Texas family dies while driving to Disney

[DebbieB]

According to this article, some of the children were step children. Prayers going out to the parents that lost children.

I read somewhere that they were a "Brady Bunch" family. 3 were his, 2 were hers and the 4 year old was theirs together.

I also read this morning that the 16 year old was charged with reckless driving. Wonder if he was speeding.

 

[tajz90]

I read somewhere that they were a "Brady Bunch" family. 3 were his, 2 were hers and the 4 year old was theirs together.

I also read this morning that the 16 year old was charged with reckless driving. Wonder if he was speeding.

The story report on our news was he may have fell asleep, veered into the median, may have tried to correct, but over corrected causing the flip. Nothing about speed on our report.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sad point is that the truck looks totally survivable (which apparently it was), if contained inside during the roll over rather than being ejected out a door or window.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/11/2...dream-trip-to-disney-world/?intcmp=latestnews

 

[Luvchefmic]

Dan the hair is absolutely standing straight up on the back of my neck. I'm sure you are correct.

I'm glad you posted this, it's important for people to REALLY understand how important seat belts are. I have responded to more than my fair share of accidents. My husband and I were EMTs for over 20 years. All EMS workers know that rarely did we have to cut a deceased person out of a seatbelt. People may sustain injuries from the belt but more often than not will survive.

If even one person stops and thinks by seeing this I'm glad. We always had a rule the key didn't get turned in the ignition until all in the vehicle were secured. Such a shame.

 

[raven69david]

Wow that's so sad. I can't even fathom what the surviving members are going to experience for the rest of their lives after a life changing event like this. My heart goes out to the family and their loved ones.

This is a great reminder why we DO NOT drive from Texas to Disney World. A 2 1/2 hour flight is no match for a 14 hour drive from my city. When you factor in gas, food and lodging for the trip itself, it's probably just a few bucks more to fly....at least it is for us.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

A family friend of ours swears a buddy of his was killed because he wore a seatbelt. Now that family friend refuses to wear a seatbelt. Never mind all the data that supports wearing a seatbelt saves more lives than not. He has passed on that "fear" to his now grown kids. Luckily they make his grandchildren buckle up, even if they don't.

People keep blaming the boy for driving while people weren't buckled in. When you were 16, if your parents said it was ok to drive even though not everyone was buckled in, what would you have done? Refused to move the car? Doubtful.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

People keep blaming the boy for driving while people weren't buckled in. When you were 16, if your parents said it was ok to drive even though not everyone was buckled in, what would you have done? Refused to move the car? Doubtful.

I haven't noticed that in this thread. I'm seen most try to understand the parents actions, not the kid.

 

[Luvchefmic]

A family friend of ours swears a buddy of his was killed because he wore a seatbelt. Now that family friend refuses to wear a seatbelt. Never mind all the data that supports wearing a seatbelt saves more lives than not. He has passed on that "fear" to his now grown kids. Luckily they make his grandchildren buckle up, even if they don't.


People keep blaming the boy for driving while people weren't buckled in. When you were 16, if your parents said it was ok to drive even though not everyone was buckled in, what would you have done? Refused to move the car? Doubtful.

Has anyone blamed the boy? I suppose some might but I think that would be cruel. He has enough to deal with for the rest of his life.

That's too bad about your friend. His children don't realize either that in a given circumstance if they as the driver are ejected or tossed over to the other side of the front they will no longer be in control of the vehicle. Kids being in their seatbelts won't do much good if there is no driver in charge.

 

[5Hfan]

Wow that's so sad. I can't even fathom what the surviving members are going to experience for the rest of their lives after a life changing event like this. My heart goes out to the family and their loved ones.

This is a great reminder why we DO NOT drive from Texas to Disney World. A 2 1/2 hour flight is no match for a 14 hour drive from my city. When you factor in gas, food and lodging for the trip itself, it's probably just a few bucks more to fly....at least it is for us.

It really isn't less expensive to fly if you are a large family/group. That said this is a horrific tragedy and beyond comprehension that these deaths were likely preventable. I cannot even imagine how hard it will be for the surviving teen driver and the others--if they survive their injuries.

I hope the lesson from this saves lives. We drive from NC, and stop overnight. And we don't start the trip at night or after work. I can understand one passenger unbuckled for a second to pick up something on the floor and a tragic freak accident occurs. A carload of unbuckled kids and parents? Teachers no less? Just no.

 

[kittylady1972]

It really isn't less expensive to fly if you are a large family/group.

Yep...I was thinking the same thing. We are a family of five, and to fly, even on OFF-PEAK times, the best rate I could get was $199 per ticket...for our 2 hour flight...so $1000 for five of us. To drive our Honda Pilot is 2-3 tanks of gas each way...not even close, especially with gas prices now.

And just forget about flying over the holidays. I have a friend who booked for her family of FOUR right on the day Southwest released their flights and I think she paid $300 per ticket...and that is to fly home on THANKSGIVING DAY to save money.

Bottom line is this was just a horrible tragedy for all involved. I just can't imagine the pain for all of the surviving family members, both in the vehicle and the family that was not with them.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

This has been on my mind all night. We tried to do the drive all night thing from Texas one year, DH ended up pulling over in a church parking lot to sleep. We have driven to WDW since then (we're flying this time) but after that incident we always stay overnight and only drive during the day.

What a tragedy. It puts all my griping about FP+ abd ADRs into perspective.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I haven't noticed that in this thread. I'm seen most try to understand the parents actions, not the kid.

Not as much in this thread, but in others.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Wow that's so sad. I can't even fathom what the surviving members are going to experience for the rest of their lives after a life changing event like this. My heart goes out to the family and their loved ones.

This is a great reminder why we DO NOT drive from Texas to Disney World. A 2 1/2 hour flight is no match for a 14 hour drive from my city. When you factor in gas, food and lodging for the trip itself, it's probably just a few bucks more to fly....at least it is for us.

Unless you have free flights, it's typically WAY cheaper to drive with 3 or more people. Especially when it's a distance you can make in one day. Not to mention those who stay offsite needing a car once they arrive. We're 6 hours further than you & it's still a LOT cheaper for us to drive, even with travel expenses figured in.

 

[RnbwSktles]

About 6 months ago I fell asleep and totaled my car. Thankfully I only hit a telephone pole and not a another car or pedestrian. It's scary how quickly that happens. One minute you're driving along like normal and the next you're jolted awake by the sound of the car hitting something. I had been driving for about 45 minutes and only had 15 to go, so it didn't make sense to me at the time to stop and stretch, or nap, or whatever. I was almost home.

It was a wake up call that's for sure.

 

[RnbwSktles]

A family friend of ours swears a buddy of his was killed because he wore a seatbelt. Now that family friend refuses to wear a seatbelt. Never mind all the data that supports wearing a seatbelt saves more lives than not.

Ugh, my friend/current housemate is like this. Drives me crazy!

 

[DisneyPups]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...ash-that-kills-five-in-same-family/?tid=hp_mm

If anyone is interested in the helping the remaining boys, there is a ******** page at the bottom of the article.

 

[Dan Murphy]

A family friend of ours swears a buddy of his was killed because he wore a seatbelt. Now that family friend refuses to wear a seatbelt. Never mind all the data that supports wearing a seatbelt saves more lives than not. He has passed on that "fear" to his now grown kids. Luckily they make his grandchildren buckle up, even if they don't....

That's is similar to those who say that some people who do not smoke get lung cancer. True, but maybe 85-90% of lung cancers are with people who smoke. Some people who wear a seat belt may die, or even die as a result of, however, the hugely greater majority are benefited from the belts.

 

[North of Mouse]

So, so sad! Falling asleep at the wheel is easier than you think - sometimes you are so exhausted that the brain just shuts down. There has been lots of accidents on I-95 where people fall asleep after hours at the wheel. So many people try to 'save' time and drive straight through to Disney (or back from). It pays to get your rest.

Also, can't imagine why parents would not make their children buckle up - doesn't seem like it was a priority with them, as the parents were not setting an example. 'No' moving our vehicle until 'everyone' is buckled in!

Like others, I think of this young fellow that will have to live with these memories as the driver - also his two siblings.

 

[North of Mouse]

I also read this morning that the 16 year old was charged with reckless driving. Wonder if he was speeding.

He would not have had to be speeding. When you 'lose' control of your vehicle you can be charged - that's the law - 'why' doesn't matter. The driver is supposed to be 'in control' of his vehicle at all times. Yes, sad, I know. Actually, I can't imagine letting a 16 year old drive when all are fatigued, especially the parents - guess I'm super cautious. As terrible as this accident was, it actually could have been worse had he hit another vehicle!

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

A 16 year old driving overnight? I am sorry for their loss, it is a tragedy but a 16 year old should never be put in a position like that.