Read more: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=5555313

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[Algorem]

1. "only in america"

Like fucking lamebrains in normal-sized pickup trucks everywhhere doesn't suck enough.

[maseman]

20. I suck because I drive a pick-up truck?

Very nice attitude.

[wuushew]

29. Yes, trucks as personal conveyances suck

unless you are hauling lumber 24/7 the same money could be spent on a more efficient vehicle. High centers of gravity and poor weight distribution do nothing to make me feel safer when I am in traffic with such vehicles either.

[CRF450]

32. Truck owner here too

01 4x4 Dodge Dakota quad cab v8, I use it for work which is pool/spa cleaning and for taking my dirtbike to the local track or other places. I usually drive the Trans Am when not working, but when I'm bringing some friends to places I'll take the truck since it has way more room, even though the T/A gets much better fuel milage.

[youngdem]

35. What a shitty attitude

Lots of people drive pickup trucks because they need them for work.

So now the lawn guy, maintenance men, carpenters, contractors, etc are all 'fucking lamebrains' for mowing your lawn and building your house?

Dick.

[Algorem]

50. sorry if i pissed you off,Dick.

did anyone say "all" pickup truck drivers,richard?

[seemslikeadream]

51. Lots of strange attitudes on this thread

:hi:

[CRF450]

53. Your remark came off being that way.

But no matter how I look at it. It still screams "truck drivers are dumbasses".

[Kota]

2. I wondered if something had happened.

I work in Dekalb and there were 3 helicopters hovering about. I watched them for about 15 minutes and it seemed like they must be filming or something.

[BearSquirrel2]

3. Yee-Haaaww!!!!

We reap what we gawk!!

[AngryAmish]

4. Same county as the horse slaughterhouse

[brentspeak]

13. Uh, and...???

[seemslikeadream]

16. Cavel Horse Slaughter Facility to Close, Again

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=9877

[Javaman]

37. nice non sequitor. please read the rules. nt

[seemslikeadream]

38. I was answering his question what is wrong with you?

[Javaman]

40. I'm obviously insane. I responded to the wrong thread. Have a nice day. nt

[seemslikeadream]

43. Thanks for clearing that up, I knew there must be some reason for the mistake

[seemslikeadream]

44. You could be polite and explain your problem with me

Since I have no idea why you are so rude to me

[Javaman]

45. have much ego there? what else would you like me to do other than say I was wrong?

kiss your ass?

screw you, you are now blocked.

get a fucking clue and come off your pedestal

[seemslikeadream]

47. You did no such thing

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LiberalFighter]

6. They ticket the truck for reckless driving

So it was the truck that drove into the crowd.

The truck was giving a demonstration.

The monster truck was at the store to give a demonstration.

The truck lost control, went sideways and drove into the crowd.



That there truck is some smart truck. Did it all by itself.

[TomInTib]

7. Maybe it was 'roid rage.

I mean, come on, that truck didn't get that big all by itself.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

12. There has been a terrible epidemic...

Of 94 Ford Rangers stacking dianabol and testosterone around here. Oh, the humanity.

[TomInTib]

19. How could anyone eff with a '94 Ranger?

Man, what a perfect vehicle.

Those WERE the days, eh, friend?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

34. Ahhh...My late, much lamented...

1988 Toyota MR2 Supercharged. :sob:

[TomInTib]

54. I loved those cars.

Even though I own one of the fastest production cars on the planet, I will never forget those Supercharged MR2s.

Maybe the most fun-to-drive, ever.

[CRF450]

9. Dont automatically jump to conclusions, what I'd like to know is...

Where the crowds were. Were they a safe a distance away or real close? Accidents can happen in any kind of activity and cause injuries.

[seemslikeadream]

24. Major lawsuit time

[CRF450]

25. Maybe so in this situation but who knows if it would happen.

Their are great dangers in a motorsport if safety precausions are not taken. I myself am into offroading riding by dirtbike. I wear the basic gear which is a helmet, boots, gloves and a chest protector. Can I still get seriously injured? You bet. As long as I know what I'm doing and stay withen my limits, that reduces my chances of being hurt badly.

Its a risk I'm willing to take to have fun, enjoy myself and the sport.

[seemslikeadream]

26. It was on a public street

City had to have knowledge of the event and should be held accountable for the safey of the people as well as Napa

[LiberalFighter]

30. Then you agree that the truck did it all by itself

[CRF450]

31. If it was a stuck throttle cable

Which is probably what it is, then yeah.

[Nickster]

49. I saw the video of this on the morning news. It was very poorly planned. It looked like it was done

in a parking lot and the crowd was basically seperated from the truck by a rope line. The crowd was way too close and their was little if any safety precautions. All it would have taken was hitting one of those crushed cars at a funny angle and that truck would have shot into the crowd without any chance for the driver to react.

It does look like the truck had a mechanical failure though because it landed ok and then shot forward like the driver hit the gas, so I think your guess of a stuck throttle is probably on the money.

From the news:

http://www.nbc5.com/news/13859192/detail.html?dl=mainclick

"Instantly, I saw the transmission fluid and stuff come out from the bottom," said witness Bernie Donnelly. "I saw the nose go up, so I knew the throttle was sticking, and he just took off through the crowd. It was very scary, because, like I said, one family we knew was over there."

[CRF450]

52. Just as I thought telling by what the witnesses say in the article

But instead many in this thread have to resort to ignorant remarks about "hilbillies and trucks".

[kestrel91316]

8. And the purpose of this demonstration was WHAT, exactly?

Glorified weenie wagging??

[0rganism]

10. "give a demonstration by driving over and crushing some smaller trucks"

What, exactly, are they demonstrating by doing this? That heavy objects can crush objects which are not intended to bear their weight? I guess some of the audience got a firsthand look at this phenomenon from the "smaller trucks" point of view.

[CRF450]

11. Stuck throttle cable

Is my guess from reading this quote.

"What they were doing is driving over cars, crushing cars, just kind of an exhibition type of thing. And there were people on both sides of the street. You heard it go over three times, shut down and heard it go again. Then the fourth time it just kind of never stopped."

[bluerum]

14. Used to live there. All I can say is - well. I won't say it. But how

much sense do you have to have to understand that ya keep away from large fast moving objects.

Dimwits.

I ams sorry for their pain, but holy be-jeezis almighty - use what little brain power the good lord gave you. If you ain't got enough to do that kind of figgerin, well then maybe it's all for the best.

[nadrojksc]

15. A little compassion, maybe?

Hey, maybe I'm reading you guys wrong, but I'm getting the impression that some of the posters here think this is amusing, that because these folks were attending such a "low-brow" event that their injuries were some sort of justice. I hope I'm getting the wrong impression, but just in case, I'd like to give you a little reality check here: A MOTHER AND HER CHILD BEING CRUSHED IS NOT FUNNY. I think it's pretty obvious that the event was held for promotional purposes and entertainment, so those of you sniffing about "what is the purpose behind this event?" can please shut the hell up now, thanks. Would you still be making snarky remarks if a tree fell on some people enjoying Shakespeare in the park? I really shouldn't have to be explaining this here, but finding another person's form of entertainment to be stupid is not sufficient justification for you to cheer when they are maimed. If you want to revel with glee in human suffering, please go join the Republican party, they're the ones that specialize in that sort of thing.

[seemslikeadream]

18. Thank you nadrojksc

When you stand close to tragedy the human suffering is unbearable. I'm honored that this was your first post.

[CRF450]

23. Good post!

And welcome!

[Ellen Forradalom]

33. Welcome to DU!

Great post, and I couldn't agree more.

[rocktivity]

17. And of COURSE it's sponsored by an auto parts outfit.

:crazy:
rocknation

[GoddessOfGuinness]

21. How awful! Link now says at least 10...

I hope they all recover.

I know this sort of entertainment isn't quite like a ballet performance; but come on folks...
If my kid wanted to go see something like it, and the tickets weren't too outrageous, I'd probably take him. Once, anyway...

[skids]

22. Clevon.

Great, now I just can't get that scene from idiocracy out of my head:

"Clevon is lucky to be alive. He attempted to jump a jet ski from a lake into a swimming pool and impaled his crotch on an iron gate. But thanks to advances in stem cell research and the fine work of Doctors Krenske and Mueller, he should regain full reproductive function again."

[BootinUp]

27. Launching trucks into the air used to be so much easier....

I never understood why they only did it in big stadiums hundreds of feet from spectators up in the stands.

:sarcasm:

[never cry wolf]

28. some of my best years were wasted at NIU

My condolences to all involved... I spent 2.5 years in DeKalb... not very productive but alot of fun

[Javaman]

36. There is a Darwin Award in here somewhere. nt

[seemslikeadream]

39. I wish you would please make your post clear

who are you referring too in regards to that Darwin Award? I only ask because of that earlier snarky post of yours

[Javaman]

41. Next time I post I will check with you first, okay? nt

[seemslikeadream]

42. No you don't have to check with me just don't go falsely accussing me of anything again

Thanks

[Javaman]

46. Dude, just let it go. it's easy, first separate yourself from your overblown

ego then relax and listen to some jazz.

good lord...

[seemslikeadream]

You're the one that started this and NOW you blame me?

One trashy comment in a thread, mistake

TWO trashy comments, intentional

[seemslikeadream]

48. dupe