Daisy Alfaro, 17, and Jesus Alfaro, 24, were killed in a Bakersfield car accident after a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer in which they were traveling overturned on the 5 Freeway. According to a KCRA news report, the fatal rollover accident occurred on the Interstate 5 in Bakersfield, the morning of November 24, 2011. California Highway Patrol officials say Miguel Alfaro let the SUV drift toward the center divider before he attempted to re-enter his lane. The SUV rolled over. Daisy and Jesus Alfaro were killed in the crash and five others were hospitalized with minor to moderate injuries.

My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Daisy and Jesus Alfaro following this tragic car accident. My thoughts and prayers are also with the injured victims of this fatal SUV rollover accident.

SUV Rollover Accident Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that every year, 10,000 people are killed in rollover accidents in the United States. That number accounts for nearly 25 percent of all fatal traffic accidents in the country. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2008, 58 percent of SUV occupants who were killed in crashes were in vehicles that rolled over. In comparison, 47 percent of deaths in pickups and 25 percent of deaths in cars were in rollover accidents.

What Caused This Collision

Based on this news report, officials believe Miguel Alfaro overcorrected and caused the vehicle to overturn. I trust investigators are looking for answers to a number of questions here. What caused the SUV to drift away from the road? Was the motorist distracted, fatigued, under the influence, or otherwise negligent? Was there an auto defect or design flaw in the SUV that led to this fatal rollover crash and injuries? Were the two fatally injured victims not wearing seatbelts or were their seatbelts defective? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

The SUV involved in this incident is a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Chevy Trailblazer SUVs, especially model years 2002 to 2005, were rated poorly in a recent roof crush study performed by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.

The Trailblazer along with the Chevy Blazer and Ford Explorer ranked poorly in the study, which looked specifically at vehicle roof strength. What this means is that the Chevy Trailblazer’s roof is weak. So, during a rollover accident, it caves in on its occupants, crushing them. Victims, who are involved in these types of rollover accidents, tend to suffer severe head injuries, traumatic brain injuries or neck and spinal cord injuries.

Liability Issues

In this case, the family of the deceased victims would be well advised to preserve the damaged SUV so an expert can examine it thoroughly for evidence of product defects, malfunctions or design flaws. Victims' families would be well advised to contact an experienced Bakersfield personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.