Hot Pockets Save Ohio Man (and Other Tall Tales the Media Tell)

January 3, 2016 | Crandall & Pera Law
Hot Pockets Save Ohio Man (and Other Tall Tales the Media Tell)

Hot Pockets are the irresistibly hot and “delicious” choice of children everywhere and college kids on a budget. Nestlé offers over 20 varieties of the microwave turnovers, ranging from breakfast to dessert. The frozen products have fed children and adults alike for over 30 years. But recently, the brand added a new skill set to its résumé.

Jason Bartley was running errands on November 10. On his way home, he took extra time to stop and grab some Hot Pockets. The detour, it appears, may have saved his life.

Saved by a craving for a snack?


Jason lives at an apartment complex in Akron; his building turned into a raging inferno that Tuesday when a plane lost control and crashed into the building. According to CBS News, “The 10-seat Hawker H25 business jet clipped utility wires and crashed into the four-unit apartment building, sparking a fire that destroyed the building, Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Bill Haymaker said. Nobody was home at any of the apartments, and there were no other injuries.”

The plane was scheduled to land at a small airport just two miles from the apartment building. Because Jason decided to stop for the Hot Pockets, he was not at home when the plane crashed into his building.

Roberta Porter, who lives a block away from the apartment, also suffered a near miss. She was driving home when she saw the plane drop suddenly and crash into the building. She admitted to CBS News that if she had been driving faster, the plane could have clipped her car.

The real truth about accidents


This story, though terrifying, is an example of how news media contribute to perceptions of artificial risks. Plane crashes dominate headlines because of the nature and scale of the destruction they cause. However, both Jason Bartley and Roberta Porter were far more likely to have been in a car accident that day than to have been struck by the business jet. Consider this data from a report by USA Today:

“The National Transportation Safety Board compiles aviation accident data. Preliminary statistics for 2008 show only 20 accidents for U.S. air carriers operating scheduled service. This works out to nearly zero accidents per million flying miles. No one died, and only five people were seriously injured.”

While we have seen more news reports in recent years about plane crashes, they really are far rarer than the media would let you believe. Car accidents, on the other hand, happen every day, and the consequences can be devastating.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, Crandall & Pera Law can fight for your rights. Our experienced Kentucky and Ohio personal injury lawyers can help get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.