[JohnZ]

A vent follows. I manage the departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine for the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health Care System. I divide my time between the two major medicial centers at Lake City and Gainesville. On my way to the clinical laboratory at Lake City last Friday, I drove by two horrific crashes on I-75. Both accidents involved several semi-tractor-trailers as some of you may have heard. Just as I walked into the medical center, I was informed that one of my hematology laboratory supervisors was a victim of one of those accidents. She was life-flighted to Shands in critical condition. I had just met with her on Thursday to discuss improving a quality of care issue. She is a delightful young woman, a talented clinical scientist professional dedicated to patient care and she considers her mission as extra special by serving the military veterans of our nation. She is the mother of two children, ages six and ten. At this time, I still do not know the full extent of her injuries. But here's what I do know: she was an occupant of the VA shuttle for employees of the Lake City division enroute to Gainesville. The van was stopped in traffic which was backed up due to the accident near Gainesville. A tractor-trailer was stopped behind the van. Another tractor-trailer was unable to stop in time and hit the stopped tractor-trailer at nearly top speed which pushed the 80,000 pound stopped tractor-trailer into the van.

On my way home from work on Friday afternoon while this incident was heavily on my mind, I couldn't but notice how closely these very big trucks follow behind us. What are the drivers thinking? If they are truly professional, they'd know that they would have little room to stop in an emergency. Based on my own experience, this "following close" practice by big rigs is a rather common occurance. Enough is enough. Damn.....just damn! This must stop! Something must be done! I'm ticked-off with the truckers and sad and worried about Merlinda.