The California Highway Patrol reported a man was killed Tuesday night in a solo vehicle crash in Tehama County. The man, identified as Darrell Ogier, 32, of Red Bluff, was driving his Ford Escort on Pine Creek Road approaching Reeds Creek Road when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a large tree. The accident occurred just after 10 p.m. According to a CHP spokesman, Ogier was travelling north on Pine Creek Road at an unknown speed when his vehicle drifted into southbound lanes. Ogier likely "overcorrected" and turned his vehicle to the right, causing it to go off the road and strike the tree.
Please keep the family of Darrell Ogier in your prayers as they mourn this sudden and unexpected loss. Our sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved him.
Based on reports of the incident in the Record Searchlight, the cause of the accident is not clear. The CHP is investigating the cause of the fatal crash, and will determine if alcohol, unsafe speeds or something entirely out of the driver's control caused this accident. While the incident remains under investigation, the family of Darrell Ogier may consider speaking with a California wrongful death attorney to determine their legal rights. If an unsafe road condition, or a vehicle mechanical failure led to this unfortunate crash, the family may have a claim against the agency responsible for maintaining the road, or the manufacturer of the vehicle. An attorney can review the investigative report of the incident, determine if similar crashes have occurred at the same location, and research safety issues of the vehicle involved.
Source: Redding Record Searchlight
During adverse conditions it will often be noticed that it is the rear of a vehicle that loses traction first.
What the average person and some experts are not aware of is that there can be as high as 950 pounds or more weight on the front axle of their vehicle than the back. So a car that feels like a limousine on the front holds like a golf cart on the back
A 3000lb car with a weight ratio of 65% front weight and 35% rear weight will weigh 1950lb on the front and 1050 on the rear. After you use 10 gallon of fuel from the rear tank one of the front wheels has as much traction as both rear combined.
If you analyze single vehicle accidents you will find most of them had better tires on the front than the back or a very large weight difference. In fact the worst balanced cars have 4 times as many fatalities as cars designed with better balance. How are you going to tell how fast is too fast under these conditions when it is possible for a balanced car to handle fine on a slippery surface at 50 mph and an unbalanced car to lose control at 20 mph and both to feel the same to the drivers.
There are some good videos on the Internet showing how important the rear tires of a vehicle are. Also the Society of Automotive Engineers paper 2002-01-0553 shows any decrease of tread depth from new of the rear tires can contribute to an accident.