At Fort Independence Wednesday morning, a parked vehicle blocked the view of two motorists who collided, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP said that 22-year-old Emerald Mason drove out of a driveway and tried to turn north on Willow Lane in Fort Independence. Another car, driven by 51-year-old William Ratchford was traveling northbound on Willow Lane at approximately 33 miles per hour. Officers said the vehicles collided with Mason’s car hitting the front of Ratchford’s car.
The CHP report indicates that no one, except an infant in Ms. Mason’s car, was wearing seat belts. Four adults and the infant were transported to Southern Inyo Hospital with minor to moderate injuries. Those involved in the accident were all residents of Fort Independence.
The Independence Volunteer Fire and Ambulance crews responded as did the CHP and Inyo Sheriff.
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wow,someone deserves a pension for doing their job?i sold cars in riverside for 10 years,i desrve a pension for test driving maniacs and putting up with their bull****,
I assume you paid into Social Security during your 10 years selling cars and are vested in the Social Security system. I also assume you’ll collect on it when you are entitled to do so. You paid into it and are entitled to the full amount due based on what you contributed during your work years. In LE, we pay into the public employee system INSTEAD of Social Security. We are NOT entitled to SS unless we worked the required quarters either prior to or after our government careers. Then, because we already have gov’t pensions, the Windfall law cuts our SS benefits in half of what we would be entitled based on what we contributed into SS.
I have a saying in life, if you want the pay of a brain surgeon, then be a brain surgeon. If you want certain pay and benefits in life, then go do those jobs. It’s YOUR choice. There is no reason to attack those who have chosen professions where they have job security and good benefits, despite the economy. That is why many have chosen to work in government. However, when the economy is good, we still have the same pay. We don’t get annual bonuses or a lot of perks that are in the private sector when the economy is good.
If you want to improve your lot in life, then do so. I reiterate, if you can pass the test, you too can have the same pay and benefits as LE officers. It’s your choice. There is no need to berate those who have made different choices.
ADW- I guess the CEO and stock holders deserve to make all the profits and pensions off the backs of the working class? Trickle down theories have killed the middle class in this country. P.S. Anybody can become a cop strait of of high school in Bishop. That’s a fact.
That would be “straight” out of high school. You’re correct on this fact but not in your spelling.
I agree. There are many CEOs, overpaid celebrities, and sports figures making multi-million dollar salaries off the backs of the middle class. We pay those salaries when we purchase groceries, cars, clothings, electronics, etc. Where is the outrage?? Instead, goverment workers have been targeted as being the scourge of society. They are middle class citizens who pay their full share of taxes when it’s taken from their paycheck. Where is the outrage on those who work “under the table” or “skim the till” and not pay into the system? It is very narrow minded to focus an attack on government workers. That is the premise on which I’ve been making my stance.
ADW- sounds like I judged you wrong there. I’m glad i don’t use my real name.
There are some very bitter boomers out there who hate those who did the smart thing and put some money away into the SS system.
A lot of them are now angry Tea Party people wanting machine guns and storing ammo as their gurus Limbaugh, Beck, Palin and Bachmann are telling them to, ready for the overtaking of the government … any government.
Instead of using their vote to change things they cannot accept that they are now on the Treasonous list and should be watched carefully.
Lunatic- why do you think only the right wing people support owning guns? There are a lot of reasons people vote liberal that have nothing to do with guns. There are a lot of republicans that don’t own guns. Most people vote their pocket books.
Looks like some opinions need to be cleared up with some facts:
1) The CHP receives NO money from citations thus no funding for pensions from this source. The CHP if primarly funded from vehicle registration fees. Both the employer and the employees contribute to the pension fund, which has been in existence longer than Social Security, and unlike Social Security, the funds are invested in the stock market and other financial instruments to earn interest to fund the pensions.
2) Officers ask about the wearing of seatbelts because it is required to be documented on traffic collision reports.
3) Since you brought up the topic of pensions, ANYONE who can pass the strigent requirements to be a peace officer, strap on a gun and bullet proof vest, and work 30 years has earned that pension…if they are fortunate enough not to be killed in the line of duty.
This article was a good reminder to the public that the best way to protect yourself in a collision from injury and all the associated medical bills is to wear a seatbelt. SEATBELTS SAVE LIVES.
ADW- ya,ya,ya, this country got along just fine when cops gave a person a break and acted like humans. If you lock up and ticketed everybody that breaks a law, every body would be a criminal. All the stuff done in the name of public safety is chicken …. mixed in hog wash made for momma boys.
“If they are fortunate enough not to be killed in the line of duty”?? Pu-lease. You might want to check the stats on that…there are far more dangerous jobs out there. And the statistical danger-factor for Eastern Sierra LEOs is more or less nonexistent.
I’ve got plenty of respect for those who dedicate themselves to L.E. But the whole pretending that they are all selfless heroes who risk their lives daily routine is complete B.S.
p.s. bomber- why are you so negitive on people getting a pension? I know i’d luv to retire someday. Maybe then I could blog all day.
Will They be cited for not wearing seatbelts? Remember, every penny counts towards Funding those Big-Fat-Tax-Eater-Pensions 🙂
bomber- you got that right. I had a family member get in a accident and watch the police walk up and ask her why she didn’t have her seat belt on, while she was hurt and medics were trying to get her out.. She answered by saying, their trying to get me out, I took it off. Wonder why people like fireman and not police?
We had a company truck break down and quit running the other day near Town’s Pass in Death Valley….and one of the Rangers there told the driver if he doesn’t get the truck moved off the white line,he was going to cite him….for a parking violation.
I believe that Wayne, some of those Park rangers think they are God and you just walked into church to worship them. And they wonder why people don’t give them respect. I feel bad for the good ones like with any agency, always some who ruin everyone’s day.