A baby girl and her parents were killed in a Long Beach car accident after the Ford Explorer SUV in which they were traveling crashed. The father has been identified by Coroner’s officials as 20-year-old Abel Israel Gutierrez and the infant has been identified as 2-month-old Sophia Gutierrez. The child’s mother, 19, has not yet been identified. According to a news report in The Press Telegram, the fatal rollover accident occurred the night of April 16, 2012 on the southbound 710 Freeway near Long Beach Boulevard. California Highway Patrol officials say the Explorer, which was driven by the 19-year-old woman, for an unknown reason, went out of control and overturned. Gutierrez and his daughter were pronounced dead at the scene. The mother was transported to an area trauma center where she too died from her injuries. CHP officials are still looking into what caused this tragic accident.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of these three deceased car accident victims for their tragic and devastating loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  More

Daimler Trucks North America has issued an auto defect recall for about 9,800 trucks. According to a news report in OverdriveOnline.com, the automaker is recalling select vehicles from three 2012 truck models for two separate defects. The company is recalling 8,747 model year 2012 Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 4900 vehicles manufactured from December 22, 2011 through February 23, 2012 because the vehicles may be equipped with driver’s seats with seat bases that may have out-of-specification welds. This could cause the seat to buckle unexpectedly. Such as sudden movement of the seat could affect the driver’s visibility and his or her ability to control the vehicle posing a hazard.

Two Separate Recalls

DTNA is also recalling 1,046 model year 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 and Cascadia vehicles manufactured from January 20, 2012 through February 17, 2012 because the vehicles may have been assembled with a steering wheel nut that “may not provide the clamp load required to fully seat the steering wheel on the steering shaft.” A steering wheel that is not fully seated on the shaft may wobble and make it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle increasing the risk of a car accident. When the recall begins, DTNA will notify the vehicle owners and replacement components will be installed at no charge to the consumer. Concerned vehicle owners are asked to contact the manufacturer at 1-800-547-0712.

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A man was fatally injured in a Los Angeles car accident when the Ford Explorer SUV he was driving went out of control after a tire blowout. According to a news report in The Signal, the rollover crash occurred on the northbound 14 Freeway in Agua Dulce, the night of April 2, 2012. California Highway Patrol officials say the man was traveling on the freeway when the left rear tire of his 2002 Ford Explorer SUV blew out. The vehicle was launched over the right guardrail and rolled down the freeway embankment catching fire. The driver, who has not yet been identified, died inside the vehicle, which was engulfed in flames. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of this deceased victim. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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Antonio Malfavon, 56, was fatally injured in a Riverside County car accident after he lost control of his Toyota SUV and crashed. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal SUV rollover accident occurred the night of March 31, 2012 near Rubidoux Boulevard and 24th Street in Jurupa Valley. Officials say the SUV was northbound on Rubidoux when the driver failed to negotiate a turn. The Toyota went into a field where it crashed and rolled. Malfavon was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was in the vehicle. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Antonio Malfavon for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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Honda has issued an auto defect recall for 2006 model-year CR-V crossover vehicles for a flaw in the suspension system, which could potentially cause a crash. According to a news report in The Car Connection, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s bulletin states that that strength of the weld that holds two parts of the CR-V’s suspension in place – the sub-frame brushing collar and the passenger-side front lower arm – are defective.

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Land Rover North America has issued an auto defect recall for a number of their vehicles for issues with their driveshaft. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other news reports, Land Rover Discovery from the 1995 to 1999 model years, Land Rover Discovery II from 1999 to 2004 model years and 1995 Range Rover Classic vehicles, may have a driveshaft that could detach. Officials say some of the rear driveshaft couplings were manufactured defectively, which can result in joint separation. In severe cases, the vehicle can vibrate causing a failure of the drift coupling and increasing the likelihood of a car accident.

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Michael Schmoll, 17, of Hesperia, was fatally injured in a San Bernardino car accident after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed. According to a news report in The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, the fatal car accident occurred on Choiceana Avenue at Benicia Street in Hesperia on March 17, 2012. Officials say Schmoll lost control of a 1990 Buick and struck a tree. He was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. It is unclear what caused the single vehicle crash. The investigation is underway.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Michael Schmoll following this tragic car accident. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an auto defect recall for 2011-2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid cars due to seatbelt defects. According to Consumer Reports, more than 14,700 Hyundai hybrids cars manufactured since December of 2010 have defective rear seatbelts. NHTSA officials say the lap and shoulder portions of the rear center seat disconnect “when occupants press the 3-point safety belt’s unlock mechanism.” This is a violation of federal safety standards. Hyundai has petitioned the NHTSA in an attempt to avoid having to repair all the vehicles that may have this seatbelt issue.

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Jose Aguilera, 25, was killed in a Riverside car accident after his sedan rolled over and he was ejected, during the early morning hours of March 13, 2012. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal rollover accident occurred at the intersection of Reche Canyon and Woodson roads near Redlands. Officials say Aguilera lost control of his vehicle before it rolled over on the dirt shoulder. He was thrown from the car and pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Officials are still investigating the cause of this fatal crash.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Jose Aguilera following this tragic rollover accident. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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Chrysler has issued an auto defect recall for nearly 210,000 Jeep Liberty SUVs for potential rear suspension problems. According to Consumer Reports, the rear suspension on 2004 to 2005 model year Jeep SUVs sold or operated in the “salt belt” states are defective. Chrysler officials say the rear suspension of the Jeep vehicles may corrode and break after excessive exposure to winter road salt. Failure of the rear lower control arms may cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a car accident.

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