Special Crash Investigations: On-Site Guardrail End Terminal Crash Investigation Vehicle: 2003 Ford Focus Location: Missouri Crash Date: March 2017

This report documents the on-site investigation of a passenger car impact to an ET-2000 guardrail end terminal that is of interest to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This crash occurred in an interchange on the south side of the eastbound lanes of a four-lane, divided, interstate highway. The Ford Focus was a 4-door sedan equipped with dual-stage frontal air bags. The vehicle was not equipped with an event data recorder (EDR) supported by a commercially available tool. A belted 17-year-old female driver, belted 18-year-old male front row passenger, unbelted 17-year-old female second row left passenger, and unbelted 17-year-old female second row right passenger occupied the vehicle. The Ford was traveling southeast in the left eastbound through lane. The driver told police she lost control of the vehicle on the wet roadway as she was changing lanes to the right through lane. The vehicle departed the south side of the road in a clockwise yaw and the left plane struck the end terminal (Event 1). The vehicle rotated counterclockwise (counterclockwise) from the impact, crossed a ditch, then rolled over (Event 2), right side leading, two quarter turns, coming to final rest on its top plane heading northwest. The two unbelted second row passengers were ejected through the disintegrated backlight during the rollover. The driver and second row right passenger sustained police reported “B” (non- incapacitating) injuries. The front row right and second row left passengers sustained “C” (possible) and “A” (incapacitating) injuries, respectively. All the occupants were transported by ambulance to a trauma center. The Ford was towed from the crash scene due to damage.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Web
  • Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; Tables;
  • Pagination: 28p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01736567
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: DOT HS 812 899, IN17018
  • Contract Numbers: DTNH22-12-C-00270
  • Files: HSL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
  • Created Date: Apr 22 2020 12:24PM