Enrique Yepez, 62, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident San Bernardino car accident the morning of September 27, 2009 after the vehicle he was a passenger in rolled over and struck a tree. According to a news report in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Yepez was riding in the back of a 1992 Honda Civic traveling west on the 10 Freeway near Citrus Avenue in Fontana when one of its tires blew out. The car then overturned and crashed into a tree, California Highway Patrol officials said. Yepez died at a local hospital shortly after the car accident. Two other occupants of the Honda were hospitalized with injuries.

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

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 15 fatalities and 675 injuries were reported as a result of Fontana car accidents. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 308 deaths and 9,920 injuries occurred in 2007 involving car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 10,000 people die each year in the United States as a result of rollover car accidents and a majority of those crashes involve light trucks and SUVs. Rollovers account for about 25 percent of all traffic accident fatalities in the United States.

Based on this news report, this fatal accident occurred because of a tire blowout. As auto products liability attorneys, we often see that defective tires are among the most common causes for drivers to lose control of their vehicles on the freeway. When a tire suddenly blows out or loses its tire tread, the vehicle may go out of control, especially while traveling at freeway speed. The driver, however experienced he or she may be, becomes helpless in such cases.

Auto Products Liability Issues

In this case, it is not clear whether the tire was defective or if it was a tire maintenance issue. But Yepez’s family should make every effort to preserve what is left of the tire. An experienced California personal injury lawyer who has a successful track record of handling tire defect cases will help determine whether the accident, which led to Yepez’s death was in fact caused by a defective product.

This is also a good time to remind ourselves about the importance of proper tire maintenance. When tires are maintained properly, it improves steering, stopping, traction and the load-carrying ability of your vehicle.

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.