Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Did Barnett Shale Drilling Lead To Burleson Woman's Fatal Accident?

On Tuesday, June 23, 2009, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that a Burleson woman, Megan Porter, 24, died at the scene of where her Chrysler Sebring ran head-on into a tractor trailer, about 5 miles south of Cleburne, on Farm Road 1434.

State troopers arrived at the wreck at 7:20 pm, Monday.

There was no mention made in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram regarding what the tractor trailer was hauling or why it was on a Farm Road.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, the Cleburne Times-Review reported that on Monday, the same day as the fatal wreck, Johnson County Commissioners voted to close County Road 426 to truck traffic. The closed section runs from County Road 317 to Farm-to Market Road 3136, in an area known as the Midway Community, where about 25 families live.

An area resident was quoted as saying, "We’re asking the commissioners to eliminate the gas-related water trucks from using the road as a cut through to the highway. It’s a danger to the residents; the road wasn’t built to handle that kind of traffic; and the damage is going to cause the county to spend more money to repair the road.”

Another area resident told the commissioners he had counted 36 trucks traveling the road from 7 - 8:30 a.m. Monday. The resident said, “Some were going the speed limit; some were not. I’ve been challenged by trucks several times. There’s no shoulder to speak of to pull off on.”

Another resident, living at the end of the road, said gas-well trucks use the road to access a well site and frequently back up onto his property to turn around.

There was no mention made in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram article regarding gas-well truck danger leading to Johnson County road closures.

And there was no mention made in the Cleburne Times-Review article on road closures regarding the fatal head on collision between a truck and a car in Johnson County.

Strange.

10 comments:

Cheap Tricks and Costly Truths said...

"Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive" Scott

This is a great blog...definitely a puzzle to piece together. I concur, 'tis strange.

I think the resident whose property is being used as a turnaround should invest in some tack strips. :)

Durango said...

I think if it were my driveway I would block it. Or set up a toll gate.

twister said...

You were questioning this, I know.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/business/energy-environment/24geotherm.html?ref=business

Durango said...

Thanks, Mister Twister, that was interesting. Must ponder how to blog this info.

markzero said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zane Aveton said...

Is this an actual picture of meg porter's accident? So sad. :(

@zaneology

Durango said...

No. I could not find a picture of the accident. I Googled "truck car head on collision" and found that picture.

Steve Porter said...

As Megan's father, I find the inclusion of a wreck photo, whether real or not, to be grossly out of bounds and incredibly insensitive. I don't know what effect you were going for. Bad judgement.

As for Megan, the final DPS report suggests that she hit a patch of lime deposited on the road from the lime trucks who enter the road about a 1/4 of a mile from the scene. She was not speeding, so end that speculation right now. According to the DPS the lime is like hitting ice, with little or no control.

We miss our darling Megan more than I can find the words for.

Sophie said...

I don't understand why industrial traffic was allowed on this road? We don't know what happened on that evening but there were lime deposits - Megan was wearing a seatbelt and there is no evidence at all that she was speeding.

She was a great wit, raconteur, singer and photographer who was loved by so many on Twitter and beyond. We love and miss you Megan - Rest in Peace.

Mesa Car Accident said...

My heart goes out to Megan's family. May her soul rest in peace.