Injury Outcomes of the 2017 Charlottesville TARMAC Attack

Abstract

Introduction:

Targeted Automobile Ramming Mass Casualty attacks (TARMAC) have occurred worldwide since 2010. The dramatic increase in incidence warrants special attention to the unique pattern of injury associated with such attacks as they are unlike any other type of intentional trauma. This study characterizes the resulting injuries from the 2017 Charlottesville, Virginia TARMAC attack.

Method:

Patient records of victims were identified and analyzed for injuries, demographics, and surgical needs. The data were evaluated for patterns.

Results:

Nineteen TARMAC victims were treated in the UVAHS Emergency Department. Most were female (68%). Average age was 29.4 years (range 13 – 72 years). Data showed seven ICU admissions, four standard admissions, and seven discharges. There was one fatality and the specific injury data was unavailable. Most injuries were orthopedic: lower extremity fractures (n=7) [2 open], upper extremity fractures (n=7), axial skeleton fractures (n=6), and a facial fracture (n=1). Arterial injuries required interventional radiology (n=1) or observation (n=2). Organ injuries included a Grade 1 spleen laceration (n=1) and pneumomediastinum (n=1). six victims required one or more operative interventions during admission: emergent procedures (n=6) and delayed procedures (n=4). In the Emergency Department, two bony reductions were performed, five lacerations were repaired, and one thoracotomy was performed. Injury Severity Scores were calculated (mean=11.5; median 6; range 1-75).

Conclusion:

Due to the mechanism of injury, TARMAC attacks inflict a unique wounding pattern. Intentional mass blunt trauma is previously unknown to emergency medicine. Vehicle variables including weight, speed, and bumper height affect the injury location and severity. This vehicle, a low-height sports car, inflicted primarily lower extremity injuries. Mortality rates have been higher in attacks involving taller, heavier vehicles, as seen in France, Germany, and Sweden. Analysis of victim data from TARMAC attacks will help emergency medicine physicians, surgeons, and disaster medicine specialists to prepare, train, and mitigate against this increasingly frequent tactic.