A major road incident occurred on the morning of May 16 near Glyndon, Minnesota, involving a semi-truck and an SUV, leading to several injuries. Responding swiftly, emergency services converged on the scene at the junction of 90th Ave N. and Highway 9 after being alerted shortly before 10:30 a.m. Sgt. Jesse Grabow reported on the event, highlighting the severe nature of the crash and the types of vehicles involved.
Casualties and Emergency Response
Occupied by six individuals, including children, the SUV faced significant impact when it collided with a semi-truck driven by one individual. Intense rescue efforts were necessary as emergency teams employed specialized equipment to extricate some of the SUV’s occupants. Affected individuals were transported to nearby medical facilities by both helicopter and ambulance, presenting a spectrum of injuries, albeit non-life-threatening for some.
Emphasis on Road Safety
This grave incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced road safety protocols, particularly in regions susceptible to intense traffic. It acts as a poignant reminder of the hazards large vehicles like semi-trucks can present. Local authorities are calling for increased vigilance and strict adherence to traffic regulations to mitigate such dangerous occurrences. Investigations are ongoing to pinpoint the cause of the crash and to formulate strategies to prevent similar events in the future.
The Idaho State Police are actively investigating a tragic collision that occurred between an SUV and a semi-truck on US95, claiming the life of a Washington woman. The accident unfolded south of Coeur d’Alene near mile marker 379 in Benewah County around 11:23 AM on May 15th, 2024. A head-on crash involving a grey 2019 Ford Escape and a 2020 Volvo tractor-trailer resulted in catastrophic outcomes.
Details of the Collision and Immediate Aftermath
The collision led to the immediate death of a 45-year-old female from Pullman, Washington, who was driving the Ford Escape. The 31-year-old male driver of the Volvo tractor from Toledo, Ohio, sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. The Benewah County Coroner’s Office is tasked with releasing the deceased’s identity and determining the exact cause of death.
Traffic Disruptions and Ongoing Investigations
Following the accident, US95 was closed in both directions for approximately four hours to facilitate emergency response and investigation, causing significant traffic disruptions. The road has since reopened to single-lane traffic as investigations continue. Additional road closures and traffic delays have been reported in the area, indicating possible ongoing or separate incidents affecting travel.
Additional Information on Road Safety and Attractions
Road Safety Enhancements: This incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures on highways, particularly on routes like US95 known for heavy truck traffic. Implementing stricter safety protocols and better highway engineering could help prevent such devastating accidents.
Cultural Insights: Amidst the backdrop of road safety concerns, Idaho also offers unique roadside attractions that contribute to its cultural tapestry. Historical advertisements and quirky landmarks dot the landscape, offering travelers a blend of humor and history.
Community and Traveler Information: For those traveling through Idaho, staying updated with real-time traffic updates from sources like Idaho 511 can aid in planning safer routes. Meanwhile, exploring local attractions can provide enjoyable breaks on long drives.
This tragic event not only highlights critical issues concerning road safety but also brings to light the broader aspects of travel and culture in Idaho, emphasizing the importance of both caution and curiosity for drivers navigating its roads.
Tesla built roughly 140 Semis to date, according to historical data and a new report from Reuters.
Production of the all-electric Tesla Semi Class 8 rig is slower than anticipated, with the total fleet amounting to roughly 140 units since production began toward the end of 2022, historical data and new information revealed by Reuters suggests. Tesla never released official production figures for its biggest vehicle.
In late 2022, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that the annual production of the Semi would reach 50,000 units in 2024. Fast-forward to June 2023, and the outspoken head honcho toned down his expectations and said that the company doesn’t expect to start higher-volume production of the electric Semi before late 2024, citing battery supply constraints. So let’s see how the manufacturing ramp-up went so far.
Tesla Semi production lags as EV maker gets to grips with delivery slowdown for passenger EVs
Tesla’s Semi Class 8 truck is nowhere near mass production status. Nearly two years after deliveries began, the American company built roughly 140 units, with approximately 100 being used by Tesla itself and 36 going to one of its biggest customers, PepsiCo.
That said, the low-volume truck is the least of Tesla’s problems, with the latest report showing a rare growth decline in the passenger vehicle business.
One of the biggest customers for the Tesla Semi is PepsiCo. The company made initial payments for 100 units in 2017, but as of early April, the snack and beverage maker had received 36 Semis, according to a spokesperson quoted by Reuters. That’s the same number of Semis as in March 2023. In October of last year, the total number of Semis built had risen to around 60-70.
Earlier this year, logistics company Martin Brower claimed to have used two Tesla Semis to deliver goods to its restaurant customers as part of a pilot, Reuters wrote.
Tesla itself has a fleet of about 100 Semis, as the EV maker’s vehicle engineering chief, Lars Moravy, mentioned during an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage in December of last year. Considering the only Semis on the road in March of last year were those in PepsiCo’s fleet, the roughly 100 units in Tesla’s fleet were likely built between March and December of 2023.
UPS reserved 125 units of the all-electric Class 8 semi-truck, and Asko Norway, the logistics arm of Norway’s biggest food retailer, put a deposit for 10 trucks in 2017. Neither company has received their orders, with a UPS spokesperson saying for Reuters last week that the company is “working closely with Tesla to determine a date for us to take delivery of the trucks.”
For the companies that ordered the electric Semi hoping to reduce their carbon footprint, the lack of deliveries from Tesla forced them to turn to other truck makers, even though the efficiency and driving range are below what the Semi is capable of.
The Freightliner eCascadia, made by Daimler Truck, is the biggest competitor to the Tesla Semi. UPS, Walmart Canada, Sysco and Schneider National have dozens of eCascadia rigs on the road, with Schneider alone using nearly 100 units to haul goods including PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay products.
Compared to the Semi’s approximate range of 500 miles, Freightliner’s eCascadia offers roughly half the driving distance on a full charge, but wider availability made it the truck of choice for over 55 companies, according to Daimler Truck North America.
Semi-truck and SUV collide on Southern Boulevard: PBCFR rescues all passengers from wreck
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — After a semi-truck and SUV collided with each other, firefighters worked to extricate the people from the wreckage.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) said the crash occurred on westbound lanes on Southern Boulevard near the Haverhill Road exit on Friday afternoon.
Video taken by a CBS12 viewer shows the front of the passenger SUV crumpled and bent, surrounded by people on the road. The semi-truck can be seen further ahead with some damage on the trailer.
Plans revealed for Buc-ee’s coming to St. Lucie Co.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — For Treasure Coast road trippers in search of ample gas pumps, something fried and drenched in chocolate or simply a clean bathroom, there might be a beaver with a solution.
It’s official — planners submitted a proposal Tuesday for a Buc-ee’s in north St. Lucie County.
The proposal would place the Buc-ee’s at the southeast corner of Indrio Road and Interstate 95.
Gardens Mall secure after gunfire reports; will stay closed Wednesday
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (CBS12) — Reports of gunfire at the Gardens Mall on Wednesday afternoon spurred a large police response to the scene and nearby schools and businesses to step up their security measures.
In an update from the City of Palm Beach Gardens, it says the gunfire was “not an active shooter incident” and does not appear to be random. The scene is secure and at this time the investigation is ongoing.
‘We appreciate the rapid law enforcement and fire response from our local public safety partners,” the city said.
At this time, there have been no reports of anyone injured in connection with the incident.
Deadly shooting at Riviera Beach gas station following group disagreement
RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A deadly shooting occurred at a local gas station in Riviera Beach on Monday, according to a spokeswoman with the Riviera Beach Police Department (RBPD).
Video and photos show multiple Riviera Beach Police cruisers surrounding a Chevron Gas station on West Blue Heron Boulevard and Barack Obama Highway. Yellow tape is also surrounding the area as the crime scene unit investigates.
The spokesperson for the RBPD, stated the shooting occurred at the gas station after there was a disagreement between two groups. One person shot into a vehicle and hit one of the passengers. The person who was shot succumbed to their injuries.
A tragic accident occurred on Highway 191 north of Moab, resulting in the death of an SUV driver after a collision with a semi-truck. The crash took place near mile marker 1 and led to the closure of the main road through Grand County for several hours. Emergency services responded promptly, but the severity of the crash led to significant delays and disruptions in the area.
Safety Measures and Recommendations
This devastating incident underscores the importance of road safety and vigilance, especially on busy highways. Drivers are encouraged to exercise extra caution when navigating high-traffic routes and to remain aware of larger vehicles, such as semi-trucks. By following road safety guidelines and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles, drivers can help prevent similar accidents and ensure safer journeys for everyone on the road.
