OT: RIP Miss New Jersey 2013

[bac2therac]

I heard she was in a crash last Monday but she passed away this morning during surgery

RIP Cara McCollum..she was just 24.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/st.../former-miss-nj-dies-week-car-crash/80725462/

 

[BROTHERSKINNY]

You represented our state well and I am sorry you lost your life at such a young age. RIP Miss New Jersey.

 

[MrsScrew]

I heard she was in a crash last Monday but she passed away this morning during surgery

RIP Cara McCollum..she was just 24.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/st.../former-miss-nj-dies-week-car-crash/80725462/

RIP 24 is way too young for anyone to die.

But just to clarify, she did not die "during surgery" She was in the OR to have her organs harvested for donation which is why her family was able to be by her side, so I would have to believe that she was declared brain dead at some point. Unusual for the family to be in the OR but not unheard of. You are "alive" until your heart is harvested and then anesthesia removes you from the ventilator and you are declared dead. I participated in many organ donation surgeries during my time at RWJUH as an OR nurse, always a very moving experience, and I also participated in many heart transplants and kidney transplants, equally as moving.

A very generous gesture by her family. She probably changed &/or saved many lives yesterday

 

[fbc1866]

My heart goes out to her family.

 

[Southern Gentleman]

What a terrible loss and at such a young age!

I saw that she was born in Arkansas and graduated from Princeton.

 

[RU4Real]

The real message hasn't been delivered to this thread, yet.

She wasn't wearing her seat belt.

The reality of not wearing your seat belt is that if you go off the road and hit a tree, you will be ejected from the vehicle, will likely suffer a serious head injury and, if you still have a pulse, will remain on life support for about 72 hours while the medical team and your next-of-kin confirm that you are brain dead.

Wear your seat belts.

 

[Doteman]

My best friend died in a single car crash 20 years ago, was not wearing his seat belt, was ejected and passed a few days later. Buckle up.

 

[Beancounter88]

Terrible story but a leader in death - donating her organs to help others. RIP

 

[RUJohnny99]

I was on that patch of Route 55 roughly 45 minutes before her accident last Monday. I don't get spooked much by bad weather driving, but something just didn't feel right on that road in that storm.

For those not familiar with it, when 55 was built in the late 80s, the local Lenape tribe warned it was desecrating their sacred burial ground. Nobody thought about it until a couple construction workers were killed when their steamroller ran over them. There have been a ton of weird accidents on the road, and a woman driving in a snowstorm without her seat belt in 2016 just adds to the legend.

http://www.nytimes.com/1985/11/24/nyregion/is-new-road-tempting-fate.html

http://articles.philly.com/2005-05-18/news/25439434_1_icy-road-indian-burial-curse

 

[knights1212]

This is so sad. My prayers go out to Cara and her family.

 

[beaced]

I heard she was in a crash last Monday but she passed away this morning during surgery

RIP Cara McCollum..she was just 24.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/st.../former-miss-nj-dies-week-car-crash/80725462/

GOD BLESS HER.

 

[DJ Spanky]

It's sad that she died, but....

The real message hasn't been delivered to this thread, yet.

She wasn't wearing her seat belt.

The reality of not wearing your seat belt is that if you go off the road and hit a tree, you will be ejected from the vehicle, will likely suffer a serious head injury and, if you still have a pulse, will remain on life support for about 72 hours while the medical team and your next-of-kin confirm that you are brain dead.

Wear your seat belts.

I was going to post exactly that. If she'd had her belt on, we would probably have never even heard about her accident.

 

[SU68]

NBC10 in Philly ran a very nice tribute to her on the 11 o'clock news last night.

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news...y-Cara-McCollum-Dies-Car-Crash-369641111.html

 

[AreYouNUTS]

R.I.P, however...

....how on EARTH do people STILL not where their seat belts? I just don't get it.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

What a terrible loss and at such a young age!

I saw that she was born in Arkansas and graduated from Princeton.

That was one of the parts of the story that caught my attention, as well. I immediately MapQuested it to see where Forrest City is and to see if Lex might have grown up with her, but Forrest City is pretty far away from the Springdale area. One of the things an earlier article said about her is that when she first visited New Jersey, she knew this was the place for her because we drive fast. And so we do. I was deeply saddened by the news yesterday because I expected her to make a recovery. This whole situation is brutal, as I am familiar with what the family is going through and is gonna go through for the rest of their lives. The older I get, the harder this stuff hits, whether I knew the person or not.

Mrs. Screw, I can't imagine what being in the OR is like for the purpose of harvesting organs with the family present. I'll bet you very well remember the first time you were part of that event.

 

[Abro1975]

Isn't she from another state? Arkansas? Maybe they don't wear seat belts as a norm there.

 

[albanyknight]

I think the other message from this tragedy is to consider becoming an organ donor. You may one day save other people's lives.

 

[Kbee3]

R.I.P, however...

....how on EARTH do people STILL not where their seat belts? I just don't get it.

I'll admit to not wearing my seatbelt for years and years. I didn't like the way it made me feel. And I also have been in any number of accidents...some pretty serious...and always lucked out. But my wife eventually convinced me. Now I don't leave the driveway without buckling up.
I think it's called "getting old".

 

[kapyoche]

You hate to see someone so young die so senselessly. She made a difference in a lot of people's live by donating her organs and that speaks to her values.

 

[Rokodesh]

R.I.P, however...

....how on EARTH do people STILL not where their seat belts? I just don't get it.

+1

I don't get it either.

Very sad what happened here.

 

[Southern Gentleman]

Isn't she from another state? Arkansas? Maybe they don't wear seat belts as a norm there.

Despite what you might think, Arkansans drive vehicles that feature seat belts.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Despite what you might think, Arkansans drive vehicles that feature seat belts.

But I'm sure driving on paved roads must be quite an adjustment.

 

[Southern Gentleman]

But I'm sure driving on paved roads must be quite an adjustment.

What's a

But I'm sure driving on paved roads must be quite an adjustment.

What's a "paved" road?

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I'll admit to not wearing my seatbelt for years and years. I didn't like the way it made me feel. And I also have been in any number of accidents...some pretty serious...and always lucked out. But my wife eventually convinced me. Now I don't leave the driveway without buckling up.
I think it's called "getting old".

2 times (once in college, once about a year out...) I almost "bought it," but had my seat belt because the weather was shitty, and realized after the 2nd time - which was 10x scarier than the 1st despite having it on - how incredibly lucky I was. I decided there-and-then that weather would no longer matter and I would wear it, while in the front seat, every time I got into a car. I think I was 23 at the time and definitely the best decision I've ever made because the 3rd time, it was a beautiful day (late December, '09, was getting on a plane to St. Pete for our bowl game the next day...people might remember my face was all banged up from the air bag...), and if I didn't have my seat belt on I never would have attended another game again.

 

[Tango Two]

Anyone who chooses to not wear a searbelt is a fool and costs me and everyone else money

 

[Kbee3]

2 times (once in college, once about a year out...) I almost "bought it," but had my seat belt because the weather was shitty, and realized after the 2nd time - which was 10x scarier than the 1st despite having it on - how incredibly lucky I was. I decided there-and-then that weather would no longer matter and I would wear it, while in the front seat, every time I got into a car. I think I was 23 at the time and definitely the best decision I've ever made because the 3rd time, it was a beautiful day (late December, '09, was getting on a plane to St. Pete for our bowl game the next day...people might remember my face was all banged up from the air bag...), and if I didn't have my seat belt on I never would have attended another game again.

Well, I stopped for a red light one night just west of the Blue Star shopping center in Watchung and the tractor trailor behind me didn't. I can't describe what it looks like when you look in your rearview mirror in your Honda Civic and see the front of a tractor that's entering through your hatchback. Needless to say, my car was wrecked...and pushed a bit further west on Rte. 22. I kicked my way out thru the passenger side front door and the crowd that had gathered was yelling "He's Alive !" I looked back and my car was...I think the correct word would be "accordianized". I was fine. I wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
I've always been lucky like that.
So it took a lot for me to start wearing that damn belt. But my wife is persistent. I still don't like being strapped in. But I do it now...for peace in the family.

 

[Kbee3]

Anyone who chooses to not wear a searbelt is a fool and costs me and everyone else money

Yeah...it's about the money.:joy::joy::joy:

 

[ru78]

Sad to bear and hear bad news North East West South

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Well, I stopped for a red light one night just west of the Blue Star shopping center in Watchung and the tractor trailor behind me didn't. I can't describe what it looks like when you look in your rearview mirror in your Honda Civic and see the front of a tractor that's entering through your hatchback. Needless to say, my car was wrecked...and pushed a bit further west on Rte. 22. I kicked my way out thru the passenger side front door and the crowd that had gathered was yelling "He's Alive !" I looked back and my car was...I think the correct word would be "accordianized". I was fine. I wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
I've always been lucky like that.
So it took a lot for me to start wearing that damn belt. But my wife is persistent. I still don't like being strapped in. But I do it now...for peace in the family.

Wow!

Wasn't a tractor trailor, however, my 1st "eye-opener" was at a red light I stopped for, abut 3AM, Route 33 in Hamilton around the corner from my parent's place, and I looked up into my rear view mirror as some idiot was about to plow into the back of my car. Grabbed the wheel real tight, took my foot off the break, probably kept me out of the hospital doing both of those things, despite having my seat belt on, and the guy somehow took off before I could get my whits about me, et al, and get out of the car to look at his car make/license plate and whatnot.

 

[Extra Point]

Despite what you might think, Arkansans drive vehicles that feature seat belts.

I didn't think tractors needed seat belts.

 

[Extra Point]

Based on this article she was wearing her seat belt.

"NBC Philadelphia reports that she was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash though NJ.com reports that she wasn’t."

http://heavy.com/news/2016/02/cara-...eton-condition-boyfriend-fiancee-keith-jones/

 

[RU4Real]

Well, I stopped for a red light one night just west of the Blue Star shopping center in Watchung and the tractor trailor behind me didn't. I can't describe what it looks like when you look in your rearview mirror in your Honda Civic and see the front of a tractor that's entering through your hatchback. Needless to say, my car was wrecked...and pushed a bit further west on Rte. 22. I kicked my way out thru the passenger side front door and the crowd that had gathered was yelling "He's Alive !" I looked back and my car was...I think the correct word would be "accordianized". I was fine. I wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
I've always been lucky like that.
So it took a lot for me to start wearing that damn belt. But my wife is persistent. I still don't like being strapped in. But I do it now...for peace in the family.

Not to be argumentative, but wouldn't the car technically have been "Civicized?"

 

[yesrutgers01]

I have even started to wear a seatbelt while in a cab and or town car.

 

[RUJohnny99]

Anyone who chooses to not wear a searbelt is a fool and costs me and everyone else money

A woman lost her life & you choose to call her a fool? Sorry she cost you money. She paid a bigger price herself.

 

[Tango Two]

A woman lost her life & you choose to call her a fool? Sorry she cost you money. She paid a bigger price herself.

Yes, her and anyone else who chooses to not wear a seatbelt is a fool.
And yes, her decision cost us all money.

 

[RU62]

Tango, not a time for dumbass comments . As one can see the general sentiment is a stark and real reminder that wearing your seat belt is a smart thing to do.

As an aside how many of us have noticed in many areas and especially on exits and entrances along the GSP where the state has chosen to not have all street lights on for money saving (I guess) purposes. The same holds true on many other major roads. Areas on Route 22 exiting to Newark Airport are horrible and the run between the Driscoll Bridge and Route 1 have half of the lights out. Things like this contribute greatly to unfortunate accidents. And might I also add that many of us and particularly seniors will readily admit that nightime driving can be a nightmare because of this and the lack of maintenence in keeping the white lines visible.

 

[Kbee3]

Well, I stopped for a red light one night just west of the Blue Star shopping center in Watchung and the tractor trailor behind me didn't. I can't describe what it looks like when you look in your rearview mirror in your Honda Civic and see the front of a tractor that's entering through your hatchback. Needless to say, my car was wrecked...and pushed a bit further west on Rte. 22. I kicked my way out thru the passenger side front door and the crowd that had gathered was yelling "He's Alive !" I looked back and my car was...I think the correct word would be "accordianized". I was fine. I wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
I've always been lucky like that.
So it took a lot for me to start wearing that damn belt. But my wife is persistent. I still don't like being strapped in. But I do it now...for peace in the family.[/QUOT

Just to flesh out the story a bit: I was in the right lane going west on rte. 22. At the time I lived in an apartment just up the road. I think I was going home from a christmas party. The older couple in the other westbound lane also stopped for the red light. The tractor trailer was behind them. I never was stupid enough to stop for a red light on 22 with a tractor trailer or bus on my ass When I stopped for the light there was no one behind me. He veered over into my lane and smashed my poor brown Honda into its demise. The truck driver claimed he was having trouble staying awake and didn't see my vehicle as he attempted to run that red light. The couple in the other car said that he would have most likely killed them if he hadn't pulled his rig over into my lane and hit me. Not sure if they were wearing their seatbelts.
Anyway, the rescue squad people talked me into going with them to Muhlenberg hospital in nearby Plainfield....just to check things out and be sure I was OK. I was fine. My car didn't make it.
I've got loads of stories like that....although that's the best one. A bunch involve rte. 280 going to work at 4 in the morning up those two wonderful big hills to Roseland or coming down those same two hills at 3 in the morning coming home from work in Roseland. That's how I grew to love snow so much. But I made it...every time.
I've always been very fortunate. Otherwise I wouldn't be here.

 

[RU4Real]

Just to flesh out the story a bit: I was in the right lane going west on rte. 22. At the time I lived in an apartment just up the road. I think I was going home from a christmas party. The older couple in the other westbound lane also stopped for the red light. The tractor trailer was behind them. I never was stupid enough to stop for a red light on 22 with a tractor trailer or bus on my ass When I stopped for the light there was no one behind me. He veered over into my lane and smashed my poor brown Honda into its demise. The truck driver claimed he was having trouble staying awake and didn't see my vehicle as he attempted to run that red light. The couple in the other car said that he would have most likely killed them if he hadn't pulled his rig over into my lane and hit me. Not sure if they were wearing their seatbelts.
Anyway, the rescue squad people talked me into going with them to Muhlenberg hospital in nearby Plainfield....just to check things out and be sure I was OK. I was fine. My car didn't make it.
I've got loads of stories like that....although that's the best one. A bunch involve rte. 280 going to work at 4 in the morning up those two wonderful big hills to Roseland or coming down those same two hills at 3 in the morning coming home from work in Roseland. That's how I grew to love snow so much. But I made it...every time.
I've always been very fortunate. Otherwise I wouldn't be here.

 

[Kbee3]

Don't call me sweetie. It's Mr. Sweetie to you.
And where the frig is YOUR seatbelt, Bruce ?

 

[RU4Real]

Don't call me sweetie. It's Mr. Sweetie to you.
And where the frig is YOUR seatbelt, Bruce ?

Preachin' to the choir. I could never figure out why there are universal seat belt laws but there are a bunch of states that don't have helmet laws. I've seen enough "motorcyclist down" events to know that helmets save lives.