George Perry, 58 and his wife, Clara Perry, 59, were killed in a San Bernardino car accident after their SUV veered out of control and crashed on the Interstate 15. According to a news report in the Victorville Daily Press, the fatal injury accident occurred the night of March 28, 2010, when the 2001 Ford Explorer, being driven by George Perry, veered across all lanes of traffic and rolled several times before coming to a stop in a ravine. Two children, who were also passengers in the vehicle, were transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries. Both George and Clara Perry died at the scene.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of George and Clara Perry for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I hope the two children who were in the Explorer did not sustain any serious or catastrophic injuries. I wish these children the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.

Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 263 fatalities and 8,504 injuries involving car accidents in San Bernardino County. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates there are about 10,000 rollover accident fatalities annually in the United States.

Causes of the Accident

Based on this news report, it is not clear why Perry lost control of the SUV. The article does not state that Perry was impaired, fatigued or speeding. There are still several unanswered questions here. Was there an auto product defect or a mechanical malfunction in the SUV that caused Perry to lose control? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway? Was there another vehicle that was involved in this tragic accident? I trust officials are examining various issues in order to determine what occurred here.

Auto Product Liability Issues

Ford SUVs, particularly the Explorer and Expedition, are well-know for tipping over even at low speeds. Because of their high center of gravity and narrower track width, these SUVs are disproportionately prone to rollovers compared to other passenger vehicles. Roof crush is also a serious problem in Ford SUVs. When the vehicle rolls over, the flimsy roof caves in. Roof crush often leads to catastrophic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.

The Perrys' family would be well advised to contact a reputed California personal injury lawyer who has the experience of pursuing large auto makers such as Ford, General Motors as well as other Japanese auto manufacturers in auto product defect cases. The family would also be well-advised to preserve the Explorer in its current condition so it can be thoroughly examined by an expert for auto product defects, mechanical problems and other evidence.

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.

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