Police Pursuit Results in a Rollover Crash That Kills Three

Three people died in a rollover crash in Kinney County after a pursuit on Sunday, April 23rd. Troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety had been trying to pull over a driver who was suspected of human smuggling.

The driver was able to avoid several stop attempts before they hit a ditch. Eight people were ejected from the vehicle during the rollover.

The Kinney County Sheriff’s Office reported that two people died on the scene. A third passed en route to the hospital.

Understanding Rollover Accidents

A rollover accident is defined as occurring when a vehicle tips onto its roof or side at any point during the course of an accident. Rollovers happen most often after a vehicle leaves the road.

These types of crashes can easily result in passengers being ejected from the vehicle, which raises the likelihood of severe injuries or deaths. In 2020, there were 7,182 deaths nationally. Of these, 24% had no impact before the rollover while 76% occurred after the vehicle hit something.

Half of all single-vehicle crash fatalities involved a rollover. When broken down by vehicle type, taller and narrower vehicles had a higher rate of death in rollovers. Car rollovers made up 22% of fatalities in this vehicle type while SUVs and pickup trucks had similar rates at 40% and 41% respectively. 

Staying Safe in a Rollover Crash

If you want to reduce your chances of a rollover, there are certain measures you can take to better protect yourself and your passengers. For instance, opt for lower vehicles with a lower center of gravity if possible.

Additionally, you should take turns at slower speeds, always wear a seatbelt, and make sure your tires are properly inflated. 

If you regularly haul heavy loads, make sure you don’t overload your vehicle. You should also try to balance loads and stabilize them. If the balance is off or the load shifts, your vehicle is more likely to tip over during a turn. 

Finally, make sure you take empty country roads with care. About 75% of all fatal rollovers happen on rural roads. Severe injuries can easily be fatal on a long trip to emergency medical care.

Contact The Villalobos Law Firm if You’ve Been Involved in a McAllen Car Accident

If you have suffered damages as the result of a serious car accident, reach out to the experienced and determined team at The Villalobos Law Firm. 

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Source: KSAT