California Injury Lawyer Blog

A 60-year-old Oro Grande man tragically died Tuesday night in an accident on northbound Interstate 15, the Victorville Daily Press reported. The man, identified by the San Bernardino Sheriff-Coroner as Stephen Michael Fenstermaker, was a passenger in a 2004 Ford Explorer. For reasons still under investigation, at about 7:20 p.m., the driver of the Ford Explorer lost control of her vehicle. The SUV went off the freeway and rolled down a ravine on the right side of the freeway. Fenstermaker died at the scene of the crash. The driver of the vehicle suffered a broken leg.

Our condolences go out to the family of Stephen Fenstermaker and everyone who knew and loved him. Please keep his family in your prayers.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Based on the limited information provided in news reports, it is not clear why the driver of the Ford Explorer went off the freeway. At this point, there are more questions than answers regarding what happened and whether this Interstate 15 accident was caused by driver error or a defect in the vehicle or a dangerous condition on the roadway.

Ford Explorer Rollover Accidents on Interstate 15

On Sunday, March 28th, a Rancho Cucamonga couple died in a Ford Explorer rollover accident in the Cajon Pass, on southbound Interstate 15, north of Highway 138. That accident, and this July 13th accident, are reminders of the potentially deadly consequences of SUV rollover accidents at highway speeds. Earlier this year, a southern California jury awarded $23.5 million to a woman who was paralyzed following a Ford Rollover accident on Interstate 15 on March 23, 2007. In that case, jurors were shown evidence at trial that Ford knew of the safety issues of the Explorer, yet executives declined safety improvement recommendations in an effort to save money.

Ford Explorer Rollovers and Wrongful Death Liability

Ford Motor Company has paid out millions to victims of Ford Explorer rollover accidents. In situations such as this one, where someone dies as a result of a Ford Explorer rollover accident, the victim's family would be well-advised to contact a California SUV rollover accident lawyer with proven experience handling claims against Ford Motor Company. A skilled lawyer can review the unique circumstances of the accident and advise the victim's family of their best course of action to protect their legal rights following an accident, and help them understand who is responsible for their loss.

Although no amount of money can bring back a life tragically lost, a wrongful death claim can hold accountable the parties that are responsible and give families hope that similar accidents may be prevented in the future. Damages awarded for a wrongful death claim may include money for anticipated future earnings and benefits of the decedent, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of love, care and companionship.

Continue reading "One Killed, One Injured in Interstate 15 Ford Explorer Rollover Crash in Cajon Pass" »

Two people were killed Sunday, March 28, 2010 in a SUV rollover accident on southbound Interstate 15, the California Highway Patrol reported. The accident occurred at about 7 p.m., north of State Highway 138 in the Cajon Pass. According to a statement released by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner's Department, officers responding to reports of the accident found the red 2001 Ford Explorer overturned in a ravine on the west side of the freeway. Witnesses said the Ford Explorer was travelling at between 60 to 65 mph in the #1 lane of I-15 when, for unknown reasons, the SUV veered across all lanes of traffic and overturned multiple times. The victims were identified as George Perry, 58, of Rancho Cucamonga, the passenger, and Clara Perry, 59, also of Rancho Cucamonga, the driver. Both died at the scene of the crash.

Fatal Rollover Accidents in Southern California

This heartbreaking accident serves as another reminder of the potentially deadly consequences of SUV rollovers at highway speeds. Sadly, this accident is only one of many fatal SUV rollovers in Southern California this year. Just last Tuesday, two teens were killed in a SUV rollover on Interstate 5 involving a 2003 Nissan Xterra. Earlier this month, on March 21, 2010, a 46-year-old San Bernardino woman was killed in a solo-vehicle SUV rollover on southbound I-15 near Kenwood Drive. That accident was attributed to a tire blowout. Last December, a 24-year-old man was killed in a rollover accident on northbound Interstate 15 in Barstow.

Ford Explorer Rollovers & Liability

In February, a jury in West Valley Superior Court returned a 12-0 verdict ordering Ford Motor Company to pay $23.5 million to a woman paralyzed after a 1997 Ford Explorer rollover accident on March 23, 2007. At trial, jurors saw evidence Ford knew of the safety issues, and that engineers had made recommendations to improve vehicle safety, but management turned down recommendations. Ford has paid out hundreds of millions to victims and their families injured or killed in Ford Explorer rollover accidents.

Although this most recent Interstate 15 accident is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, the family of the two people killed in the Cajon Pass accident would be well advised to consult with a California SUV rollover accident lawyer about their legal rights. An attorney who has successfully handled large damage cases against major automakers can help the family obtain justice for their loss and hold the parties responsible accountable to the maximum extent.