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Fatal Motorcycle Accident In Conyers, Georgia

M. Brandon Smith — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:06:08 GMT

Last week on Tuesday, a tragic motorcycle and car accident occurred, leaving one driver dead. Stephen Andrew Wust, a 26 year old from Covington, Georgia was pronounced dead at the scene early Tuesday morning.

A 1999 Toyota Camry attempted to make a left turn off of Sigman Road as the driver was traveling north going onto Interstate 20. It was a little after 5 a.m. when Stephen Wust was traveling south at the same time the Camry was about to turn left.

When the Camry turned towards the on-ramp to the Interstate, it turned right in front of Wust, who was on his motorcycle. This caused Wust to lay the motorcycle down. He was thrown toward the entrance of the interstate as his motorcycle slid away. Wust was then tragically struck and run over by the driver of the Camry.

The driver of the Camry did not have any injuries as a result of this deadly accident but will likely face criminal charges as a result of this fatal motorcycle accident in he days ahead. The investigation into this tragic event continues and will be followed here.

Update:

In other news, the woman driver involved in last week’s traffic crash that killed a Covington motorcyclist was charged with homicide by vehicle by the Sheriff’s Office.

Judith C. Lorier, 66, of 2154 Rolling Acres Drive, was also charged with failure to yield right of way in making a left turn. She was booked into the Rockdale County Jail on Wednesday and released on $1,100 bond, according to RCSO spokeswoman Jodi Shupe.

Roadway safety is everyone's responsibility. Please be care and always look twice before making sudden turns or actions. The life you save could be your own.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by M. Brandon Smith

Georgia Mother Killed By DUI Driver

M. Brandon Smith — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:56:21 GMT

This past week, an off-duty police officer saw a Toyota driving the wrong direction as the driver drove west on an eastbound lane of I-20. This was moments before a deadly DUI crash occurred around 3:30 a.m. in Atlanta, Georgia. Just earlier that evening, the Welch family had a gathering at a relative’s house in Douglasville.

Sameyka Rochel Welch and her dad, Ed Ford left their relative’s house at the same time. Welch drove behind her dad until she got onto I-20. It was around this time, 3:30 a.m., when the officer saw the Toyota driving the wrong way and called for help.

The Toyota Camry slammed right into Welch’s Ford Taurus near Langhorn Street exit west of the Downtown Connecter. Robert Ayiteyfio, the driver of the Camry, was driving drunk. Welch tragically died later in the hospital. She was driving with her boyfriend and two children. Welch’s boyfriend is at the hospital and the two children were taken to Egleston Children’s Hospital for treatment and evaluation. According to reports, the two children have non-threatening injuries. One child is ten months old and the other is two years old.

When Ayiteyfio was being questioned by an APD DUI Task Force officer, he ran and tried to avoid being captured. He eventually was caught and taken to the Fulton County Jail where is remains at this time. He is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, homicide by vehicle, and driving on the wrong side of the road. Later that evening he was denied bond.

According to blog comments about the DUI Accident and DUI Video, one of the arresting officers of Robert Ayiteyfio had this to say about the event:

I am one of the 2 officer who took the DIU driver into custody after a 20-30 minute search for him in the woods and in the back of some houses. My other partner spotted him running down a dirt road heading in the direction of I-20 while taking him into custody he stated that he was a United States Marine and that he didnt care about what as going on. after My partner and I took him into custody we left the scene and reported back out assinged zones only to hear a few minutes later that an officer was down. I was the officer who was able to get inside the car and keep OFC. Towns neck from falling to the side and hurting herself even more. Im glad to hear that she was doing ok and hope for a speedy recovery. All in all this could have all been avoided of the DUI driver never got behind the wheel and act so careless......

I hope the Judge assigned to this case will be made aware of these comments when the time comes for this DUI driver to face the criminal charges and civil penalties that certainly will be filed against him. Maybe then he will see fit to care...

Our thoughts are with the Welch family.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by M. Brandon Smith

Texas Day Care Licensing Needs Reform

M. Brandon Smith — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:27:27 GMT

With more and more two-parent households needing both parents to work outside of the home, and more single-parent households being created, the number of young children in daycare is rising. We trust daycare providers to create a safe environment for our children, and to make sure our children are safe when we cannot watch them ourselves.

And while many daycare centers are reliable and staffed by trained professionals, we cannot always guarantee that our children are safe, as a recent incident in Dallas/Fort Worth shows.

On Halloween 2008, A 2-year old girl ingested a rock at the Woodbridge Day School, and choked on it for several minutes before any day care staff noticed that anything was wrong. Due to the delayed reaction in helping the girl, she ended up dying. According to this story by CBS 11 News:

A records check shows the daycare has had two deficiencies in the last two years. One was for not documenting infant feeding instructions. In another incident, a child told a worker he or she was in pain and instead of looking into it, the worker told the child to tell their parent.

Woodbridge was found negligent in allowing the little girl's death to occur.

The fact that the daycare already had deficiencies in its record, and it had not looked into correcting them is troubling. What is even more troubling is the fact that, under a Texas daycare law loophole, if the current owner of Woodbridge wanted to sell his establishment to a new owner, then all of the previous owner's regulatory violations and deficiencies would be wiped from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services' website, without necessarily having to replace a single employee, even if those employees lacked the proper qualifications or training.

This law is dangerous, and can make it very difficult for working parents to find a genuinely safe daycare center to place their children. We need to work to hold lawmakers and daycare owners accountable for their actions, so that loopholes like these don't end up costing more children their lives.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by M. Brandon Smith

Crossing Guard and Child Struck By Negligent Driver

M. Brandon Smith — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:01:00 GMT

This past Wednesday, a driver hit a student and school crossing guard in front of Martin Luther King, Jr., Elementary School, according to Clayton News Daily.

The female crossing guard was escorting a 9 year old boy across the street when the driver struck both of them. The crossing guard’s name has not been released. The 1998 Dodge Caravan was traveling southbound on West Lee’s Mill Road when the pedistrian accident occurred.

The driver of the car, Donell Lee Adams, 59 years old, has been charged with failure to obey a crossing guard and driving with a suspended license. Adams’ license has been suspended since August of 1995.

The 9 year old boy was released to his mother after she responded on the scene. When Clayton County rescue responded, the crossing guard was taken to Henry Medical Center. The guard had minor injuriesccording to early reports. Adams also was transported to a local hospital after feeling ill.

Officer Otis Willis, III, a spokesman for the Clayton County Police Department advised, “Adults need to be aware of the school season, and pedestrians, and be aware of their surroundings,” he added. “Slow down when you see a crossing guard, and render them the same respect that you would the law enforcement.”

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by M. Brandon Smith

What Is Salmonella And What Are Its Effects?

M. Brandon Smith — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 20:56:17 GMT

With the recent salmonella outbreak concerning Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter many people are asking the question, what is salmonella and what are its adverse effects? The short answer is that salmonella is a infectious bacteria that attacks the intestines and blood stream in most humans. The most commons effects of salmonella are diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps which typical occur approximately 6 to 72 hours after developing the infection. While usually not deadly, those infected by salmonella at times often feel like they are not going to make it through the ordeal given the intense pains and problems it causes. For more information on the what salmonella is and the effects and complications it can have check out the cited articles above.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by M. Brandon Smith

Actonel Same Problems As Fosamax?

M. Brandon Smith — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 07:00:00 GMT

I was recently asked about Actonel, a bisphosphonate used to treat sufferers of osteoporosis, and if it was known to cause osteonecrosis like Fosamax, Zometa, and Aredia. The short answer is YES. All of these drugs are members of the family of drugs known as bisphosphonates. A link has been found between bisphosphonates and a bone disease called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Bisphosphonates are drugs that alter calcium levels in bone structure. Bisphosphonate therapy is designed to strengthen bone and to help prevent the fractures and pain that often results from bone metastases.

The problem with Actonel, Zometa and Aredia, which one clinical professor characterized as "a possible epidemic," is that while these drugs may help prevent fractures in the hip and spine, they may also disrupt bone remodeling process (osteoclast/osteoblast axis) in the jaws. This may lead to bone death in the jaw.

For many who use Actonel, Fosamax, Zometa, and Aredia, this information may come as a shock. Recent studies and case reports are now hitting the headlines and showing just how dangerous these drugs can be. For more information on these drugs consult with your doctor to find out if you should still continue to use these potentially dangerous drugs or you can click here to read about my previous posting on Fosamax.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by M. Brandon Smith

Fourth Fatal Car Accident in Barrow County, Georgia in less than One Month

Jessica Smagacz — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:11:38 GMT

AccessNorthGA.com reported that a car accident occurring in Barrow County, Georgia killed on woman and injured another.

The victim was traveling south on Barber Creek Road on Monday after 5 p.m. when her car was struck by another car traveling west on Georgia Highway 316.

Names have not been released at this time. Authorities report that the cause of the car accident is still unknown.

There were stop signs, but no traffic lights at the intersection of Georgia Highway 316 and Barber Creek Road.

This car accident “marks the fourth fatal accident in Barrow County in less than a month.”

I will update this page if names are released.

Do you know what do to if you are in a car accident? As our past post discussed, here is what you need to know if you are in a car accident:

Immediately call the police. When the police arrive, they know exactly what to do. The police will also create a police report after interviewing all witnesses and determining who is at fault.

Make sure everyone else is safe.

Gather information. You must get the other driver’s information such as the vehicle’s VIN number, insurance information, and license plate number.

Seek medical attention/help. Car accidents can cause serious injuries, even injuries that do not arise until much later after the car accident. It is important to see a doctor to evaluate your condition.

If you have a camera, take pictures of the cars involved in the accident.

Call/seek an attorney.

According to Ezine articles, there are several things you MUST not do after you are in a car accident:

Admit fault; leave the scene; wait for insurance companies to contact you or take too much time to call an attorney; sign anything without knowing what the papers say or means.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

Stage 4 Bed Sore (Decubitus Ulcer)

M. Brandon Smith — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:09:55 GMT

The final stage in the bed sore classification system is stage 4. In a stage 4 bed sore, the most serious and advanced stage, almost all skin has been lost in the affected area and a very deep wound has occurred. The would itself has extended through the muscles, tendons, organs, and/or bones. Stage 4 bed sores, also termed decubitus ulcers, almost always require surgical intervention to remove the decayed and necrotic tissue. The infection status in a stage 4 bed sore is very serious and can lead to extremity amputation and/or death if not treated properly. A stage 4 bed sore is only seen in the most egregious circumstances of neglect and improper care. In the hospital or nursing home setting, a stage 4 bed sore should NEVER occur. Sadly for thousands of residents and patients each year, however it does time and time again.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by M. Brandon Smith

Drunk Driver Causes Deadly Car Accident

M. Brandon Smith — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:40:54 GMT

A drunk driver by the name of Gregory Lee Wills may soon be facing felony vehicular homicide charges after causing a deadly car wreck on December 11, 2007 in Forsyth County. According to officials, one of the passengers involved in the dui accident, a 10-year-old minor, recently passed away due to the injuries she sustained. The young girl bravely battled for her life for more than a week at Scottish Rite prior to her passing according to the corner Lauren McDonald. The young girl's mother, who was also the driver of the mini van, was airlifted to a local Atlanta area hospital and is still recovering from her injuries at this time. Gregory Wills, of Buford Georgia, was initially charged with driving under the influence at the time of the car accident.

In situations like this, the elevated charge of felony vehicular homicide is needed to deter similar acts in the future and to hold the responsible drunk driver accountable. There is nothing more important than life and now because of Willis' careless, wanton and willful acts, the lives of this family will never be the same. No jail sentence or civil penalty will ever make things right, but it will certainly help this family move forward and make our society as a whole a safer place for having done so.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by M. Brandon Smith

Fatal Accident Leaves 4 Dead On Georgia's Highway 316

M. Brandon Smith — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 01:46:55 GMT

In a tragic end to the fourth of July weekend, four Georgians were killed on Sunday after their vehicle collided with a tractor trailer and a tour bus. The fatal car crash took place on Georgia's Highway 316 and Highway 29 in Lawrenceville. Emergency personnel arrived to the site of the car accident promptly but none of the occupants of the vehicle survived the event. The names of those involved have not yet been released as the authorities involved continue to investigate the root cause of the fatal car accident.

Fire crews said they found the car underneath the tractor-trailer.
Gwinnett Fire Department officials said although rescue workers pulled the car out, its occupants were found dead at the scene.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was treated at Gwinnett Medical Center with minor injuries, officials said.
They said there were no injuries reported on the tour bus.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Tractor-Trailer Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by M. Brandon Smith