Deadly crash highlights importance of proper vehicle maintenance
A deadly rollover crash on I-10 earlier this week may have been preventable, according to new information released by the California Highway Patrol on Wednesday. The crash occurred at 4:15 p.m. Monday in the westbound lanes near Desert Center, which is just east of the Coachella Valley.
“Seat belts and child safety seats are very, very important,” California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Radford told CBS Local 2’s and KESQ News Channel 3’s Katie Widner. “Over 50% of the people who have been dying out here the last few years have not been wearing the proper seat belt or child safety seat.”
Officer Radford said he is confident most of those killed would still be alive had they been belted-in properly. Possibly, like in Monday’s double-tragedy involving a Texas family after their left, rear tire blew out, sending the vehicle they were traveling in off of Interstate-10 near Chiraco Summit. The vehicle rolled several times. 30-year-old Kristen Duran and her son, 9-year-old Anthony, were killed.
“Here were four people in the vehicle, two of them weren’t belted properly and unfortunately they were ejected and ended up dying. The two people that were in the car seat and the seat belt so it is very, very important for everyone to make sure everyone, not only themselves are wearing the proper restraint,” Radford said.
An I-Team Investigation by KESQ’s Karen Devine recently uncovered a sharp increase of deadly crashes along that same stretch of roadway.
Radford said that people encountering a blown-out tire should stay calm, grasp the wheel tightly and move their foot off of the gas.
Read: safety concerns about aging tires
NTSB says at least 500 crash deaths per year are linked to tire problems
Pete Valdez, owner of Pete’s Automotive in Thousand Palms, said the two most important things when it comes to safety are tires that are in good shape and having the correct tire pressure.
“Tires have a date code. Anything in excess of 5 years should be replaced. Even though the visual track might look good, the overall cracking can tell you it’s time to replace them,” Valdez explained. “If a tire is low in pressure it is going to overheat.”
Read: Extreme heat can cause tire blowouts
Experts said tires should be checked twice a month and before long road trips. According to Officer Radford, most car seats are not installed properly.
The CHP – Indio Office offers a free service every Friday where a trained individual will check yours and even install it for you if needed. Call 760 772-5300 for more information and to set up an appointment.
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