In quite a large number of posts, the Charleston auto accident lawyers at Howell and Christmas have mentioned that the easiest way to prevent serious injuries and death in a car collision is to wear a seat belt. To some, it is common sense and standard practice to buckle up when getting in their car. To others, it is a safety consideration that is entirely disregarded when traveling in a car.
In a recent two-vehicle accident on Folly Road, all of the 5 persons involved were not wearing their seat belts. The driver of a Ford Explorer that crossed the centerline and struck a Ford F-250, died after being ejected from the SUV. The passenger in the Explorer was also ejected and taken to Medical University Hospital, along with the other passengers and driver of the F-250, with life-threatening injuries.
A strikingly sad aspect of this incident is that all of those in the Ford Explorer were ages 19 and 18. Showing a serious need for Charleston area young people to actively use seat belts. They may not seem “cool” to youngsters, for whatever reason, but accidents like these are an unnecessary learning experience to realize the importance of buckling up every time you get in the car.
The driver of the F-250 was 57-year-old Raleigh, North Carolina woman who was towing an empty horse trailer at the time of the accident. Traveling with her in the pickup were her two dogs, a bichon frise, which has been treated by a local veterinarian for a broken back, and a white-and-black spaniel. The spaniel is still missing after running away from the scene, covered in blood, and with an obvious injury.
Investigators are still looking into the accident as they are unsure what caused the Explorer to initially drift over the centerline and strike the pickup. The collision caused the Explorer to flip on its side and the pickup to crash into a brick house on Folly Road. As of now speed does not appear to be a factor and no charges have been filed, according to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.
