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Sleep Apnea Blamed for Wreck
another wreck caused by untreated sleep apnea (http://www.dailymail.com/policebrfs/200909080117):
A St. Albans man lost control of his Pontiac Bonneville along U.S. 60 at Almeda Street just before 9 a.m. Monday, according to the St. Albans Police Department.
Richard Inman, 59, told authorities that he suffered from sleep apnea. Witnesses said the vehicle drifted into oncoming traffic before hitting a utility pole and rolling several times. Inman, who was treated at the scene by Kanawha County paramedics, declined transport to the hospital.
A St. Albans man lost control of his Pontiac Bonneville along U.S. 60 at Almeda Street just before 9 a.m. Monday, according to the St. Albans Police Department.
Richard Inman, 59, told authorities that he suffered from sleep apnea. Witnesses said the vehicle drifted into oncoming traffic before hitting a utility pole and rolling several times. Inman, who was treated at the scene by Kanawha County paramedics, declined transport to the hospital.
Views: 82
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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Was he being treated for his apnea? I wonder. It is one thing to know that you have a disorder and do nothing about it. When that untreated disorder puts others at risk it should be treated as a criminal act.
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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i'm guessing he falls into the large category of people who know they have it, but aren't doing anything about it.
Rock Hinkle said:Was he being treated for his apnea? I wonder. It is one thing to know that you have a disorder and do nothing about it. When that untreated disorder puts others at risk it should be treated as a criminal act.
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That was my guess too.
Mike said:i'm guessing he falls into the large category of people who know they have it, but aren't doing anything about it.
Rock Hinkle said:Was he being treated for his apnea? I wonder. It is one thing to know that you have a disorder and do nothing about it. When that untreated disorder puts others at risk it should be treated as a criminal act.
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if that's the case, his conduct goes from merely negligent to reckless. it's like playing Russian Roulette with a gun. you know something could go terribly wrong, but you just don't care.
Rock Hinkle said:That was my guess too.
Mike said:i'm guessing he falls into the large category of people who know they have it, but aren't doing anything about it.
Rock Hinkle said:Was he being treated for his apnea? I wonder. It is one thing to know that you have a disorder and do nothing about it. When that untreated disorder puts others at risk it should be treated as a criminal act.
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Permalink Reply by Gerald Allen on
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I know what its like. I've been there, I thought I had it lick. Then I did some thing about it. It had taken a while,but I'm working on it. I all most lost it one time. And thanks to Sleepguide I'm doing better. Just not there yet. Thank you all for your input.
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Crying apnea after an accident is definately wrong. I do understand that sometimes it takes a near death situation to occur for some of us to do something about it. This just sounds like this guy is trying to use it to get out of some liability.
Jerry I am very glad that you have taken an active role in your situation. So many of us do not.
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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on
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FYI--I had a really stupid wreck last year---had no idea I had apnea but have always been struck by how ridiculous my error was; Same corner, same lane, same turn I've made thousands of times. Sat at the red light, then turned right and drove straight into a car that was turning on an arrow--I KNOW there's an arrow there, perfectly well.. When I described it to my sleep doc last week, after he started questioning me about it, and finally said, "You were asleep". That's the only thing that makes sense. It was clearly my fault. I knew exactly what the traffic flow is there. I don't remember pulling out or seeing the car coming, (it would have easily been seen coming around and across the intersection--don't remember a thing till the car hit mine. I've NEVER been able to understand how that happened. Once I got to SS, and started filling out papers and answering questions, which repeatedly asked about falling asleep while driving and/or have an MVA while asleep, I started to wonder if that's what it was. There's just no explanation. I haven't driven all summer except for essential things, and then VERY aware of my awake (?) state. I have yet to drive out of town. Before I was diagnosed I was attending church regularly out of town and had begun doing that fall asleep/jerk awake thing that happens when you drive too long. The last time I drove over there (still not diagnosed) I scared myself so bad I haven't been back since. That was 2-3 weeks before I was dx apnea. Had never occurred to me--didn't really even know what apnea was except by definition..........yeah, driving with untreated apnea if you know you have it is absolutely reckless if you're not being treated. I was a menace on the road and had no clue.......Scary!\
Susan McCord
Rock Hinkle said:Crying apnea after an accident is definately wrong. I do understand that sometimes it takes a near death situation to occur for some of us to do something about it. This just sounds like this guy is trying to use it to get out of some liability.
Jerry I am very glad that you have taken an active role in your situation. So many of us do not.
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Permalink Reply by Tim on
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I hope that they take his license away until he he is compliant with CPAP. There is no reason for people with sleep apnea to put other peoples' lives at risk.
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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If a person knows they have sleep apnea and is not treating it, then they DO need their license pulled. I view it as the same class as driving under the influence. A very dangerous combination. A person with seizure disorders are supposed to have their seizures under control before operating a motor vehicle, same difference in my opinion.
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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I agree. I don't even care if you know you have sleep apnea or not. If you know you are tired and tend to nod off or wonder how you got to where you are you should NOT be driving UNTIL you find the cause and a treatment or cure! As was said, you are playing Russian Roulette w/other people's lives; an accident on its way to happening, a loaded gun ......
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Permalink Reply by RD on
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Or, don't know what to do about it -- or how? I suspected I might have a sleep disorder for many years. Worked two jobs to pay bills, tried to go to school, even drove a semi for a number of years. It was easy to attribute my "tiredness" to putting in the hours to subsist in my world. Could he be in the same boat? But on the other hand, could SA be a lame excuse for talking on the cell phone, eating or spilling coffee in his lap. The accident did occur during morning commuter hours. . .
Mike said:i'm guessing he falls into the large category of people who know they have it, but aren't doing anything about it.
Rock Hinkle said:Was he being treated for his apnea? I wonder. It is one thing to know that you have a disorder and do nothing about it. When that untreated disorder puts others at risk it should be treated as a criminal act.
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In the article it states that he blamed sleep apnea for the accident. Apparently he has been diagnosed or at least suspects he has it. If it was just a handy excuse, what if someone had lost their life? Would that excuse still be legitimate to be let off the hook? In myopinion, no.
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