Fatal Rollover Accident near Dunaway Road
EL CENTRO, CA (May 11, 2018) – A rollover crash on Interstate 8 killed two adults and injured seven children, late Friday morning.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal accident happened around 10:30 AM. A 1999 Ford hauling a heavily loaded trailer was heading eastbound on I-8 when the 42-year-old driver lost control and veered off onto the dirt shoulder, just west of Dunaway Road.
In an attempt to get the Ford back to the roadway, the driver overcorrected, causing the vehicle to roll multiple times. The driver and a 31-year-old woman in the passenger’s seat suffered critical injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. There identities were not immediately disclosed.
Other passengers, confirmed to be seven minors, were transported to hospitals for sustaining injuries: A 12-year-old boy was transported to Loma Linda Medical Center after suffering from multiple cuts and complained of difficulty in breathing; a 10-year-old girl sustained abrasions to her face and was taken to Rady Children’s with a tourniquet applied to her leg; a 6-year-old girl was sent to the Riverside University Hospital with unspecified injuries; a 5-year-old boy was transported to the El Centro Regional Medical Center after suffering burns to his left calf and several abrasions to his body; a 4-year-old girl was taken to the Rady Children’s with undetermined injuries; a 2-year-old boy taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center had a broken clavicle; and a 1-year-old boy was rushed to El Centro Regional Medical Center with a bruise on his forehead and scratches covering his body.
As per initial reports, it was determined that the occupants in the vehicle were not secured in a seatbelt, resulting in the passengers getting ejected from the Ford. Car seats were also found inside the vehicle, but they were not utilized properly. The victims of the crash were all reported to be residents of Lakeside, and the adults killed in the crash are also believed to be the parents of the injured children.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the collision. They also emphasized a reminder to the public about the importance of utilizing seatbelts at all times and to follow speed limits, especially when towing.
We offer our sincerest sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased. May they rest in peace.
When involved in a serious auto accident, it is important to have strong legal representation on your side. With over 40 years of experience in the field, Sweet Law Group has dealt with cases including wrongful death, car accidents, disability law, and personal injury. Call us at (800) 203-3061 for a free consultation at a location near you. For your convenience, we are availble to our clients 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week through email, text message, phone call, and online chat.
