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HMMWV Rollover Crash, Indiana

Wire Fox

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Indianapolis, Indiana
I was just browsing the news today and came across this: http://fox59.com/2018/02/04/2-women-die-after-humvee-crashes-into-river-in-southwest-indiana/

This was a privately-owned HMMWV, with two couples out doing night riding. They seem to have driven too close to the river embankment and rolled over into the water. Both men got out, but both of their wives were trapped and ultimately perished in the water.

Anybody know if anyone in this accident was a Steel Soldiers member?
 

dk8019

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Wow, that is terrible. Four man configuration, a blow to the head during the rollover would disorient, and if you go into the water in the dark, good luck sorting out which way is up. I'm nearly convinced I'm going to require head protection for everyone in mine moving forward.
 

Action

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I wonder who was sitting where. The c-pillar is missing. I know it is only there to hold the softtop up. Is that another seat on top of the tunnel? I also don't see 3-point seatbelt brackets in the back.
 

juanprado

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My prayers for the families.

What struck me was no C-Pillar nor rails. I realize these are just aluminum and not structural what so ever but would be better support than nothing. It could also be they were ripped off in recovery.

I also do not see the rear 3 point seat belt reels on the rear fenders.
 

Wire Fox

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Indianapolis, Indiana
Wow, that is terrible. Four man configuration, a blow to the head during the rollover would disorient, and if you go into the water in the dark, good luck sorting out which way is up. I'm nearly convinced I'm going to require head protection for everyone in mine moving forward.
I have a similar policy in mind. At least for anyone riding in the troop seats. I plan get get a few skate helmets that have back- and side-of-head protection. 3-point belts, padded b-pillar, and high-back seats in the front should negate the necessity of it in the front seats, but I could be convinced otherwise.

I wonder who was sitting where. The c-pillar is missing. I know it is only there to hold the softtop up. Is that another seat on top of the tunnel? I also don't see 3-point seatbelt brackets in the back.
I was thinking just the same thing about what looks like a middle seat. I'm now very glad there wasn't also a kid there in that seat, as that's probably who it was placed there for. I bet the lack of c-pillar is related to that middle row seat- maybe the guy was custom-fabbing something, or just doesn't care and intended to drive it out in the open?
 

orgnal

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Denver, CO
I was just browsing the news today and came across this: http://fox59.com/2018/02/04/2-women-die-after-humvee-crashes-into-river-in-southwest-indiana/

This was a privately-owned HMMWV, with two couples out doing night riding. They seem to have driven too close to the river embankment and rolled over into the water. Both men got out, but both of their wives were trapped and ultimately perished in the water.

Anybody know if anyone in this accident was a Steel Soldiers member?
This has me thinking about adding a roll cage for mine.

McReddy
 

319cssb

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Easley SC
That c pillar is there it has been pushed forward during recovery. What you are looking at are the rear doors. There is a high seat mounted . Probably for hunting. I see something on the bed I don't recognize . I feel bad for the passengers. I do think this was slow speed. The seats would have given protection from the river bed. Most people drown as they forget to unbuckle the seatbelt in this situation. Not all HMMWV had a 3 point seatbelts, some had only a lap belt
 
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Skrilex

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Portland Oregon
I think a well thought out roll cage is a way better policy than requiring helmets. Did you guys see the Dirt Evryday episode about the humvee? They drilled the c pillar for some 1.5” dom tube and it really looked like a good solution. You can kinda see what they did in this pic. Way more strong than nothing.
 

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Action

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East Tennessee
The article stated they drove off the embankment. I wonder if the driver wanted to show how he can ford 5 feet of water in fast moving current.
The b-pillar sure did get pushed forward a lot. That could be from the dragging out. I was trying to zoom inand see evidence of c-pillar mounting bolts being pulled out. If it was installed, there should be broken off bottoms still bolted to the fender, or raised section of the fender when non-backing plate bolts pulled through it.
Also, Kyle and Cody ran about 1.5 miles to call for help? They didnt jump back in and try to help their wives? I wasn't there, so I don't know exact details.
 

Skrilex

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They probably tried but in the dark, underwater, it may have been a plain impossibility. You never know, they may have been drunk or compromised or just in shock over their wives being killed suddenly. I know I’d probably be **** near useless if that happened to me.
 

319cssb

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Easley SC
I think a well thought out roll cage is a way better policy than requiring helmets. Did you guys see the Dirt Evryday episode about the humvee? They drilled the c pillar for some 1.5” dom tube and it really looked like a good solution. You can kinda see what they did in this pic. Way more strong than nothing.
It will not help you if you don't take off your seatbelt and drown. There is egress training in Military vehicles for a good reason. I did see the Dirt everyday episode. I think you have to decide what you personally do as far as passenger safety is concerned.
 

319cssb

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Easley SC
Also, Kyle and Cody ran about 1.5 miles to call for help? They didnt jump back in and try to help their wives? I wasn't there, so I don't know exact details.
We can't speculate about any of the things that happened that night. There are many questions. I have the same questions you have, and then some.
But that all is up to people who can ask and process the scene.
One thing that I find is strange is that they had to run a mile and a half to Kyle's home to find out he doesn't have a landline? I don't know anyone who'd leave the house not knowing where his phone is.
Many strange things happened there.
 

319cssb

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Location
Easley SC
They probably tried but in the dark, underwater, it may have been a plain impossibility. You never know, they may have been drunk or compromised or just in shock over their wives being killed suddenly. I know I’d probably be **** near useless if that happened to me.
At the time, they supposedly didn't know that the wives were dead.
 

papakb

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San Jose, Ca
This is one of the reasons I carry one of the first responder knives with the seat belt cutter in it any time I go out for a ride. Cheap insurance that might have prevented their loss.

The object in the back looks like a 40mm ammo can, probably there for storage.
 
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dilvoy

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San Francisco, Ca.
I've been in two highway rollovers and if an item is not in your pocket or on your belt, you can't count on finding it or it being where you put or clipped it on the vehicle. Stuff goes everywhere and then mix darkness and water, and you may be in the dark without even a flashlight and pretty helpless to do anything even if you can get out of the vehicle yourself.
 
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tage

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LOS ANGELES / CALIFORNIA
first. this is why you're required to wear an ACH when you drive any MV when AD. sure it looks goofy, but it will save your life.
second anyone else remember the upside down hmmwv training in full battle rattle? face it you were going to drown anyways.
third, This may be the legal nightmare we all have been dreading to happen. I am very happy they were not on a public road. I would say an isolated incident. maybe alcohol is involved. who knows. At any rate, I can guarantee those females had more then a bump on the head. glad they didn't show pictures.
 

tage

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Location
LOS ANGELES / CALIFORNIA
I think a well thought out roll cage is a way better policy than requiring helmets. Did you guys see the Dirt Evryday episode about the humvee? They drilled the c pillar for some 1.5” dom tube and it really looked like a good solution. You can kinda see what they did in this pic. Way more strong than nothing.
doesn't help the 4 door version that much. alsooooooo since you brought up a picture, that hmmwv must kick up rocks like a SOB
 

NormB

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Cloverly,MD
Tragic. No mention of any kids left behind.

Guy I knew in HS (name of Healey) rolled his MG midget on a road I happened to be driving by w/ some friends. No roll bar. He’d crawled out the side door. Took four of us to flip the thing over. He was fine. Fortunately no PAX.

I used to drive a 1966 Austin Healey Sprite (when I could keep the *$(@&$&%&*!! Solex carbs synchronized longer than a week or two it was a fun ride). I contemplated buying a rollover bar but never did.

I’ll take this object lesson under advisement.

Sad story.
 

maa45069

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cincinnati/OH
This is a sad thing to see. It doesn't really matter the type of vehicle they were in btw in my opinion. If they were in a Corolla or a semi truck if it's time... Well it's time. God bless their families.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
 
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