Just got a call from buddy heading down. Said he's currently sitting right next to the mine south of Ajo. Apparently there's been a very bad accident between Ajo and Why and they have shut the road down and do not expect it to be open again for at least a few hours.
Just a warning to anyone heading on down - bring lots of cold drinks, it's a scorcher out there today! You may be waiting awhile.
Oh argh, I hope RPJ made it thru, he was headed down there this morning as far as I know. OMG! I hope it isn't him!!!! Joe, post up when you get there!
RockyPointJoe has checked in. He was stuck in traffic due to an accident. For over an hour the whole thing was stopped, but they've just opened the road and he'll be here in a couple of hours. He said traffic was backed up for 2 miles or so. When he called the second time, he mentioned seeing a pickup with no front wheel and another vehicle in an arroyo. We'll know more as soon as he signs in, no doubt.
Rosie, what would we do without you? Just add arrival clearinghouse reporter and babysitter to your already long list of duties. You rock!:woo::cheers::gradea::thumbsup:
I'll bet everyone that was going down today were wondering WTF when then hit the traffic stop. With all the stuff flying around here and in the news, I'll be some people thought the wost.
I hit the backup just past the "Y" by the Ajo school about 12:30pm....at least the police were letting you know what was going on....sat in traffic for over an hour....first the police said they were going to let the traffic go thru in one lane (alternating), then that changed. The only vehicle that I could see clearly was small pickup with the driver side front wheel completely missing...looked like some body damage. Then a little further on, there appeared to be another vehicle completely rolled over in a wash (or arroyo as Rosy mentioned). It was not very visible from the southboud side....there had been an ambulance that headed down to the accident site from Ajo, but it never returned in that direction...maybe went on to Tucson (at Why). So with a stop at the duty free, it took me 5.5 hours for the usual 3.5-4 hr drive. Not too bad. Glad I have the cool running diesel...was able to sit comfortably with the air on...my temp gage (outside) was showing about 110!!!
After the accident, the traffic spread out nicely...many stopping at Why for "potty breaks".
As for the ride from the border, they had both lanes open at the Mexican customs.....the only roadblock was up the hill where you leave town...local police. Didn't see any federale patrols on the ride down, there was an ambulance and fire truck sitting at the town by the Pinacate Reserve, then there was a roadblock before the first stop light in town...local police and state police handing out a pamphlet.
Looked like there was a good crowd coming down....with a line past the gas station at the border....the US border stop was uneventful....actually chit-chatted with the border patrol guy...he only asked one question.
Just some additional info for those shopping at the duty free....don't know how long that has been going on, but they give you one of those numbered cones for your vehicle, and hand you your purchase as you are crossing the border into Mexico....too many people stopping on the way home??????
Thanks for the report, Joe. When I went down on the 11th of June, the Duty Free store was doing the gauntlet handoff. I ask and the guy said that US Customs or Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, I'm not sure, had been in the day before and said they had to start doing it that way. He said they didn't say why. He just rolled his eyes at me. If Rosie wants to investigate it........ It takes a bit more time and I can't imagine how long it would take on a "busy' weekend. Memorial Day would be a nightmare!
My neighbor at PDO was driving behind the small car when the pick up truck, seems like driver fall sleep, appeared in the road and started to turn off to the left off the road, but the enbankment was enough to turn the truck back into the road and went straight into the front of the small car which roll end to end a few times and in it side a few more ending up in the arroyo.
Everybody made it alive from the wreck, the young girl, 14 years old, had some facial cuts and might have to have some work done in one eye, possibly glass, The father was ok but traumatized and kind of out of ot a bit and mom was the only one with a bad injury in her arm, which got trapped under the car, that was what took the longest to release, trying to move the car without damaging her arm any more and had to wait for jacks.
The truck driver was shocked, could not remember anything, he thinks he fall asleep.
Kevin had to drive off the road, the tire that came off the truck hit his windshield, jumped the dich, good reaction from his part controlling his truck, got away from the wreck and turned around and went to help, called 911 and he almost got run over by the cars speeding by as he is trying to remove all the pieces of steel and debries from the road, then realized and went to the help the people from the small car, which was the worst of both vehicles.
Luckly seems like everybody made it!!
They must have been wearing seat belts (not a pitch for that!!!)....or everyone would have been ejected!!! Ink, you neighbor was very lucky if the wheel didn't destroy his windshield...and him.
I talked to the truck driver. He told me the woman in the car crossed the line and overcorrected after a glancing blow on the pickup.That must be the reason for the long wait,conflicting stories. They were doing alot of measuring. We were ten cars back and waited just over 3 hours.
My bad, I misunderstood K2, the wheel almost hit him, debries hit his windshield all over. I must say he was VERY lucky!! and thru the night he party like it was 1999!! He was super happy to be down with out a scratch!!
just want to let everyone know the mom is a friend of mine and is not doing well....neck, back and nerve injury... please remember them and please drive safe!
Hello this is my first post, I am the person that was behind your friend my love goes out to the family, I am still a bit shook up from what happend, please give them my best. I also let the State Troopers know that it was not their fault the pickup driver remembered nothing. He must have fallen asleep. I called 911 within 1 min of the accident it was 10:15am. They were very quick only wish the helios were quicker. If you or the family wishes to talk to me or needs me in anyway please email me via this site. I am not going to post anymore in this forum about this accident what I saw is still to painful and makes me cry. Again my love and hugs to this family.
It was my family in the Mercedes SUV. My wife is critical with a broken neck and will never walk or have use of her hands again. My beautiful 12 year old daughter has had surgery for repairing a fractured skull and some broken toes. She has reconstructive surgeries coming for her right eye. Never saw the "sleeper" until he bashed into the side of the car tearing off a wheel and I lost control. Hard to control on 3 wheels. If he saw my wife in ICU, he wouldn't fall asleep again ever
It was me and my family. Craig cgiffis@auto-galleria.com
K2Kev said:
Hello this is my first post, I am the person that was behind your friend my love goes out to the family, I am still a bit shook up from what happend, please give them my best. I also let the State Troopers know that it was not their fault the pickup driver remembered nothing. He must have fallen asleep. I called 911 within 1 min of the accident it was 10:15am. They were very quick only wish the helios were quicker. If you or the family wishes to talk to me or needs me in anyway please email me via this site. I am not going to post anymore in this forum about this accident what I saw is still to painful and makes me cry. Again my love and hugs to this family.
Craig:
Myself and Michelle are very sorry for what you are going thru. This really hits close to home if there is anything you need please don't hesitate to ask We live in Phx and work close to downtown we as a community are here for you.
There are no strangers just Friend I haven't met yet
It was my family in the Mercedes SUV. My wife is critical with a broken neck and will never walk or have use of her hands again. My beautiful 12 year old daughter has had surgery for repairing a fractured skull and some broken toes. She has reconstructive surgeries coming for her right eye. Never saw the "sleeper" until he bashed into the side of the car tearing off a wheel and I lost control. Hard to control on 3 wheels. If he saw my wife in ICU, he wouldn't fall asleep again ever
Crait, with all that has happened, it's incredible that you've made time to come here and give us this news. For that, we thank you. My prayers go out to you and your family. May God bless you and keep you all.
My prayers go out to you....when you have kids, something like this really hits home....
Not wanting to get this thread off topic, but there is a possibility that the other driver suffers from sleep apnea...and fell asleep because of it.... For those of you who are heavy snorers, stop being in denial, and have yourself tested. I used to find myself falling asleep at 7:30 in the morning driving to work, and this was after what I thought was a good night's sleep. One trip back from Penasco, early afternoon, I had to pull off the road a couple of times because I just couldn't stay awake....fortunately, I never caused an accident as a result.
Again, I apologize if I've gone off the topic, but if this saves one person's life, it would be well worth it....
My thoughts are with you also, OP. RPJ, I do agree. My father suffers from this and falls asleep and I have tried to talk to him. He is now wanting to take my daughter on a cross country trip.
I have talked to him about the c-pap? He is resistant.
Having suffered thru it before, where I was actually slapping myself in the face to stay awake while driving, I would be very leary about permitting my child to go on a trip if the person was in denial and not on a c-pap. And yes, I know it can be a very sensitive matter within a family....you don't want to keep your daughter from being with her grandparent.....and as we get older, we get more stubborn and resistant (me included).
I've been on one for about 5 years. I know several others at work that use one. It's not something for him to be ashamed of. Sometimes it takes a bit for the person to find the right mask and get used to it...but there are many designs available. Your father will also have a higher risk of heart attack if he continues without it.
He has already had stents. And a pacemaker. He went to a sleep clinic a couple of years ago. They recommended a c pap and he refused. Said he could not sleep. Thanks, RPJ it is a hard and fine line . I appreciate your advice.
My thoughts are with you also, OP. RPJ, I do agree. My father suffers from this and falls asleep and I have tried to talk to him. He is now wanting to take my daughter on a cross country trip.
I have talked to him about the c-pap? He is resistant.
I once had to stop my great aunt when she was driving the car in front of us leaving Mexico. She went into the other lane to avoid a ground squirrel of some sort on a blind curve. I hurt her feelings but could not let my young son continue to drive with her.
OMG, like I said in another thread, I haven't been on here much lately so I'm just now reading this...... with tears in my eyes. No words can express how bad I feel for you and your entire family. Our thoughts and positive vibes are with you.............we truly are your internet family here. I know you have a lot on your plate right now, but do, please, try and keep us informed of their progress if you can.
Deanna is still in ICU and after several very grave incidents, she is still with us. She will never walk again but we are hoping for breathing on her own and use of her hands. My daughter Sarah sustained a fractured shull, a broken nose and a very damaged left eye. She is doing amazingly well. Her last surgery is Monday to rebuild the left orbit bone and plastic reconstruction of the left eyelids. She will keep her eye!
I'm one of those guys with 9 lives and pretty much walked out of it with just a stiff neck and a busted nose.
I'm keeping everyone abreast on facebook.
Craig Giffis
It was me and my girls in the accident. Please call me at 602-989-5060
K2Kev said:
Hello this is my first post, I am the person that was behind your friend my love goes out to the family, I am still a bit shook up from what happend, please give them my best. I also let the State Troopers know that it was not their fault the pickup driver remembered nothing. He must have fallen asleep. I called 911 within 1 min of the accident it was 10:15am. They were very quick only wish the helios were quicker. If you or the family wishes to talk to me or needs me in anyway please email me via this site. I am not going to post anymore in this forum about this accident what I saw is still to painful and makes me cry. Again my love and hugs to this family.
Me and my girls in the accident
Please call me
Craig 602-989-5060
Crait, I share your pain, you and family are in our prayers. Your post brings back to us that this was a long painful trip for you and your wife. So sorry that this memory ever existed but think like you, it is a small comfort she really is now at peace. How is your daughter holding up? Stay strong and know your RPT family is with you always.
