DPS: Speed a factor in crash
The 19-year-old woman who was killed in a car crash last Saturday was driving at a high rate of speed, according to the Department of Public Safety yesterday.
Acting DPS spokesman Sgt. Jason Tarkong said that preliminary police investigation revealed speed as a definite factor in the crash.
Besides that statement, Tarkong said “the case is currently under investigation.”
Preliminary investigation showed that Su Min Jung was going eastbound on As Terlaje Hill aboard a beige 2013 Hyundai Tucson.
The vehicle, a five-door wagon, ran off the road to the right and collided with the Northern Marianas College’s retaining wall. The vehicle then went straight toward the concrete traffic light pole at the eastern shoulder of Chalan Monsignor Guerrero Road and intersection of Tun Antonio Apa Road.
Tarkong said the vehicle sustained extensive damage from the impact and the fire.
He said that Jung was lifeless when recovered from the driver’s seat.
He said police responded on Saturday at 12:46am to the scene. When they arrived, they saw the front half of the Hyundai Tucson was resting up against the traffic light and was engulfed in flames.
Witnesses told police that there was an occupant trapped inside the vehicle.
Tarkong said Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services ambulance and rescue units were also on scene.
At that time, the wind was strong and the front half of the vehicle was already engulfed in flames, Tarkong said.
Traffic investigators gathered evidence at the scene and statements from eyewitnesses.
Tarkong said that Jung was identified by her father, who arrived at the scene.
DFEMS earlier identified the victim as Soomin Jung.
Jung’s body was brought to the Commonwealth Health Center, where Dr. Florence Schenker pronounced her dead at 3:35am.
Saipan Tribune learned that Jung had just come from the hospital to visit a sister who had just given birth. She was said to be on her way to a friend’s house in As Lito when the accident happened.
Jung’s family is engaged in the business of selling fabrics on Saipan.
Tarkong said Saturday’s crash marks the third traffic fatality this year.
Her name is Soo Min Jung, not Su Min. Please correct this article.
Analyzer • 5 hours ago
Speed factor doesn’t cut it, professional cops would be able to estimate the top speed numbers, it’s sad that CNMI cops are not train to figure out the exact speed to be specific when it comes to numbers like the car was traveling at what rate of speed 70 or 90 this is what happens when officers are not trained properly. speed factor doesn’t cut it, give us the exact speed numbers during the crash impact.period, see speed measurement should give the exact miles per hour before the crash impact be specific.
Mr. Abe • 7 hours ago
It’s time to bust the First Responder Myth.
People who are paid to do the job, like DPS Officers, EMS personnel, Firefighters, etc. are routinely called “First Responders”.
The REAL first responders are people who are involved in an accident or attack or other incident and have to respond to protect their own life or the lives of family or friends. Sometimes third persons nearby who choose to get involved become first responders.
On Saipan there have been cases of “Good Samaritans” giving CPR to drowning victims at the beach, and at least a couple lives have been saved by those REAL first responders because life guards and EMS personnel were too far away to help on time.
In the case of Soomin Jung, anybody driving by when or shortly after the accident happened could have pulled over and tried to do something to help, like for example trying to put out the fire if you had a small fire extinguisher in your car, or trying to get the victim out before the fire became so big that nobody could get close enough to try to help.
To summarize:
1. Official “First Responders” ARE NOT FIRST.
2. The victim or a third person, maybe you someday, is first, and needs to decide whether to help or to just call 911 and hope for the best.
I like this Active Self Protection channel on youtube that shows videos of real-life attacks, accidents, etc. and talks about what went right, what went wrong, and what you might be able to do when it’s your turn as a REAL FIRST RESPONDER.
https://www.youtube.com/cha…