Comments on: FHP: Cantonment Man Sets Off Chain Reaction Crash That Killed Two

By: janet

janet — Sun, 30 Jun 2013 00:22:39 +0000

I was there…just 2 car lengths ahead of the Graetzer’s car. No matter what they were in, their car was stopped…plain and simple…and when hit from the rear, a stopped vehicle will sustain a huge amount of damage. But the news report left out the fact that the box truck’s front wheels were on the roof of the Graetzer’s car. I saw it from my rearview mirror–it seemed to be a slow motion monster truck derby…the truck hit the car and the front of the truck went right up on top of the car. They never had a chance. It was horrendous…and I saw it happen & couldn’t do anything but pray. I definitely feel the driver was going faster than the speed limit…as well as being too distracted to see that the traffic was stopped.

By: John G

John G — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 22:56:14 +0000

Everyone needs to slow down and watch the signs. I knew Kurt from NY days – a really wonderful person. He and Pam were beacons of light and the world is a lesser place. It doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive and pointless to debate it. What is worth mentioning is that there needs to be a change in the way people operate motor vehicles. I see a much more aggressive style of driving today compared to when I was starting out – back in the late 60’s. Slow it down and stay alert. Put the phones down. Be aware of everything in front of and around you. So long, Kurt. You left us all wanting to be a bit more like you. Peace.

By: Paul Alexander

Paul Alexander — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:48:06 +0000

not even an armoured car hold up very well to the impact of the furniture truck,then the first F1550, then the second head on? F150…. seat belts,air bags makes no diff. in sardine cans…. each impact made a substancial diff. in vehicle structure…

By: Mikey

Mikey — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 05:38:14 +0000

There isn’t anything “Eco” about a Honda element. It is a smal SUV that gets mediocre gas mileage. Point taken about small though, especially in the land of big ole pickups.

By: Shelley

Shelley — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:09:49 +0000

Prayers for all involved and affected. May God comfort the family and friends of the Graetzers.

By: Cantonment mom

Cantonment mom — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 02:50:55 +0000

I read on an Okaloosa site, from an alleged responder in the accident, that the brakes failed on the McAleers’ truck. Let’s remember that the driver of that truck is one of our Cantonment residents and is most likely in turmoil tonight. How about we reserve judgments at this time, and leave it to just praying for all the parties involved.

By: babs

babs — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 02:00:08 +0000

The couple that were killed were very active in our community… they gave a lot of themselves in both family and friends. It is extremely sad to see such a senseless accident.
The skid marks appear to start after the debris from the accident. it was said the trunk never hit its brakes.
Pam and Kurt we will all miss you. God bless your family and friends.

By: sniper

sniper — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 01:23:29 +0000

Sandra and cw. You keep your smartcar and ill keep my american steel. Just an fyi airbags nor seatbelts help in an extreme rear end collision. I see smartcars at least 3 times a week (elements in particular) warped beyond recognition with passengers critically injured. Vehicles with more mass are much more likely to protect their occupants. On another note, the element was at a stop which means none of the airbags would have went off anyway. I can appreciate engineered steel supports but the real name of the car manufacturing game is mpg. And we all know heavy cars don’t do very well at the pumps.

By: wm

wm — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:58:45 +0000

Looking at the skid marks in the photo — and the extensive damage doen the the red pick-up ( a secondary vehicle in the collision) the box truck was moving at a significant speed prior to the impact. You can’t even see the Element — it’s somewhere in bewteen the box truck and the red pick-up… I wonder if texting while driving or some other distraction was involved. I expect that traffic was congested and had slowed — and the box truck hit the Element from behind at nearly full speed.

McAleer’s auto insurance company is going to have quite a large ($1 million plus) auto claim as a result of this collision. A good plantiff attorney may even go after McAleer’s General Liability and Employment Practices Liability carrier if they can prove negligent hiring, negligent training, or negligent supervision regarding the employee driver.

By: CW

CW — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:03:07 +0000

@Sniper
Those vehicles you mentioned didn’t have very good safety cages, the A-pillars and roof would have bowed and the car would’ve crumpled in the middle where the occupants were sitting. Today’s cars are safer.