Revisiting the Scene of Saturday's Beachwood Drive Accident, and Encountering Another
After I posted about Saturday's manure truck accident, my neighbor Christine Kent wrote, "what your photo doesn't show is that if someone was in that car they would be seriously injured or dead...the driver side is completely crushed." From her photo, it's easy to see what would have happened if the parked vehicle hadn't been empty.
Crushed on Beachwood Drive/Courtesy Christine Kent
She also suggested I go up to see the marks left behind from the car's dragging, so late this afternoon I walked up and took these pictures. Not only did I find long drag marks but actual gouges from the impact of the overturned rig.
The Aftermath of Saturday's Manure Truck Accident on N. Beachwood Drive/Photos by Hope Anderson Productions
Walking north on Beachwood Drive is always a bit scary. The sidewalk ends soon after the intersection of Beachwood and Westshire, leaving no alternative to walking in the street. This is what throngs of hikers do, almost always several abreast, but even single file isn't safe on such a narrow street. After I took my pictures, I walked south along the west side of the street, hugging the edge of the road as cars whizzed by. I was glad to get home uneventfully. Half an hour later I heard a loud bang, followed by sirens. I went out to find this scene:
This afternoon's Beachwood Drive accident, only two blocks south/All photos Hope Anderson Productions
Apparently only the driver of one of the cars was hurt, something of a miracle at a time when dog walkers and bicyclists are always on the street. If the Hollyridge Trailhead weren't temporarily closed, there probably would have been a group of tourists walking where the accident took place. There's no doubt there will be future accidents on Beachwood Drive--the road will always be narrow and winding, with too much vehicular traffic. But if the City reopens the Hollyridge Trailhead as planned, the next accident might have much graver consequences.