911 Call Gives Chilling Details of I-75 Accidents � the CALL CAME in at 4:03 Woman for More Information
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Gators guard Brad Beal took home his SEC-leading fourth Freshman of the Week honor on Monday. See story, page 14. Not officially associated with the University of Florida Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida We Inform. You Decide. VOLUME 106 ISSUE 90 WWW.ALLIGATOR.ORG TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012 911 call gives chilling details of I-75 accidents � THE CALL CAME IN AT 4:03 woman for more information. whose name was edited out of the than that, though, the woman in front of her face, she said. And A.M. SUNDAY. It was across the median in the tape. couldn’t give any more detail. on a morning when nature blind- northbound lane, said the woman, A truck was involved. Other She could barely see her hand folded drivers — leaving 10 dead, 21 hospitalized and countless more TYLER JETT lives forever changed — the wom- Alligator Staff Writer an on the phone could only rely on sound to paint the tragedy. At 4:03 a.m. Sunday, just min- Her friend thought she heard utes before the madness started, a couple other crashes earlier. She one crash on Interstate 75 seemed wasn’t sure, though. She knew she almost ordinary. heard something. A silver Toyota heading south Then, just as the dispatcher through the haze of smoke and tried to hang up, the group heard fog slammed into the guardrail in a sharp, loud ping. The crash was the far-left lane. The driver of the undeniable. The woman on the car veered to the right, coming to a phone started talking to someone stop in the grass off the highway. else in the area. Fifty-six seconds Nothing too serious; all of the later, another sharp noise, like an passengers were safe. One woman aluminum baseball bat connect- called 911 to report the crash and ing. request a tow truck. They were One minute, 24 seconds passed. about three miles south of the Ar- The dispatcher asked how many cher Road exit, and the call was people were injured. The woman calm and routine. cut her off: “Uh-oh. Uh-oh. An- Three and a half minutes into other one.” the conversation, the Alachua The dispatcher asked for de- County Sheriff’s Offi ce dispatcher tails. The woman didn’t know. The prepared to hang up. dispatcher asked if chemicals were “I’m going to have to let you involved. A loud pop. go,” the dispatcher said. “We have “Another one,” the woman told a lot of lines ringing right now, but the dispatcher. “Oh my goodness. we do have help going out there This is bad.” with you, and—” Crying fi lled the background. “Oh, s**t!” the caller interrupt- Fifty-fi ve seconds later, another ed. “Another crash. Oh my gosh.” Courtesy to the Alligator / Alachua County Sheriff’s Offi ce crash. The dispatcher asked anoth- In the 911 call released by the Pictured above is the view of Interstate 75 from an Alachua County Sheriff’s Offi ce vehicle at the time er question. Fifteen seconds later, Sheriff’s Offi ce on Monday after- of the crashes Sunday morning. noon, the dispatcher pressed the SEE CRASH, PAGE 8 CITY ELECTIONS Apple launches textbook app Polls open today until 7 p.m. ADRIANNA PAIDAS with a signature, she said. Gator 1 Cards KELSEY MEANY Top publishers such as McGraw-Hill, Alligator Writer will be accepted. Alligator Contributing Writer Pearson and Houghton Miffl in Harcourt Only registered Republicans will have have already added textbooks to the online Today is not only election day for the the primary on their ballots. Apple Inc. is integrating technological store. Florida Republican Presidential Prefer- Carpenter said she encourages every- advancement into the world of education. John Sculley, former CEO of Apple and ence Primary, but it is also election day for one to go out and vote, especially because The company introduced the launch of co-worker of the late Steve Jobs, said Apple two seats on the Gainesville City Commis- the city elections are bipartisan. iBooks 2.0, an application available for iP- has always had the inten- sion. hone and iPad only, on Jan. 19. tion of changing educa- After long hours of sign-holding, “Voting is our way of giving According to Apple’s website, iBooks 2.0 tion through technologi- hand-shaking and debating, residents will direction...” is “an entirely new kind of textbook that’s cal innovation. have a chance to choose who will fi ll the Pam Carpenter dynamic, current, engrossing and truly in- “I understand that Gainesville City Commission at-large 1 county supervisor of elections teractive.” Steve saw the chance to and District 1 seats. The iPad version is a touch screen-friend- reinvent the whole text- The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to “We hear a lot of rumbling sometimes ly textbook featuring interactive diagrams, book market so that it 7 p.m. about how our government is working,” videos, multi-dimensional objects, photos Jobs would be less expensive All registered voters can vote at their she said. “Voting is our way of giving di- and easy note-taking abilities. The launch and more accessible to designated precinct, which can be found rection, be it on the municipal, state or fed- also includes access to iBooks Author, a free more people,” Sculley said. “Apple is try- at www.votealachua.com under the “My eral level.” app that would allow professors to create ing to make the iPad a standard for educa- Voter Information Page,” said Pam Car- Mercedes Young, a 20-year-old tele- their own textbooks. SEE IBOOKS, PAGE 8 penter, county supervisor of elections. The communication management senior, said website also has a list of candidates. voting in city elections is even more im- Voters should bring a valid photo I.D. portant than voting for the president. Today 77/50 Cause of Paynes Prairie fi re still undetermined Interim Director of UF School of Theatre FORECAST 2 CROSSWORD 13 Smoke continues to fl oat from the fi re, pg 3. and Dance dies after period of illness OPINIONS 6 SPORTS 14 Florida cruise sales not hurting after shipwreck in Italy Paul F. Favini died Sunday, pg. 4. CLASSIFIEDS 10 A local travel agency has actually seen an uptick, pg 9. 2, ALLIGATOR § TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012 News Today VOLUME 106 ISSUE 90 ISSN 0889-2423 WHAt’s HAPPENING? Not officially associated with the University of Florida FORECAST Published by Campus Communications Inc., of Gainesville, Florida Gator Nonprofit Professionals TODAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY NEWSROOM meeting 352-376-4458 (Voice), 352-376-4467 (Fax) Today, 5 p.m. Editor Joey Flechas, [email protected] Matherly, Room 114 PARTLY RAIN RAIN CLOUDY CLOUDY Managing Editor / Print Emily Morrow, [email protected] Gator Non-Profit Professionals CLOUDY 79/57 78/55 76/51 78/51 Managing Editor / Online Marissa Prieto, [email protected] will be hosting its first general 77/50 University Editor Clare Lennon, [email protected] body meeting of the semes- Metro Editor Meredith Rutland, ter. Come find out about lo- positive atmosphere to learn Lincoln: The Constitution and [email protected] cal opportunities within the and practice public speak- the Civil War traveling exhi- Breaking News Editor Jon Silman, [email protected] nonprofit sector, information ing and leadership skills, in bition Opinions Editor Justin Hayes, [email protected] about the different compo- a group setting. For details, Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. Freelance Editor Erin Jester, [email protected] nents that make up an NPO go to talkinggators.freeto- Library West, third floor Sports Editor Matt Watts, [email protected] and classes you can take to get asthost.biz. The club is also The exhibit opening will be Assistant Sports Editor John Boothe, [email protected] a nonprofit minor. on Facebook. followed by faculty presen- alligatorSports.org Editor Joe Morgan, [email protected] tations by Patricia Hilliard- Editorial Board Joey Flechas, Emily Morrow, UF & Roots of Hope’s Cuba Free salsa classes with the Nunn and Sharon Austin at Justin Hayes, Josh Isom Conference Gator Salsa Club 3 p.m. in Smathers Library, Photo Editors Dana Burke, [email protected], Today, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Today, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Room 1A. A Q-and-A session Brett Le Blanc, [email protected] the Avenue Editor Sami Main, [email protected] Smathers Library, Room 1A Reitz Union Colonnade and a reception will follow. Copy Desk Chiefs Tom Green, Phil Kegler, Greg Luca, The Cuba Conference will fea- Come and join the Gator Corey McCall, Rachel Rowan ture interaction with Cuban Salsa Club to learn some Got something going on? Copy Editors Calli Breil, Karly Kehres, artists, a live telephone con- salsa moves for free. The les- Want to see it in this space? Sarah Kinonen, Wade Millward, versation with young Cubans sons will be held on the Reitz Send an email with “What’s Elesa Paschke, Raven Pritchett, on the island, and presenta- Colonnade every Tuesday Happening” in the subject line tions and panel discussions David Williams, Nika Zecevic, and Thursday from 6-8 p.m. to [email protected]. To Chloe Finch with academics and other The club specializes in teach- ensure publication in the next community leaders. Food ing On2 from 6-7 p.m., fol- day’s newspaper, please submit DISPLAY ADVERTISING will be served. Please register lowed by Casino style from the event before 5 p.m. Please 352-376-4482, 800-257-4341, 352-376-4556 (Fax) through the link www.tinyurl. 7-8 p.m.