Los Angeles Rollover Crash

Alexander Mendez, 41, was killed in a Los Angeles County rollover accident on the Santa Monica (10) Freeway, the Los Angeles Daily News reported. The accident occurred in the Arlington Heights area the afternoon of March 16, 2009 on the eastbound freeway near Arlington Avenue, California Highway Patrol officials said. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Alexander Mendez for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everybody who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.

Rollover accidents are one of the leading causes of fatalities in auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are about 40,000 auto accidents that occur each year in the United States. Out of these, 25 percent or 10,000 traffic accidents involve rollovers. These types of motor vehicle accidents can be devastating for the vehicle’s occupants because of their intensity. Rollover accidents have the potential to cause deaths and catastrophic injuries such as brain and spinal cord injuries.

Over the last three decades, Bisnar|Chase has represented numerous victims who have been severely injured in rollover accidents or family members who have lost loved ones in rollover crashes. In many of these cases the accidents were caused by product defects. These tragic accidents involved unstable vehicles, seatbelt failures, airbag defects or poor roof strength.
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Rollover Crash Injures Two In Los Angeles

Two people – 22-year-old Tze Shyu of Irvine and his passenger, 24-year-old Karen Fung of El Monte – suffered injuries in a March 14, 2009 Los Angeles County rollover crash. According to a news report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Shyu and Fung were traveling in a Porsche Boxter east on Valley Boulevard near Brea Canyon Road near Walnut when Shyu lost control of the vehicle. The Porsche flipped over several times. California Highway Patrol officials say both injured victims are “lucky to be alive.” Both were wearing seatbelts and that may have saved their lives, CHP officials said.

Based on a preliminary investigation, officials say excessive speed caused the rollover accident. Shyu apparently braked hard for a red light and lost control of the convertible. The car rolled over several times, striking trees and knocking down a sign. In spite of the intensity of this rollover accident, both the driver’s and the passenger’s side airbags did not deploy. The officer who arrived at the scene told the newspaper that he thought he would find two deceased people in the car. Before rescue crews arrived, passers by helped free the injured driver, Shyu, from the overturned car. Shyu suffered major injuries while Fung is said to have sustained minor injuries.

It is most certainly a miracle that both Tze Shyu and Karen Fung survived this horrific rollover crash. As CHP officials said, Shyu and Fung are lucky to be alive today. I wish them both the very best for a quick and complete recovery
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Burn or Explosion Hazard for Propane Barrels

Valero Marketing & Supply Company is recalling about 920,000 barrels of propane gas because it can pose a serious fire and burn hazard. According to this safety alert issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the barrels apparently lack the recommended level of odorant. An odorant is usually added to propane to help alert consumers to a propane gas leak. But because the recalled barrels of propane gas may not have the recommended levels of the odorant, it may result in a failure to detect leaking gas. This could lead to a fire or explosion causing severe or fatal burn injuries. However, no product defect injuries have yet been reported as a result of this serious recall.

The defective propane barrels were sold through several retail propane dealers across the United States from January 2008 through October 2008. Consumers who purchased propane during this time are asked to immediately contact their propane gas suppliers or retail locations where home propane tanks or portable cylinders were filled. Consumers should have their supplies tested and receive additional odorant as needed. For more information, please call 1-866-940-8235.
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Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Recalled for Strangulation Hazard

Seattle Cotton Works is recalling about 40,000 hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings because of a product defect which poses a strangulation hazard, according to a consumer safety alert issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Seattle-based company is voluntarily recalling these defective clothing items that have a drawstring through the hood that can pose a strangulation hazard to children. So far no injuries or deaths have been reported in connection with this recalled product.

The defective sweatshirts manufactured in Pakistan are hooded and long-sleeved with full-length zippers and drawstrings along the neck line. The products were sold under the Seattle Cotton Works brand in six different designs. The name “Seattle Cotton Works” appears along the inside neck line. These recalled sweatshirts were sold exclusively at Kohl’s Department Stores nationwide from January 2009 through February 2009 for about $17. Consumers who own or use these products are asked to immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard or call the manufacturer to return the product for a full refund. If you would like more information, please call Seattle Cotton Works at 1-800-533-8922.
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A man suffered major injuries in a motorcycle accident in San Diego County, the North County Times reports. The motorcyclist, who has not been identified, apparently crashed down a 40-foot embankment off Interstate 15 the morning of March 8, 2009. The injury auto accident took place south of Rainbow Valley Boulevard, California Highway Patrol officials said.

The injured victim who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash was taken to an area hospital. There is no other information about how or why this motorcycle accident occurred.

I’m relieved that this motorcyclist did not suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries in this accident. I wish him the very best for his quick and complete recovery.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,810 motorcyclists were killed in the year 2006 across the United States, which is a 5 percent increase over 2005. Los Angeles County is experiencing an all-time high in terms of Los Angeles motorcycle accidents, according to recent statistics released by the California Highway Patrol.
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Maytag is recalling 1.6 million defective Maytag refrigerators that officials say pose a serious fire hazard because of electrical failure that can cause overheating. According to this MSNBC News report, the Newton, Iowa-based company is recalling the defective products because of an electrical failure in the relay. Maytag officials say the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor can overheat and cause serious fires. So far, Maytag has received 41 reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 16 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive damage.

This recall includes some of Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley brand of side-by-side and top-freezer refrigerators. The fridges included in this recall were apparently manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. For more information about the list of model numbers and brands included in this recall, please visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissions Web site. The refrigerators were manufactured in the United States and were sold in department and appliance stores as well as by homebuilders nationwide from January 2001 through January 2004 for between $350 and $1,600.
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U.S. Marines caused multiple errors in a December 8, 2008 crash of F/A-18D Hornet into a residential neighborhood in University City that killed 36-year-old Young Mi Moon; her daughters, 15-month-old Grace and 2-month-old Rachel; and her mother Suk Im Kim, 60. According to this Associated Press news report the Marines apparently knew five months before this military jet crash that the aircraft may have problems with the fuel delivery from tanks to its engine. This ignored warning and subsequent bad decisions caused the terrible tragedy.

According to an internal investigation, low oil pressure killed the first engine shortly after takeoff. The jet crashed with about 340 gallons of fuel causing a fiery explosion that burned two homes and came frighteningly close to a high school. Although the Marines received this warning about the defective aircraft months before the catastrophic crash, maintenance personnel became complacent after a series of flights that were successful even after the warning, the investigation found.

Military investigators have placed the blame on officers at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar for clearing the pilot, Lt. Dan Neubauer, to land at the inland base instead of the closest landing at a coastal Navy base, a route that would have avoided flying over homes. The pilot, Neubauer, has also been criticized for neglecting to consult a checklist of emergency procedures and “failing to grasp the severity of his problems.” This investigation ended with disciplinary action against 13 members of the U.S. Marines and Navy for a series of missteps that led to the crash, including four officers who were relieved of their duties. Investigators, however, found no proof of criminal wrongdoing.
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A 3-year-old boy was killed in his Palmdale home after a defective garage door fell and struck him in the head, KTLA News reports. The fatal Los Angeles County accident occurred in the 38500 block of 22nd Street East near Palmdale Boulevard around 6 p.m. March 10, 2009. L.A. County Sheriff’s Department officials said the toddler’s mother opened the motorized sectional garage door as she prepared to leave the house with her two boys.

When she tried to close the garage door, the malfunctioning door came down hitting the boy in the head. The child, who has not yet been identified, was pronounced dead an hour after the accident at an area hospital.
The garage door apparently failed again and came slamming down, as authorities tested it out later for product defects.

My heart goes out to this child who was so tragically taken away from his family. I offer my deepest sympathies to the boy’s parents and other family members. This must be heartbreaking for the child’s mother and brother who witnessed the incident. Please keep this family in your prayers.
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Recaro is recalling about 5,400 of its Signo child car seats for a defective restraint system that could fail in the event of a crash and cause catastrophic injuries. According to this news report in Consumeraffairs.com, a defective spring in the car seat could allow the central front adjuster strap to slip, keeping the harness from being securely tightened. In the event of an auto accident, a child may not be properly secured and could be injured or killed as a result.

Recaro will start notifying consumers immediately and replace the defective restraint system free of charge. If you have more questions, please call Recaro at 1-888-473-2290. Consumers may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236.

So far there have been no reports of injuries or deaths as a result of these defective child car seats. But it is very important that this manufacturer get the word out so consumers do not continue to use this product. Recalling this defective product was an important first step to take and I’m glad that Recaro has already done that.
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Three men – Allan Jacobson, 48, of Costa Mesa, David Menne, 50, of Oregon and Scott Jones, 49, of Lake Forest – suffered severe injuries after their Cessna 172 crashed the evening of March 7, 2009 at Camp Pendleton. Jacobson, who was the pilot, is said to be in serious condition. Menne is in critical condition while Jones is said to be in good condition and recovering from his injuries, according to this news report in The Orange County Register. Witnesses told officials that the plane suffered most of its damage on the right side when it crashed close to a helicopter pad near Las Pulgas Road at the U.S. Marine Corps base. Menne, who was the front seat passenger, seems to have suffered the greatest injury.

Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating this Camp Pendleton aviation accident. A preliminary report is expected in about a week. The plane, which was registered to the pilot Jacobson, was on its way from John Wayne Airport in Orange County to Montgomery Field in San Diego when it crashed. Witnesses told investigators that the aircraft seemed to have had engine trouble before it crashed and broke apart at the tail when it came down.
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