# James Mosqueda, freeway destroyer **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 29, 2007, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101 "2007-04-29T23:52:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/21 "2007-04-30T04:13:07Z")
[QUOTE=Quiddity Glomfuster] You, of course, always drive exactly the speed limit even on an empty highway at 6 AM. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] A professional driver hauling a heavy and dangerous load sure should do that. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/22 "2007-04-30T04:17:09Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] You can add me to the list of comments on this. I may speed in my Toyota Corolla but I had the cargo van today for work and you bet your ass I was going exactly the speed limit, if not slower, and braking early. This is an idiotic comment to make. [/QUOTE] Well, consider the source: the self-appointed arbiter of righteous behavior in the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/23 "2007-04-30T04:17:17Z")
This exact thing has happened in Birmingham, Alabama, at the junctions of Interstates 65 and 20/59 twice in the past ten years, as truckers tried to take the interchange, and wrecked, melting I-20/59 above. On both occasions, I believe, most people involved were killed by exploding gasoline/shrapnel/collapsing highway structure. Truckers simply take that interchange far too fast. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/24 "2007-04-30T05:04:08Z")
[QUOTE=Quiddity Glomfuster] You, of course, always drive exactly the speed limit even on an empty highway at 6 AM. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] Ever driven a dynamite truck? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/25 "2007-04-30T05:42:08Z")
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF] 2) This should put a dent in the _Loose Change_ crowd’s argument that structural steel can’t melt due to a gas fire. [/QUOTE] Shoot. When did facts ever stop that crowd? Highways have had their steel buckle from fires underneath them before this incident and that never stopped them. /derail ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/26 "2007-04-30T15:32:06Z")
Same thing happened in DC a few years ago. Just before rush hour. A great day to stay home from work it was. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/27 "2007-04-30T15:49:48Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] Ever driven a dynamite truck? [/QUOTE] Yup. Well, sorta. It was a Ford Bronco II with Jimmy Walker in the back. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/28 "2007-04-30T16:00:33Z")
It happened a few years ago here in Baton Rouge… well, in Port Allen, the town on the west bank of the Mississippi across from Baton Rouge. Tanker truck caught fire and burned through the on-ramp onto the bridge. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/29 "2007-04-30T16:09:55Z")
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF] 2) This should put a dent in the _Loose Change_ crowd’s argument that structural steel can’t melt due to a gas fire. [/QUOTE] Dammit - I came in here just to joke about that only to find I’ve been beaten repeatedly already. I gotta check the Pit more often. :smack: Speaking of which, for anyone who questions the value of the Pit, let me just say this. In two recent threads I found myself with wildly differing opinions from two other posters about entertainment topics. Before I had a chance to reflect on these differences with quiet introspection, I came to the Pit and found out they’re both raving morons (Quiddity Glomfuster and VCO3). Now I’m feeling much better! 😃 Thank you, Pit! ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/30 "2007-04-30T16:15:01Z")
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF] 1. Remind me to avoid I-880 if I ever go to California. That highway doesn’t seem to hold up well under stress. [/QUOTE] This was on 80 East to 580 East. 880 heads south about a mile prior to this. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/31 "2007-04-30T16:15:05Z")
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF] 2) This should put a dent in the _Loose Change_ crowd’s argument that structural steel can’t melt due to a gas fire. [/QUOTE] [Not really.](http://stopthelie.com/freeway_collapse.html) ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/32 "2007-04-30T16:23:29Z")
[QUOTE=Troy McClure SF] This was on 80 East to 580 East. 880 heads south about a mile prior to this. [/QUOTE] My understanding is that the connector to I-880 was damaged/blocked/destroyed because of this fire. Ah, well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll simply duck all the freeways out there. > [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > [Not really.](http://stopthelie.com/freeway_collapse.html) That didn’t take long. These people must be from another planet or something. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/33 "2007-04-30T16:33:46Z")
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF] My understanding is that the connector to I-880 was damaged/blocked/destroyed because of this fire. Ah, well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll simply duck all the freeways out there. [/QUOTE] The truck was on the 80/880 connector when it overturned. It was the heat of the flames of the explosion traveling upwards that compromised the 580 section, causing it to collapse onto the connector. The connector is most definitely destroyed. So if you want to get onto the 880 from the 80/580 southbound\*, you’re screwed, and if you want to get on the 580/880 southbound\* from San Francisco, you’re also screwed. \*technically eastbound, but same diff. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/34 "2007-04-30T16:34:32Z")
[QUOTE=kidchameleon] Yup. Well, sorta. It was a Ford Bronco II with Jimmy Walker in the back. [/QUOTE] Din-o-mite! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/35 "2007-04-30T16:58:00Z")
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF] 2) This should put a dent in the _Loose Change_ crowd’s argument that structural steel can’t melt due to a gas fire. [/QUOTE] Obviously, **Airman** , it’s a plot by George Bush and Karl Rove to even further deplete our reserves of oil, forcing us to drill in ANWR, so their oil buddies can get rich rich rich. They probably planted the explosives themselves to blow the overpass. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/36 "2007-04-30T17:16:23Z")
This just happened Friday in Houston, so add [Luis Perez](http://www.click2houston.com/news/13209749/detail.html?rss=hou&psp=news)’s name to the list. Something like 4600 gallons of diesel and 3600 of gasoline. Pretty amazing video included. Major interchange to be closed for two freakin’ months. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f07891/32.png) [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/37 "2007-04-30T17:18:18Z")
[QUOTE=ivylass] Obviously, **Airman** , it’s a plot by George Bush and Karl Rove to even further deplete our reserves of oil, forcing us to drill in ANWR, so their oil buddies can get rich rich rich. They probably planted the explosives themselves to blow the overpass. [/QUOTE] The mental image of George Bush and Karl Rove skulking about under a bridge trying to wire it for explosives is continuing to make me giggle. It’s Snidely Whiplash meets The Three Stooges. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/38 "2007-04-30T17:29:35Z")
Wow. The destructive and disruptive capabilities of one high-powered idiot are amazing. (I don’t have a lot of sympathy for the driver, either - it was a totally avoidable incident, it looks like.) The third picture down in the site linked by **Lute** is amazing - the melted freeway is draped over the other freeway. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/39 "2007-04-30T17:40:08Z")
[QUOTE=Lute Skywatcher] [Not really.](http://stopthelie.com/freeway_collapse.html) [/QUOTE] I actually felt the Stupid invade my brain as I started to read that. Aiii!!! I’ve been infected with teh Stuped!! Get it off git it awwfffff!!! ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101/40 "2007-04-30T17:40:32Z")
[QUOTE=Little Plastic Ninja] The mental image of George Bush and Karl Rove skulking about under a bridge trying to wire it for explosives is continuing to make me giggle. It’s Snidely Whiplash meets The Three Stooges. [/QUOTE] They don’t let George personally handle the explosives any more. Not since “the incident”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-mosqueda-freeway-destroyer/402101.md?page=3)