An 18-year-old woman who was killed in a Los Angeles car accident has been identified as Elizabeth Amstone. The teenager was a passenger in a 1995 Acura Integra whose 17-year-old driver lost control and crashed the vehicle on the 605 Freeway in Irwindale the morning of December 1, 2009. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports that the driver, Deshawn Johnson, was going south near Arrow Highway when the vehicle went off the roadway and rolled over on the shoulder. Amstone was thrown out of the vehicle and fell partially on to the freeway lane. California Highway Patrol officials, who are investigating the crash, are not sure how fast Deshawn was going or whether Amstone was buckled up. Amstone was pronounced dead at the scene while Deshawn sustained relatively minor injuries to his hand and leg.
Deadly Rollover Accident
I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of young Elizabeth Amstone for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this young woman. They will be in my prayers.
According to CHP's 2007 traffic accident statistics, 712 people died and 56,475 were injured as a result of car accidents in Los Angeles County. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that rollover accident fatalities account for 25 percent of all traffic accident fatalities. About 10,000 people die each year in rollover accidents in the United States.
It's not clear based on this news report why the Acura went off the road. Did speed or alcohol play a part in this tragic crash? Was there a vehicle defect or a mechanical malfunction that caused the Acura to crash? Did a dangerous condition on the roadway, such as debris, cause or contribute to the accident? Did the accident involve another vehicle? There are several unanswered questions here that need to be answered.
The Question of Seatbelt Defect
It would also be important to find in this case, whether Amstone was thrown out of the Acura because of a defective seatbelt. Did her seat restraint system fail during this rollover crash leading to her fatal injuries? If I were a member of her family, I'd have the vehicle preserved, unaltered, so it can be carefully examined by an expert for seatbelt defects as well as other product defects. A reputed Los Angeles personal injury attorney, who has successfully handled seatbelt defect cases will be able to determine what happened here and why.
We are 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 a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.
I actually wrote a post regarding seat belt safety on my blog a couple weeks ago (http://helpcaraccident.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/tip-1-wear-your-seatbelt/). I am trying to help people be safer and more aware on the road. It's such a shame how many similar stories I see every day. Best of luck to the victim's family.