Fatal 15-Passenger Van Accident in Portland Area
Two people were killed and 14 people sustained injuries in a Portland car accident after their 15-passenger van slid on black ice early morning November 12, 2009 on the Interstate 84 near Baker City, The Oregonian reports. The deceased were identified as Joshua John Pischura, 20, of Geneva, Ohio and Taune Nicole Winter Pepper, 23, of Deer Trail, Colorado. The 2002 Ford van was carrying members of a Colorado Church's Bible study group that was headed to Portland for a conference. The van was apparently marked with the logo of the New Life Worship Center at Federal Heights, Colorado, and was carrying teenagers and young adults who were enrolled at the church's Bible school.
Injuries and Deaths Reported
Thirteen of the van's 16 occupants were reportedly ejected in the crash. The driver, 25-year-old Nicole Elaine Byrd, was buckled up and did not suffer life-threatening injuries. It's not clear based on the report whether the others were wearing seatbelts. Oregon State Police identified the injured as: Aaron Stearling Werntz, 19, of Freeport, Ill.; Christine Sandra Aki, 18, of Golden, Colo.; Phillip Joel Harris, 24, of Attalla, Ala.; Katherine Elizabeth Darlene Pischura, 18, of Geneva, Ohio; William Chris Rodgers, 22, of Lakewood, Colo.; Lavan Ahmad Sayed, 24, of Louisville, Colo.; Sarah Beth Devires, 18, of Golden, Colo.; Brett James Iserman, 20, of Dakota, Ill.; Katherine Elizabeth Coppock, 19, of Cave Creek, Ariz.; Christian Wence, 19, of Ault, Colo.; Javaar Zakori Howard, 18, of Denver; Ashley Wenk, 18; and Marketa Larie Smith, 26. This list was obtained from The Oregonian's news article.
My heart goes out to the families of the deceased victims as well as all who were injured in this tragic 15-passenger vehicle accident. I offer my condolences to the families of Pepper and Pischura. Please keep the injured victims and their families in your prayers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released several alerts warning consumers about the defective product issues involving these 15-passenger vans. According to the federal agency, in 2007, there were 45 deaths in 15-passenger rollover crashes, which was 73 percent more deaths than in 2006. Between 2003 and 2007, 365 passengers and 108 drivers have been killed in accidents involving these 15-passenger vans. The NHTSA study also finds that 80 percent of the fatally injured van occupants in rollover crashes were not wearing seatbelts.
Auto Product Liability Issues
As a personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled auto products liability cases involving 15 –passenger vans, I'd like to see these "death traps" taken off the road. The van has inherent safety problems and poor stability even at moderate speeds. Add to that, unfavorable or hostile weather conditions as we saw in this Oregon crash, you're looking at a horrible tragedy. The manufacturer's choice of defectively made tires and compromises in roof support design tend to make these vans deadly in rollover crashes. Also, the number of casualties could be dramatic if the tire pressure is not adjusted according to the number of passengers or if the passengers are not properly restrained.
It greatly concerns me that a number of daycares, senior centers, colleges and churches still use these 15-passenger vans to transport small groups of people. Some are not aware of these dangerous and defective vehicles, but others knowingly take the risk. In my opinion, the auto makers should do the right thing and take these 15-passenger vans off the market.
The victims of this tragic accident would be well-advised to consult with a nationally renowned personal injury attorney, who has a successful track record representing injured victims and their families in 15-passenger van accident cases. I believe that the manufacturers of these defective vehicles should be held responsible for the dangerous products they sell to consumers.
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
