No, I specifically remember several years ago reading an article emphasizing that Ford was putting an extra bumper lower down to prevent driving over top of little cars.

Here's an FTE news link about the Excursion from 1999 that mentions it.
June 21, 1999 - All-new Ford Excursion prices begin at $34,135 .: News

First "bullet" in the product innovations section, after the third paragraph. Its called the "blockerbeam" I had always assumed that beam in my pic was the same thing

 

I did not know that.

 

Here's some more info on this...

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/MVE8.PDF

According to this document, the SD trucks got these starting in model year 2001. So, either his was a 1999-2000 model (likely, with the amber turn signals) or the beam didn't do its job.

 

WOW! How sad! I feel awful for the families. Condolences to them.

I showed that article to my 16 year old whom recently got her driver's license. She is a good driver and responsible but it was a good reminder for her to stay that way and no matter how safe you are there still are other drivers on the road that might not be. It was also a good lesson in basic physics and why we worry so much as parents.

 

Shiet, the truck looks rebuildable.

 

Don't forget to tell her the dangers of hopping into a car with a driver who is not prepared to drive or who has poor driving habits or history. As a former volunteer firefighter I have pulled victims out of the passenger seat too.

 

Easily, from the looks of it.

 

Thanks for this thread. I just showed it to my daughter as a reminder to her.

My 99 did not have one, but my 02 and my wife's 01 does have them. I'd guess this in a 99 or 00 model.

 

Oh yeah. My wife was saying that very thing to her when we all were looking at the article.

 

It is a pre-2003 model for sure... got the solid orange marker lights.

 

Good parenting.

 

What's a "computer car"? Are you playing GTA?

Condolences to the families and the survivor, my brother was in a similar crash.....he was in his f250 when a DD came over the hill in his lane, she had 3 kids in the Honda civic she was driving and none of them in a carseat or seatbelt...one of them was sitting in the spare tire that was in the hatchback! Unfortunately all the children died and she lived. My brother ended up rolling the truck to avoid her, it's been really hard on him since he has 3 children of his own and having to have seen/ gone through that.

 

Condolences to all involved and prays to the famileys that lost loved ones.

But this happens way to much. Get passed on doubble yellow line all the time by Y,A,Ds. Can remember comming home from the beach with the camper one day in a line of cars on a two lane and out of no were a car passed me on a doubble yellow with a hard left curve ahead.Five cars in front and four inback, this car passed Four cars to get in front of me. Then the passenger stuck his arm and head out the window for me to slow down and let him in. They got in just in time.

Richard

The Truck

 

My heartfelt condolences for the famlies involed. It is such a tradgedy to hear about needless deaths. Especialy when it involves young people ;( Btw I can confirm my 99 SD does not have the lower bumper (It does have a push plate mounted lower than the bumper for the plow setup) I hope to God that never happens to anyone else!

 

I pray it doesn't either, but know that it will again somewhere... probably before the night is through. We cannot prevent it from happening, but can help prevent it from happening to the ones we love.