Update: We erroneously reported that Samantha R. Bowling was driving the vehicle. The driver was actually 21 year old Jordyn B. Weichert. We've updated the story below and apologize for the error.
Company of Heroes Online Lead Designer Brian R. Wood was killed on Friday night in a tragic automobile accident near Seattle, according to a report on Kotaku. According to Washington State Troopers, a 1994 Chevy Blazer crossed the center line of Highway 20 (Whidbey Island) and hit an oncoming Subaru Outback, driven by Wood, at about 8:50 p.m. The accident happened about five miles north of Oak Harbor. Wood died at the scene, while his wife Erin, who is six months pregnant, sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized. Her condition is said to be improving.
The driver of the Blazer, Jordyn B. Weichert, was the cause of the accident, according to police; the driver tried to remove a sweater while the passenger (Samantha R. Bowling) steered the vehicle, but the passenger lost control of the vehicle and crossed lanes hitting Wood. Police say that the driver may have been under the influence of drugs.
State Troopers said that the driver will be charged with vehicular homicide and vehicular assault and will be booked into the Island County jail upon release from the hospital.
Two young men riding in the back seat of the Blazer - Jacob D. Quistorf, 25, and Francis C. Malloy, 26, both of Oak Harbor - also died at the scene.
Wood was an important part of the Company of Heroes Online development team, a long-time Relic Entertainment employee and decent human being. He will be missed by fans, friends, family and colleagues. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Woods - as well as the friends and families of the other victims of this horrible tragedy.
Source: Seattle PI by way of Kotaku - image credit: Kotaku
Comments
Re: Company of Heroes Online Lead Designer Brian R. Wood ...
We should be more like America.
BTW This is horrible, not because he was a game developer, but because he was a young father and a husband killed by someone who decided to take off a sweater while driving. There should be a stronger charge of behavior like this. Best wishes to all of Woods' family.
:(
Re: Company of Heroes Online Lead Designer Brian R. Wood ...
At least Mr. Woods was driving a car, so he's likely to get some justice. If he had been riding a bicycle his killer would most likely get off with a ticket and a warning.
Re: Company of Heroes Online Lead Designer Brian R. Wood ...
Re: Company of Heroes Online Lead Designer Brian R. Wood ...
vehicular homicide
That is a pretty strong charge.
Also.. this occured in the United States.
Re: Company of Heroes Online Lead Designer Brian R. Wood ...
This is why I hate that so many people are allowed to operate what is essentially a really dangerous weapon. Before people are given the privilege of getting behind the wheel of a 4,000lb car, they should have to pass a lot more than the current driving test. They should have to prove that they're responsible too. And if they're convicted of a crime, they should lose their driving privileges. Why do some states remove voting privileges of criminals, yet still let them carry on driving?
I mean we have a situation now where gridlock is a real problem, yet no one thinks of making it harder to get/keep driving licenses.
Sure, some folks in rural areas rely on their car, and rules need to be relaxed in certain cases, but in a city no one really 'needs' to drive.
If the DMV was just a little stricter, roads would be emptier and safer, public transport would get better and the environment would be cleaner.
Re: Company of Heroes Online Lead Designer Brian R. Wood ...
Voting is a right not a privilege. Only convicted felons can have their right to vote abridged.
I live in the metor area of a major city. There is no mass transit within a three miles of my home. My job is across town. There are many people like me and most of use would love to not have to pay for gas and mileage each way to work.
You need to build the mass transit first, then get rid of my car and despite my perfect driving record.
Re: Company of Heroes Online Lead Designer Brian R. Wood ...
The very fact that the 'right' to vote can be taken away in certain circumstances means that it is a privilege, not a right. I wish that weren't so, but some states have chosen to make it so.
As for your distance from mass transit, three miles takes about 15 minutes on a bicycle. The problem is, most people would rather pay a substantial cost in terms of gas and car upkeep, rather than spend even an extra two minutes travelling in a cheaper and healthier way. My wife and I live just two minutes cycling distance from a subway that will take her to work, but does she take it? Hell no! And that's with me urging her to do so every week.
The Western world is a culture addicted to gasoline. It's like crack. It's killing our fellow people in large numbers and it's turning our bodies into disgusting waste heaps as it's doing the same to our environment. But short of a huge oil shock (and they are coming), there's nothing that's going to get us off the drug.
When those oil shocks come, you'll be glad that your home is only 15 minutes cycling distance from public transport. Other folks won't be so lucky.
Re: Company of Heroes Online Lead Designer Brian R. Wood ...
The US allows to many idiots to to drive....... we should be more like Germany...
I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/
Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Let's renegotiate them.
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http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/
Re: Company of Heroes Online Lead Designer Brian R. Wood ...
This is why I hate cars....e need a nation wide mono rail system......
I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/
Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Let's renegotiate them.
---
http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/