Fatal California Crash Possibly Caused by Stuck Accelerator

While unexplained car accidents are often ultimately attributed to a driver’s actions, authorities now know that previously unreported vehicle defects caused some of these wrecks. This has caused several cases to be re-examined and could help investigators come to the right conclusion the first time after a California accident that took place on New Year’s Eve.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration personnel are working with accident specialists from the California Highway Patrol to look into the possibility of a stuck accelerator after a fatal accident that killed five people in Ontario when a Toyota Yaris exited off of the eastbound 110 Freeway and struck a vehicle that was pulling out of a gas station. The federal investigators will help inspect the Yaris, and Toyota and Lexus vehicles have faced scrutiny in the past for unwanted acceleration.

A witness reported that one person was ejected from a car while firefighters tried to cut the vehicles to extricate the people inside. The Yaris was traveling at a high speed, and its driver said that the car accelerated uncontrollably before the crash happened. A CHP representative said that they will search for all possible factors, and drunk driving has already been eliminated as a cause of the accident.

When car accidents happen because of another motorist’s negligence, injured victims will often think about filing a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for their losses. If a defective auto part caused the accident, the manufacturer or supplier could be named as a defendant. An attorney can be of assistance in pinpointing the party or parties that should be held responsible.

Source: CBS Los Angeles, “5 Dead, Including 1 Child, In Ontario 2-Vehicle Crash”, Dec. 31, 2015