According to the Lakeland Ledger, Sandra Nanette Alvarez, 48, of Orlando, FL was driving on Sunday June 14, 2009 with three passengers when she crashed into a Volkswagen Jetta on I-4 in Lakeland, FL.
Alvarez was heading westbound in her 2002 Suzuki Sidekick SUV when apparently her left rear tire blew out. This caused her to lose control of her vehicle and spin clockwise from the left-hand lane into a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta traveling in the center lane.
Florida Highway Patrol, (FHP), reported that Alvarez's Suzuki overturned onto the north shoulder of I-4 and the Volkswagen came to a stop nearby. Driver Joshua Ciaramitaro, 22 of Naples, FL, and Kimberly Haberkorn, 21, of Naples, FL, both told the FHP that they were distanced a few car lengths behind Alvarez when they noticed her tire had appeared to blow out.
The accident occurred just east of the Kathleen Road exit in Polk County, FL. Traffic was detoured up the ramp at Kathleen Road and back onto the highway on the entrance ramp at the same exit while I-4 was shut down.
Until two of the three lanes were reopened on I-4 at 2 p.m., westbound traffic was backed up to the Socrum Loop exit.
Both passengers of the Volkswagen were found to be without injury. Alvarez was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, a few minutes after noon. Her daughter and grandchildren, Ruth Rivera, 20, of Orlando, Justin Griffin, 1, and Victor Antonetty, 5 months, all survived but were listed in serious condition Sunday night.
The children were airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, and Rivera was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
Officials reported that the children were wearing seatbelts in the vehicle, as well as Alvarez and Rivera. Rivera was the front-seat passenger of the vehicle.
FHP sergeant Larry Kraus said whether or not the tired ruptured is still under investigation, but it will be found out.
In my practice as a personal injury attorney in Polk County, Florida, I represent victims of automobile accidents. Sometimes, accidents can occur not because of driver negligence but due to a defective product. In this instance, it appears that the collision occurred when Alvarez's tire blew out unexpectedly.
A detailed investigation may be required, not only by the authorities but also by a personal injury attorney. Both the vehicle and the tire must be preserved in their original state so that an expert can ultimately conclude whether the tire was defective. If this is the case, all parties may have a claim against the tire manufacturer.
