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Police say a 20-year-old male driver and his 6-year-old passenger were taken to the hospital after he flipped his truck near the Fred Meyer store at about 9:15 a.m. Thursday.
Juneau Police Department Sgt. David Wrightson said in a news release that the injuries were not life threatening. Bartlett Regional Hospital spokesman Jim Strader said both patients had since been treated and released.
A police investigation found that Thomas Marvelle was driving with his younger brother in a 2004 Dodge Ram pickup truck northbound on Egan Drive near Fred Meyer in the left lane, according to the release and JPD spokesman Lt. David Campbell.
The truck crossed through the median and into the oncoming lane of travel due to “driver inattention,” Campbell said. But when Marvelle swerved back into the proper lane, he hit the median, which caused the truck to roll over at least once, police said.
Campbell said Marvelle sustained minor scratching and swelling on his hands and wrists and a laceration on his left arm. The younger brother, who was buckled up in a car seat, had a band-aid on his forehead, Campbell said. The emergency room doctor told police it appeared as though all the wounds were superficial, and they would be “just fine,” Campbell said.
Police said Marvelle was cited for negligent driving. The truck was totaled and impounded.
Campbell said he didn’t know what the cause of the driver inattention was, but that it was not texting.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash.
• Contact reporter Emily Russo Miller at 523-2263 or at emily.miller@juneauempire.com.
Comments (50)
Add comment"fast lane"
It's the left lane, not the fast lane. Is "fast" the adverb to imply that it is the lane to use to drive faster than the imposed limit? Is the author implying that because the driver was in the "fast" lane that he was driving faster than the imposed limit? The left lane is commonly used as a resource for travelers that are traveling at a greater speed than the general flow of traffic, but not to provide a "fast" lane to drive fast.
Fast Lane
That would be the lane that slower traffic should stay out of. A lesson not understood by many drivers in Juneau.
If you are slower traffic, please do not camp out in the left lane.
Slower traffic keep right
If slower traffic is meant to keep to the right lane, as the signs implore those road users to do, then isn't it natural by extension to refer to the other one as the fast lane?
I don't think the author was implying anything, despite what you may have inferred.
I prefer to think of it as an overtaking lane, to be vacated when overtaking is complete.
Glad both are ok
Very scary situation. I don't know this young man but I hope he wasn't texting and driving. Now that it's a law not to text and drive, I see more people doing it. Distracted driving is so dangerous.
'Fast lane'
I used the phrase "fast lane" because that's how police referred to it in their news release. I couldn't get in touch with police for clarification before this story was posted online, but I took it to mean the left lane. I probably should have used it in quotes.
Here is JPD's release:
http://www.juneaupolice.com/PSA-template.php?UID=1305
Lane Designation
The standard way to designate a specific lane of travel when writing a report is to identify the direction of travel, in this case "Out the Road" (since no one is exactly sure what direction the Egan goes) and then list the number of the lane, numbering up from the center line, (Some roads have 6 or 7 lanes going each way) in this case "the number one lane". This is not ambiguous and does not confuse the issue with "Fast", "Slow", "Left", "Right" "Middle" or "whatever". Just trying to be helpful to the locals.
If you want to opine on how people drive then that is different subject. I am sure that none of the people who post here have ever [filtered word] off another driver by something that they did while driving.
In my experience, the "Fast"
In my experience, the "Fast" lane is the one where you are stuck behind the person going 45 instead of the "Slow" lane where you are stuck behind someone going 35. Although occasionally the two are synonymous as you are stuck behind two people side by side going 35.
Just an old guy
I know that I am old, perhaps senile, but also that I drive a van around town. A van, a car, pickup truck is not just a way to get around as conveniently as possible or fast as one can, it is a vehicle that can kill, disable or injure others. It is not a toy, like some video game.
I guess there is no way to really test people to see if they are really ready and qualified to ply the streets and roads. But if a person is involved in an accident like this, perhaps the next time they apply for a driver's license, they need to pass a "road test"
Driving is a full attention activity.
To all Juneau drivers
The left lane is for passing slower cars that are in the right lane or for utilizing a left lane egress of the roadway. Anyone who has an Alaska driver's license should be aware of this, as it is a subject of the rules of the road portion of your drivers test.
It is a fact that driving in the right lane is safer than driving in the left.
With this in mind, drive in the right lane. When approaching a slower moving vehicle signal your intentions by using your turn signal ahead of time, move into the left lane,pass the slower moving vehicle, signal your intention to return to the right lane and do so only when you are clear of the vehicle that you are passing, finally cancel your turn signal and maintain your speed.
(you know, like the drivers do down south)
Slapshot
I like your comment and explanation. But there is one thing I have noticed over the years. That is that when I am in the right or slower lane, and wish to move over into the fast lane, I wait until there is no one coming in that lane. If they are, then I wait until they have passed and then move. But there are those who cut right in front of me, with no one behind them or myself, and jump into the fast lane. Isn't it better to just wait a second or more and let the fast drivers past, and when there is no one coming, then to move into the next lane?
You seem to be a pretty careful driver.
Molson
I agree, that is a safe bet.
Thank you
Picking knits here, but Egan
Picking knits here, but Egan doesn't run North-South. It's actually more of an East-West direction.
And this speed thing is really becoming a big issue. Actually, it's been a problem for a long time, but it seems to be getting worse. Where are all these people going that they need to be driving 65-70mph or higher? Slow the heck down. I'll give you 60, because I know that's what JPD sets their radar alarm at, but beyond that really isn't necessary. I had a blue Ford sedan pass me yesterday just befor the overpass heading to the valley, and he must have been doing at least 70. In fact, when he was swerving from lane to lane, you could see the car leaning with every direction change. How much time did he pick up by going this fast? None! I pulled up next to him at McNugget intersection. Stupid and dangerous!
What I hate...
What I hate the most is driving in the right lane and having to hit my brakes because some dimwit is merging from an on ramp going way too slow! They are supposed to merge with the traffic on the highway.
55 is speed limit
And it is perfectly legal to drive in the "fast" lane at 55. For those wishing to go slower than the speed limit, please use the right lane.
Legal & right
Driving 55 in the left lane is indeed legal. But it's not right if the right lane is open. Otherwise, the car driving 56 is passing you on the right.
Here's a hint: If cars continue to pass you in the right lane...you should probably be driving in the right lane, regardless if you're going 45 or 65. Use the left lane to pass and then get back right.
Wink
For those impeding traffic by using the left lane, please move to the right, like the signs suggest. They're the other signs that look similar to the speed limit signs....Slower traffic keep right!!
Pace cars are for the Indy 500, and other auto racing events. They have no place on the expressway.
As for the accident, glad the injuries weren't serious. Young Mr. Marvelle, should get some driving lessons from kpawsuh....
20 Year Old
I remember when I was 20 and did all kinds of stupid driving so it didn't surprise me what happened with this accident. I am very happy the 6 year old did not get seriously injured and same for the 20 year old driver, I hope they both learned something of value to bring with them into the future.
Good Job big brother
All conjecture aside, GREAT job big brother (or whomever did the job) for ensuring your brother was properly secured in a safety seat. Too many people are lacks with such a step. You/they saved his life.
Texting, I hope not
With all the news out there about the dangers of texting and driving I still see it all the time. Raininak, good call on big brother, the 6 year old wouldn't have put himself in the car seat. Good for you big brother I'm sure you did save little brothers life.
To all those commenting about
To all those commenting about texting, you did see in the article where it says "Campbell said he didn’t know what the cause of the driver inattention was, but that it was not texting"
Accidents happen. Glad no one was hurt.
As for the slow or fast lane, my favorite was when a friend told me she gets in the "fast" lane, because the "slow" lane has all those merge lanes, and she was afraid of the merging traffic. I'm sorry, but please report to DMV and turn in your license...
Also, Thank God he was
Also, Thank God he was driving something with a little more oomph than a prius! The fact that it was a truck with some steel probably saved his life!
Ram named most dangerous
Believe it or not, Dodge Ram 1500's were recently named the most dangerous car in America.
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/05/ram-1500-tops-list-of-most-da...
Join the facebook group "Juneau Slow Drivers Stay Right"
http://www.facebook.com/groups/114717695258429/
Because it is actually ILLEGAL to travel slowly in the left lane...especially if cars are lining up behind you! Let's help get these slow drivers off the road!
"slow" in the fast lane
I view my driving in the "fast lane" as a civil service.
I find a person who is driving carefully and 55 mph in the right lane, then I approach that car in the left lane and also drive 55 mph. This forces all cars behind us to obey the speed limit. Nobody gets by, sometimes all the way from downtown to Back Loop Road.
Nic
You know there are therapist's that deal with Control Issues every day. By law the drivers that are going slower then the other cars are required to move to the right, so unless you are an officer you are not in charge of moderating traffic by force. If a person is driving dangerously fast you have permission to call the police if you have a blue tooth on or after you pull off to the side of the road when it is safe.
@Nic
You, sir, are a [filtered word]. Does the person safely driving in the right lane that you pull up and drive right next to ever give you the finger? I will if you do that to me.
it's all about awareness....
If you are paying attention when you are driving, you are looking ahead at what's happening more than 1 or 2 car lengths in front of you, you are aware if and when someone is coming up fast in your rearview mirror, and you are aware if someone is driving right next to you or preparing to merge (of course, it also helps if everyone uses turn signals properly, like BEFORE you actually enter the off-merge lane at Fred Meyers. That means you phone people need TWO hands to hold the wheel and signal properly, and your full attention on the 360 degrees surrounding your car).
If someone is driving parallel to someone in the 'slow' lane, I will (politely) flash my lights at them, since I assume they are not paying attention, and have not seen me. It's the road equivalent (like the turn signal) to 'excuse me, I'd like to get by, thanks'.
Nic
People like you are nothing but fools. You need to get bumpered.
You never know what the
You never know what the reasons are for speeding. I rushed a friend to the hospital once because she couldn't wait for an ambulance. How does that fit into your control issues, Nic? Should she have died so you could be Master of the Road? If I am in the fast lane, going 60 and I see someone coming up behind, I get over. I would do the same if I were going 90 and someone wanted to pass. You never know what their circumstances are. For all you know they could be drunk and rear end your sorry but. You are not a cop. Let them worry about speeders. Be polite and get the heck out of the way. Smile and wave!
Merging traffic
While it is true that those merging into traffic need to get their speed up to join in the flow, it is also true that those already traveling in the right lane are legally required to move over or otherwise make space for the incoming traffic.
And speaking of merging, those traveling inbound (toward town) and turning right to get on the bridge to Douglas do NOT have a merge lane. See that yield sign? That means you yield to others before gaining entrance to the bridge road. You are putting other motorists at risk every time you ignore that yield sign.
KP - I remember you bringing up that story before about speeding to the hospital. It always pops into my mind when I see someone speeding up behind me in my rearview mirror and now I get over as fast as I can: I am ensuring they safely reach their destination OR I am getting out of the way of a drunk. Either way, it is safer for me to move.