Driver Abandons Car After Her Passenger Dies Causing Traffic Mess On The 405

[cpzilliacus]

KNX Radio: Driver Abandons Car After Her Passenger Dies Causing Traffic Mess On The 405

A driver abandoned her car Sunday afternoon – after her passenger died —  causing a major traffic nightmare on the 405 in Sherman Oaks.

The 40-something driver apparently panicked after her 60-something passenger died.

[hm insulators]

As if the 405 isn't bad enough without some idiot goofing it up?!

"Gee, my passenger just died; whaddle-I-do? I know: I'll park the car in the middle of the freeway and walk away!"

[Jessica Black]

Oh god, the 405 is one of the worst freeways in Los Angeles. Before I moved to Tokyo, I remember sitting in traffic on it one time on the way back from Long Beach and I felt like this the entire time. But, this person is an idiot and makes me want to do this.       

[agentsteel53]

damn; usually the 405 isn't terrible on a Sunday.

this person is an idiot.

[florida]

She didn't want to partake in Weekend at Bernice's?

[Zmapper]

Good thing she wasn't in a carpool lane - that's a clear ticket for an occupancy violation!

* Zmapper ducks

[roadfro]

"2 or more persons per vehicle" doesn't necessarily mean two *living* persons...

[Zmapper]

At least in California, "2 or more persons per vehicle" necessitates that both be *living* people.

http://www.times-standard.com/autos/ci_8102389

"Question: Can a hearse with a corpse as the only passenger use the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lane?
- Ricky Francisco
Answer: Just like the unborn children of mothers-to-be, and our four-legged, fur-covered friends, I'm afraid those who have passed on do not count as valid passengers when considering legal occupancy for the HOV lane.
They do not meet the legislative intent of getting people to car pool, i.e. fewer vehicles on the freeways.
When a person is deceased, they fall short of meeting the definition of a "person," which according to the vehicle code book is defined as only a natural (living) person."

[Brandon]

At least in California, "2 or more persons per vehicle" necessitates that both be *living* people.

http://www.times-standard.com/autos/ci_8102389

"Question: Can a hearse with a corpse as the only passenger use the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lane?
- Ricky Francisco
Answer: Just like the unborn children of mothers-to-be, and our four-legged, fur-covered friends, I'm afraid those who have passed on do not count as valid passengers when considering legal occupancy for the HOV lane.
They do not meet the legislative intent of getting people to car pool, i.e. fewer vehicles on the freeways.
When a person is deceased, they fall short of meeting the definition of a "person," which according to the vehicle code book is defined as only a natural (living) person."

However, that does lead to an interesting question:
What if you are in the HOV lane and your passenger dies on you before you can get out of the HOV lane, are you then in violation?

[kphoger]

If a police officer pulled you over, and you explaied what happened, I really doubt he'd still issue you a ticket!   

[mtantillo]

Wow.  At least pull the car over to the shoulder before abandoning it...  Really the only time it is semi-acceptable to abandon a car on the highway is if you are stuck behind an accident and it is clear you won't be moving for a while (I did this once), and even then you should pull off onto the shoulder if possible. 

[Alps]

Wow.  At least pull the car over to the shoulder before abandoning it...  Really the only time it is semi-acceptable to abandon a car on the highway is if you are stuck behind an accident and it is clear you won't be moving for a while (I did this once), and even then you should pull off onto the shoulder if possible. 

How about an approaching tornado?

[kphoger]

Wow.  At least pull the car over to the shoulder before abandoning it...  Really the only time it is semi-acceptable to abandon a car on the highway is if you are stuck behind an accident and it is clear you won't be moving for a while (I did this once), and even then you should pull off onto the shoulder if possible. 

How about an approaching tornado?

That could end badly, if an approaching vehicle comes along before you make it back to yours.