Someone said they saw an nasty accident near Henry and Coulter last night. Anyone know what happened? Was it the S curve again?

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What? Me worry?

Aug 3, 2007 10:05 pm US/Eastern
Man Killed In East Falls Crash

(CBS 3) PHILADELPHIA A man in his 20s was killed after his car struck a tree in the East Falls section of Philadelphia Friday.

Police said the crash occurred in the 3900 block of Henry Avenue just after 7 p.m.

The victim’s vehicle overturned after his car ran into a tree. He was taken to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

http://cbs3.com/local/local_story_215220958.html

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What? Me worry?

I have lived on the 3900 block of henry ave for 11 years, and this was the most horrific accident I have seen yet. Car was travelling southbound at way too high a speed, inexperienced driver, brakes applied too late (after the S curve) and with too little force, so car slammed into a sycamore tree with enough force to totally demolish the car. Driver was ejected (probably through the windshield, but nobody saw), but was initially still alive and lying in the street obviously very badly hurt. Two medics were there to help. When FD ambulance arrived (quickly), he had stopped breathing. The put an oxygen mask on and did CPR but to no avail. One more horrible tragedy; the driver leaves behind a mother and a brother overcome with extreme grief.

Something must be done to stop these horrendous accidents. Every time something like this happens, the city responds briefly but ineffectively. One suggestion I have is to install traffic cameras on both ends of the 3900 block to catch speeders. A nice side effect would be that it would slow down SEPTA buses, which often speed along this stretch of henry ave.

Orther suggestions, anyone?

uh, YEH. drivers have to actually PAY ATTENTION while driving. Golly! What a concept.....! Cameras & street signs, etc. etc. ain't gonna do a thing.

not to be insensitive, of course this is horrible for the family - but the brutal truth here (i am a philadelphian after all) is that this driver brought it upon himself. it's not the S curve or any other thing aside from the driver himself, that caused the accident.

the only thing that will stop incidents like this, is when drivers actually pay attention, watch what the hell they are doing, and drive at a safe speed for conditions.

I know that on Jarrettsville Pike in MD, they straightened out a sharp curve or so because there were so many accidents from the turn. I guess if enough people get into enough accidents at this S-curve, then the city might think it's worth the money to spend on redoing the road rather than sending emergency crews out to the same area constantly.

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SEPTA is short for "Septic Tank" -chessimprov!

I remember that "curve". I was driving home from a bar, completely sober, and that curve looked like a dead end. As I remember it was a 90 degree turn in the road. When I drove up there it was light outside and no problem, but when the sun went down there were no lights on that "curve" and as I recall most of the accidents there happened at night.

On Henry I suspect speed and driver error are the largest factors. I suspect there are signs and they indicate a lower speed limit.

How about rumble strips?

Rumble strips, now THERE'S a good idea; alerting the driver to slow down and pay attention to the fact that they're goin too fast.

My husband and I also live on Henry close to where the accident occured. My husband is a retired firefighter who responded to many EMS calls. When he heard the crash, he went to see if he could help. What he saw now haunts him. The answer is NOT to straighten the S curve so that drivers can speed ..it is rumble strips and how about a traffic speed monitor so drivers can be made aware of their excessive speed. Like many other neighbors, I am a avid dog walker and the thought that an innocent walker or stroller could have been involved is frightening..

Would these drive residents of Henry Ave. crazy?

Most houses are set pretty far back on Henry, so probably not.