Tyler Macchiavello, 20, was killed in a Tustin car accident after he was ejected from the Ford Explorer SUV he was driving. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal rollover accident occurred the morning of August 3, 2012 on the northbound 55 Freeway at the Interstate 5. California Highway Patrol officials say the Ford SUV flipped and Macchiavello was ejected from the SUV. He had been traveling in the number two lane when he swerved into the number four lane. Officials suspect that he was not wearing a seatbelt. He was transported to an area hospital with major injuries. He died about 13 hours after the crash. An investigation is ongoing.
I offer my deepest sympathies to the family members and friends of Tyler Macchiavello for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Crash Statistics
According to CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were three fatalities and 367 injuries involving Tustin car accidents in 2009. During the same year, 141 people died and 13,373 were injured due to Orange County traffic accidents.
What Caused This Fatal Rollover?
Based on this news report, it appears that Macchiavello lost control of his Ford SUV and crashed. However, there are several unanswered questions here. What caused Macchiavello to lose control of the SUV? Was there some type of auto defect, malfunction or design defect in the Explorer SUV? Ford SUVs are notorious for their instability even at normal speeds. Did this SUV tip over because of defective design? Was Macchiavello ejected from the SUV because he was not buckled up or because of a defective seatbelt? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Liability Issues
Families of deceased victims in such cases would be well advised to preserve the vehicle so it can be examined thoroughly for defects, malfunctions and other evidence. Victims’ families would be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.