Toyota is issuing yet another vehicle defect recall this time for 1 million of its Corolla and Matrix compact sedans and hatchbacks because of engine-stalling problems. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the recall involves vehicles from the 2005 to 2008 model years. Toyota has received more than 1,000 complaints of stalling in these vehicles. The engine stalling, officials say, was caused by a manufacturing defect in an Engine Control Module.
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Five people were seriously injured, two critically, in a San Francisco car accident after an unlicensed driver plowed into a group of people waiting near a bus stop, the morning of August 24, 2010. According to an Associated Press news report, the 24-year-old female driver lost control of her Ford Explorer while heading southbound on San Bruno Avenue. She went over a sidewalk and crashed into the crowd that was standing in the shade of an apartment building while waiting for the bus. The names of the victims have not been released, but they range in age from the 30s to 80s. An investigation is underway to determine what caused the crash.

My thoughts and prayers are with the many people seriously injured in this terrible car accident. I wish them all a complete and speedy recovery from their injuries.
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A woman was killed in a San Diego car accident after her Dodge Durango struck a power pole and overturned on the front yard of a home. According to a 10news report, the fatal rollover crash occurred early morning on August 25, 2010 on Magnolia Avenue, near Holy Meadows Drive, in Santee. The woman was the sole occupant of her sport utility vehicle and died at the scene. No one else was injured. Officials are still investigating the cause of the crash. They are looking into whether speed or alcohol could have played a part in this fatal crash.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this car accident victim. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who knew and loved her.
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Elliot Mora, 39, was killed in a Bakersfield car accident after he was ejected from his pickup truck as it overturned on Highway 46. According to an ABC News report, the fatal rollover accident occurred the night of August 18, 2010 close to Highway 33. Mora suddenly lost control of his pickup and when he tried to correct the steering, the vehicle overturned. California Highway Patrol officials say Mora may not have been buckled up at the time. He was transported to an area hospital with major injuries. Mora was pronounced dead hours after the crash. Officials do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors in this fatal crash.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Mora for their devastating loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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Eight people were injured, one critically, in a car accident that involved four vehicles. According to a KSBY news report, the major injury collision occurred on the eastbound Highway 46 the morning of August 16, 2010. California Highway Patrol officials say Rosa Solorio de Espinosa lost control of her vehicle, entered opposing lanes of traffic and broadsided a semi-truck. Her car continued forward and crashed into a vehicle with five passengers. That vehicle was in turn rear-ended by a sedan, which caught fire. Espinosa sustained major head injuries while seven others suffered what were described as moderate injuries.
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Eggs sold under Ralphs, Albertsons and other brands have been recalled because of food poisoning concerns. According to a CBS news report, Wright County Egg of Iowa issued the recall for the eggs due to potential salmonella contamination. The eggs involved in this recall are packed in a variety of carton sizes.

In addition to Ralphs and Albertsons, the brands of recalled eggs include Lucerne, Mountain Dairy, Sunshine, Hillandale, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch, Farms and Kemps. The eggs were sold in eight states including California. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials say there have been a few illnesses related to this outbreak, but they don’t have numbers yet. Consumers who have these recalled products at home can return them to the store for a full refund.
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A fatal car accident in Bishop last week, which killed California Baptist University coach Wendy Rice and two others and injured at least 16 people, is drawing attention to the use of dangerous 15-passenger vans by college athletic departments nationwide. It is a fact that in Southern California and the rest of the country, college administrators use these oversized vehicles to transport their teams to out-of-town events. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the Cal Baptist running team was on its way to a Mammoth high-altitude training camp when their van was involved in a head-on collision with an out-of-control Ford Expedition SUV on Highway 395.
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Mazda is expanding a vehicle defect recall to 500,000 cars worldwide because of steering problems. According to a news report in the New York Times, this recall covers the auto maker’s popular 2007 to 2009 Mazda 3 and Mazda 5 models in the United States, Europe and Asia.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue involves a loss of power assist with the power steering which can reduce the driver’s ability to steer the vehicle and increase the possibility or risk of a car accident. The recall comes nearly a year after Mazda started fixing vehicles in Japan for an identical problem.
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The latest news on the auto defects front is the GM seat belt failure recall. General Motors Company is issuing a vehicle defect recall for nearly 250,000 crossover vehicles worldwide because of defective seatbelts. According to an Associated Press news report, the second-row seatbelts in these vehicles could be damaged and fail to latch. This recall affects 2009 and 2010 models of the Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. A majority of the vehicles, about 243,000, are in the United States.

The seatbelt buckle in these vehicles could become damaged when the seatback is returned to an upright position. That could cause the buckle to appear to latch, when it is actually is not latched. This is known as “false latching.” The plastic shield around the seatbelt release button, according to GM, can get caught on some trim and fail to return to its normal position after the seats are folded flat. If sufficient force is applied when the seats are pushed back to their normal position, the shield around the release button could cause the button to malfunction.
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A 75-year-old Rosemead man was killed in a Los Angeles car accident early morning on August 15, 2010 on the 110 Freeway. According to a news report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the crash occurred on the Slauson Avenue off ramp of the southbound 110 freeway in South Los Angeles. California Highway Patrol officials reported finding a 1993 Nissan Quest lying on its side. The driver had been ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Officials say the driver was on the freeway off ramp when the minivan veered to the left and struck a wall. The Nissan rolled over several times before coming to rest. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this deceased victim. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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