Keane Law Firm Blog

Playground equipment and surfaces made from recycled rubber black top get hot enough to cause burn injuries in children.

News reports reveal that playground equipment may cause burn injuries to children during the summer season due to significantly elevated surface heat. One New York parents group is trying to have black top made from recycled tires removed from playgrounds after it was noticed that these surfaces get hot enough to cause burn injuries in children. Most parents are likely to think that slides would be the culprit that retains the most surface heat while glistening in the sun. However, black tops made from recycled rubber get hotter. Black tops get hot enough to burn kids because of the heat retention properties of black and darker surfaces.

When “Good Morning America” staff and paramedics from Montgomery County, MD teamed together to measure surface temperatures on playgrounds, their findings were surprising. While it takes 124 degrees to cause first and second degree burns to human skin, children are more susceptible to burn injuries at slightly lower temperatures and will sustain more serious burns to their delicate skin. The surface temperatures of the black top used in playgrounds was measured and found to range between 132 – 142 degrees. The NYC Park Advocates report that black top surface measurements as high as 160 degrees have been found during the summer months.

Naturally, one way to prevent burn injuries is to have your child wear shoes. However, should any other part of your child’s body come in contact with the elevated surface temperature found in recycled rubber black top your child may still sustain a burn injury.  Please check the playground surface temperature before letting your child go on the equipment, especially in un-shaded playground areas. Light colored surfaces retain less heat and will have lower surface temperatures.   

Thousands of children are hospitalized every year with burn injuries. Developmentally speaking, the skin of younger children is thinner and therefore an injury from burns can cause a greater degree of injury. Keep in mind that a young child’s skin burns at a lower temperature and a greater depth than that of an older child or an adult’s skin. The classification of burns has been traditionally referred to as first, second, third or fourth degree burns. However, the use of terms such as superficial, superficial partial-thickness, deep partial-thickness and full thickness descriptors are becoming more common. Once a burn injury is sustained, different clinical factors present and the victim’s condition may change from day to day. Sometimes these changes make a burn wound worse and may require more treatment in the days following the original injury. So it is hard to tell how extensive an injury is until time goes by and the degree of injury becomes better understood. The degree of injury guides clinical practice and treatment. In general, a child is hospitalized if a superficial burn injury, or worse, exceeds 9% of the total body surface area or if abuse is suspected. And if a full-thickness burn involves 2%, or more of the body surface area the child will be hospitalized. The anatomical location of the injury is also considered while making treatment decisions. Burns to the face, perineum, hands and feet require hospitalization. If 1% body surface area, or greater, of these surface areas are burned, the child will likely be hospitalized. Also requiring special attention are joint areas affected by burn injury. Scarring could cause significant disability and these injuries must be handled carefully.    

News stories from Alameda County report Christian Perez may be charged with the death of his girlfriend’s 18-month old toddler. Patricia Perez and Jose Gamez face charges of child endangerment.

News stories report that an unidentified toddler died from complications associated from burns over 70% of his body after being submersed in scalding water while in the care of Mr. Christian Perez. The little boy died at Shriners Hospital in Sacramento two months after his injuries were sustained. Allegedly, Christian Perez was caring for the toddler and submersed him in scalding bathwater on April 24, 2008. The investigation revealed that after the submersion, Mr. Perez made contact with his sister and her husband, as well as the mother of the toddler. None of the adults notified authorities or activated the emergency medical system upon hearing of the injury sustained by the toddler. Allegedly within two hours, Patricia Perez and Jose Gamez were in contact with the injured toddler. The couple and Mr. Perez failed to seek medical attention for the injured child. Instead the trio went to a local store and bought skin ointment for the toddler’s injuries. When the toddler began having seizures Mr. Perez sought assistance from EMS. Presently, Mr. Perez is in the Santa Rita jail and is currently being held without bail. Perez’s sister, Patricia, and her husband, Jose, will face felony charges of child endangerment. The defense attorney, LaRue Grim, made a statement to the press implying that the police version of events is not accurate.  

Nearly 75 percent of all scalding burns in children are preventable. Bathtub scalds are often associated with lack of supervision or child abuse. Though a burn injury may be thought to be non-intentional, burn injuries are often preventable. Death related to fire and burns is the third leading cause of injury-related deaths in children between the ages of one and nine years of age. Approximately 3,000 children die a year from burn injuries.  

In the infant and toddler age groups, scalding burns from hot liquid is the most common type of burn. A young child’s skin burns at a lower temperature and a greater depth than that of an older child or an adult’s skin. If a child is scalded by submersion in a hot tub, the injury is life threatening due to the large surface area of injury. Also, younger victims are less likely to survive due to the inability of their young bodies to endure the significant physical stress of injury and healing. The higher burn injury rate in young children can be attributed to the higher likelihood of sustaining injury from non-accidental burns in an abusive domestic setting. 

There are many different types of burn injuries including scalding burns, flash-burns, direct-flame burns, grease burns, flammable liquids, combustible gas, electrical and chemical burns. And there are different degrees of burns, such as first, second and third degree burns. First degree burns involve redness and sensitivity at the sight the burn was sustained immediately after contact with a burn agent. Second degree burns generally involve redness, blisters and pain. Second degree burns may cause scarring and infection to occur. Third degree burns are evident when the burn injury is deeper than the skin, muscle and bone may be involved. Third degree burns will leave scars. The skin of a toddler is thin and prone to injuries such as burns from hot liquids or flames.      

Ann Hodge is grieving the loss of her five year-old son to a house fire, days after birthing her infant son. The Keane Law Firm assists families and child victims of fire.

Ann Hodge and her family are grieving the death of five-year old Kavon Williams. He was sleeping at his grandmother’s home, a duplex, when fire erupted. At 3:30 am, the duplex caught fire. The cause of the fire is not known at this time. Kavon’s siblings and grandmother managed to escape, but young Kavon was trapped. Fire trucks arrived and rescuers ran inside to find him. He was taken to Children’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The grandmother, Barbara Hodge, and one of Kavon’s siblings had to be treated for inhalation injury at a local hospital. Kavon’s sisters and brothers are staying with relatives presently. Kavon is fondly remembered as a happy little boy preparing to start kindergarten this fall. Our sympathy is extended to the relatives and friends of the Hodge family.

Death related to fire and burns is the third leading cause of injury-related deaths in children between the ages of one and nine years of age.  Approximately 3,000 children die a year from burn injuries. House fires are responsible for very lethal injuries and are usually associated with inhalation injuries due to smoke exposure. Approximately 45% of house fire victims die as a result of their complex injuries. Approximately 500 children die in fires annually. Approximately 83, 000 children are treated in emergency departments annually for burn injuries. Death rates are highest in the younger population. Aside from the serious nature of burn injuries, often inhalation injuries complicate the clinical course for burn victims. In fact, burn victims die as a result of inhalation injury. History of fire entrapment leads to a high index of suspicion for inhalation injury. During exposure to fire, the victim inhales toxic fumes that arise from the adjacent environmental agent that is burning. Smoke from combustible items in the environment often cause inhalation injuries to the upper airway and this has a more rapid onset of inflammation. Clues that inhalation injury may have occurred may be found in the mechanism of injury or by listening to the lung sounds. For example, providers will suspect inhalation injury if the burn victim was in a confined space at the time of the trauma.

Five year-old Kristopher Love died in his family’s apartment during a fire. The mother, Anela Hobbs sustained a burn injury trying to save her son. The Keane Law Firm assists families that have lost children to fire.

Fire investigators are looking for answers to what caused the fire at the apartment building Kristopher Love resided in with his mother. Anela Hobbs suffered burn injuries as a result of her attempt to save her son from the fire. Neighbors also struggled in an attempt to save his life. News reports say the family’s fire detectors were in working order.

Burns and fires are one of the leading causes of death for children. In fact, burn injuries are the second most common cause of death in children, second to motor vehicle accidents. Thousands of children are hospitalized every year with burn injuries. Approximately 3,000 children die a year from burn injuries.  Approximately 500 children die in fires annually. Approximately 83, 000 children are treated in emergency departments annually for burn injuries. If burn injuries are severe, the survivors suffer varying degrees of permanent physical disfigurement and psychological trauma. Burns are widely regarded as one of the most painful and complex injuries that a victim may endure.  Survival and recovery from burn injuries is often very difficult and lengthy with serious complications along the way. In fact, statistics show that children under four years old are two times more likely to sustain a burn injury than older children and therefore their death rate from burn injuries is higher. Death rates are highest in the younger population. Males and children are the most likely victims of serious burn injuries.

House fires are responsible for very lethal injuries and are usually associated with inhalation injuries due to smoke exposure. It is known that a majority of burn victims are burned from residential fires. And a majority of house fires or injuries involve cooking equipment or cigarettes. Inhalation injury is almost always associated with structural fire and accounts for a much early and late mortality.  

Jessica Mancuso arrested for alleged drunk driving with a child in the vehicle.

In Florida, Jessica Mancuso, was arrested after crashing her truck while allegedly under the influence of alcohol with her four-year-old child in the vehicle. Witnesses report that after Ms. Mancuso crashed her truck into a wall next to the entrance gate of her community and then as she stumbled to get out of the vehicle allegedly she dropped her child. Police arrived to the scene as Ms. Mancuso was walking up her driveway. According the new stories her keys were still in the ignition and the vehicle was still running. When questioned by police, Ms. Mancuso admitted that she had too much to drink and drove home. 

Alcohol is a factor in approximately 23% of the cases where children are involved in motor vehicle accidents. Often the children are passengers in vehicles being operated by drunk drivers.  

Mark Alan Ikerman was charged with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, one count of leaving the scene of an accident and one count of failure to report an accident. Donald Legens, Jr. died from injuries sustained in a hit-and-run.

In Iowa, Donald Legens, Jr., a nine-month-old infant, died today from injuries he sustained when a tow truck hit the vehicle he was in as his dad was filling it with gas. Donald Legens had run out of gas and pulled his SUV to the side of the road. He took his infant son with him to pick up gas and walked back to the truck. When he returned to his truck he placed his son inside the vehicle in his car seat. He was filling his truck with gas when a tow truck hit the vehicle. Witnesses report that the tow truck, allegedly driven by Mark Ikerman, did not stop at the scene of the accident.  

Mark Ikerman, 43 years-old, remains in jail. If convicted Mr. Ikerman faces a possible prison sentence of up to 28 years.  

Children make up 5% of accident fatalities. Nearly 21% of children that are killed in car accidents die from drivers that are operating vehicles while over the legal blood alcohol level.

Austin Sams was killed when a vehicle he was driving was hit by a train.

In Wabash County, Austin Sams, 18-years-old, was killed when a vehicle he was driving was hit by a train. The accident occurred after 3:00 pm as he turned north on CR 700 and then tried to cross railroad tracks. He was hit on the passenger side door by the train. His car caught on fire. Rescuers found his body in the car after the fire was extinguished. The train took a mile and a half to stop after the accident. This is not unusual. Trains require at least a mile to stop. The investigation is ongoing.  

One blogger said there is poor visibility at this site. Wabash County should evaluate this location for safety hazards.         

Mark Ikerman is charged with aggravated driving under the influence, leaving the accident scene and failing to report a wreck. One man is dead and his infant son is injured.

In Illinois, Mark Ikerman, 43 year-old, was driving a tow truck in Granite City early Friday when witnesses saw him ram into the rear-end of a parked SUV. The driver of the SUV, Donald Legens, was killed and his infant was injured. Witnesses saw Mr. Ikerman flee the scene. One witness followed him to his house and notified authorities of his whereabouts. He was subsequently arrested.  

For infants, almost 20% of deaths are caused by car accidents. Alcohol is a factor in approximately 23% of the cases.  

In Oakland, a ten-month-old infant boy is missing after a roll-over accident that killed the driver of the vehicle of which the baby was a passenger.

<sup>In Oakland, investigators are searching for the ten-month-old baby boy that is missing from a vehicle that was involved in a serious accident on Hegenberger Expressway on Saturday, November 1, 2008. News stories report that the 19-year-old driver of the Chevy truck carrying the infant was killed after his truck rolled over and flipped into a canal, landing on its top in approximately 3 feet of running water. There were three adults and two children in the vehicle when it crashed. The investigation reveals that a Ford limousine was traveling in the same direction on Hegenberger Expressway when it hit the Chevy truck causing it to crash. The Oakland Fire Department and Alameda County Sheriff’s Department are conducting a search and recovery mission. Vehicular manslaughter charges may be forthcoming in this case. No one is in custody at this time.   

Mortality from car accidents increases significantly when passengers are not restrained in the vehicles.</sup>   

Joseph G. Heil, III faces charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol. Melissa Fogel is dead.

In Union Township, a deadly accident caused by a drunk driver took the life of Melissa Fogel, 17 year-old girl from Frackville. Sadly, all the passengers riding in the car with Melissa were seriously injured including Edward Fogel and two children. The tragic accident occurred on October 19, 2008. Melissa died at the scene. The other victims were taken to the hospital.  

We rely on our automobiles for transporting our children to their sports and scouting activities, doctor appointments and schools. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2 – 14 years of age is motor vehicle accidents (http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810803.PDF). Motor vehicle accidents are also the leading cause of acquired disability in children. Children make up approximately 5% of the accident fatalities. Approximately 6 children are killed and 700 children are injured every day in car crashes. Nearly 21% of children that are killed in car accidents die from drivers that are operating vehicles while over the legal blood alcohol level.

Trevor Guthrie was arrested for providing alcohol to minors and faces charges of Reckless Homicide, Felony Reckless Endangerment and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor in the death of Ley Meridith Birmingham.

Hamilton County Grand Jury indicted Trevor Guthrie for the death of Ley Meridith Birmingham. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Division investigation reveals that Ley Birmingham and Jonathon Crowe had been visiting with Trevor Guthrie at his home where allegedly alcohol was provided to the two minors. After visiting with Guthrie, Birmingham and Crowe left to go to a local store. The accident occurred after leaving the store. Alcohol and high-speed driving are thought to be contributing factors in the accident.  

In older children, many deaths were associated with alcohol abuse. Kliegman reports that two thirds of child passengers in motor vehicles, over the age of 14, that die are generally associated with a drunk driver.

New Jersey high-speed police chase ends with death of 10 year-old girl and critically injured 14 year-old brother. Harold Saenz is charged with murder.

In New Jersey, a high-speed police chase of a stolen car ended with the death of a 10-year-old girl and her critically injured 14-year-old brother. The driver of the stolen car, Harold Saenz, is a 22 year-old male that is being charged with first-degree murder, second-degree aggravated assault and third-degree theft and third-degree burglary.  

Witnesses say the children riding in the back seat of the silver Honda Accord did not have a chance when the stolen Mercedes slammed into the back of them. The Honda Accord was ripped apart and the children were ejected from the Accord.  

According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2 – 14 years of age is motor vehicle accidents (http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810803.PDF). Motor vehicle accidents are also the leading cause of acquired disability in children. Children make up approximately 5% of the accident fatalities. Approximately 6 children are killed and 700 children are injured every day in car crashes. Nearly 21% of children that are killed in car accidents die from drivers that are operating vehicles while over the legal blood alcohol level.

Shannon L. Baierl, 32 faces felony charges for drunk driving that caused the death of an infant. Family and friends mourn the loss of seven month old, Karen Garcia.

On August 24, 2007, Shannon L. Baierl was driving while intoxicated. Her blood alcohol level was 0.27%, more than three times the Wisconsin legal limit of 0.08. Allegedly, she crossed over the centerline while driving southbound and continued heading south on northbound Highway 175. The car she was driving collided with another vehicle, a Chrysler LaBaron. The passengers of the LaBaron were severely injured. The driver, 21 year-old, Antonio Zarate was severely injured. Anahi Garcio and Crecensio Peres were also injured. The littlest passenger, 7 month-old Karen Garcia sustained mortal injuries and died two days later at Children’s Hospital of Milwaukee. Ms. Baierl has pleaded no contest to homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.    

Approximately 6 children are killed and 700 children are injured every day in car crashes. Nearly 21% of children that are killed in car accidents die from drivers that are operating vehicles while over the legal blood alcohol level. (http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/childpas.htm & http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5304a2.htm & http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/2002chdfacts.pdf).   

Molli R. Allison, 14-year-old, died from injuries sustained in a car accident on Friday, October 10, 2008.

In Oklahoma, Molli R. Allison was a passenger in Aaron T. Allision’s vehicle. They were driving together early Friday morning when they became involved in a serious car accident. Molli had to be extricated from the car by firefighters. She had serious head and internal injuries. Emergency personnel transferred her to Pauls Valley General Hospital where she died from her injuries. Aaron Allision was treated for his injuries and released from the hospital. Lester Mahoney, the driver of the other vehicle, was admitted to Norman Regional Hospital that day.  

According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2 – 14 years of age is motor vehicle accidents (http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810803.PDF). Motor vehicle accidents are also the leading cause of acquired disability in children. Children make up approximately 5% of the accident fatalities. Approximately 6 children are killed and 700 children are injured every day in car crashes. Children living in rural counties are more likely to die in auto injuries than children living in urban areas. Details outlining what happened in this case have not been provided, but in general inexperienced teens driving at excessive speed as unrestrained drivers and passengers on single-lane roads are at the greatest risk for death or serious injury.  A majority of car crashes occur within approximately 25 miles from home.

In Alma, Kellan McCarty, 5-month-old boy, died from injuries sustained from a car crash. Jade Nicole Lee, 16 years-old, is uninjured.

Sadly, Kellan McCarty died from the injuries he sustained while being improperly restrained in a child safety seat in the backseat of a sports utility vehicle. He was taken by life-flight from the accident scene to Memorial Health University Medical Center. He was pronounced dead on the evening of Wednesday, October 8, 2008. The driver, Jade Nicole Lee was uninjured from the accident. She was driving a 2006 Chevy sport utility vehicle at 7:44 a.m., when her vehicle veered from the lane she was in. The investigation reveals she over-corrected and ran off the other side of the road into a ditch and hit a tree.  

Children and infants may suffer head injuries from impacts as low as 4 mph if unrestrained, depending on what type of surface the passenger’s head hits.

In Branch County, Michigan, alcohol is a factor in a serious car accident on Clarendon Road near Herricksville Road.

In Branch County, MI, on September 27, 2008 around 12:14 a.m. Saturday a fatal car accident occurred, leaving one man dead and a child seriously injured. It happened on Clarendon Road near Herrickville Road. When police arrived two vehicles were in a ditch. One vehicle was burning with the driver trapped inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A child passenger was airlifted to a major medical center. The driver of the second car did not sustain injuries from the crash but was burned trying to rescue the other driver. Police report that alcohol is a factor in this fatal crash and the names of the victims have not been released.  

According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2 – 14 years of age is motor vehicle accidents (http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810803.PDF). Motor vehicle accidents are also the leading cause of acquired disability in children. Children make up approximately 5% of the accident fatalities. Approximately 6 children are killed and 700 children are injured every day in car crashes. Nearly 21% of children that are killed in car accidents die from drivers that are operating vehicles while over the legal blood alcohol level. And nearly half the deceased children that are killed by drunk drivers were intoxicated passengers at the time of the accidents (http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/childpas.htm & http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5304a2.htm & http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/2002chdfacts.pdf).  

In San Diego, two women were killed in a car accident on Otay Mesa Road, just west of Highway 125. Three severely injured children were airlifted from the scene.

In San Diego, there was a tragic accident on Otay Mesa Road, west of Highway 125. Two women were killed and five passengers were injured, including three children, ages 2, 6 and 11. San Diego Police Sgt. Raphael Cimmarrusti says the children were airlifted from the collision scene and the other two adults were transported by ambulance. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.   

According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2 – 14 years of age is motor vehicle accidents (http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810803.PDF). Motor vehicle accidents are also the leading cause of acquired disability in children. Children make up approximately 5% of the accident fatalities. Approximately 6 children are killed and 700 children are injured every day in car crashes. Nearly 21% of children that are killed in car accidents die from drivers that are operating vehicles while over the legal blood alcohol level. And nearly half the deceased children that are killed by drunk drivers were intoxicated passengers at the time of the accidents (http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/childpas.htm & http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5304a2.htm & http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/2002chdfacts.pdf 

Studies support that unrestrained child passengers sustain more serious injury then restrained child passengers. Unrestrained child passengers tend to sustain injury to the head, neck, face, chest and extremities with complex injury patterns. Improperly restrained child passengers, especially the 4 – 9 year old group, tend to sustain abdominal and extremity injuries, including ruptured stomach, lacerated or ruptured spleen and ruptured or contusion of the bowels (American Journal of Public Health, “Morbidity among Pediatric Motor Vehicle Crash Victims: The Effectiveness of Seat Belts; Osberg, J.S. & Di Scala, C., Volume 82, No. 3, March 1992).

In Elk Grove, a driver going the wrong way on Interstate 5 caused a fatal accident. Drivers of both cars are pronounced dead at the scene.

Around 2:40 a.m. a deadly car crash occurred on Interstate 5 at Hood-Franklin Road near Elk Grove, as a wrong way driver caused a head-on collision. The wrong way driver was driving a BMW. An off-duty police officer witnessed the driver heading the wrong way and tried to flag him down. Shortly afterwards the BMW collided with a Toyota Camry. The cars broke out in flames. Cosumnes Fire Department arrived and put out the fire. The victims were extricated from the vehicles. The names of the survivors have not been released yet.  

Head-on collisions are not as likely to happen as other types of accidents. If someone is heading right towards you, veer off to your right. Because the other driver might try to correct back into his lane as he is approaching you. In this situation, you may get hit because you went to your left instead of your right. Also, if you veer to the right and hit something on the far right-side of the road, along the side of your vehicle, it is less likely to cause severe injury or death than a head-on collision. So if your choices are to continue head-on, versus hit something on the right side of the road, veer to the right. Hitting an immobile object on the side of the road at 45 mph will have less impact then getting into a head-on collision. If both drivers are traveling at 45 mph towards each other, the impact will be 90 mph. And if the vehicle coming towards you is a semi-truck, the sheer weight of the truck will make your survival practically impossible. Hit a sign along the side of the road, you will be more likely to survive. 

Experts recommend that children should not ride in the front seat until the age of 12. Airbags are hazardous for children under 12 years of age. Because they inflate in head-on collisions with rapid, high amounts of pressure which can deliver a significant blow to the head and face of a child, resulting in more injury. If your older child is sitting in the front seat, position the front passenger seat in the farthest position away from the dash board. An airbag can strike a child hard enough to cause brain or neck injury- even death. Some airbag systems can be turned off easily and should be off while a child is in the front seat.    

In Madison Township, Brian R. Miller, 48, backed his truck and struck his grandchild. His five year-old grandchild is dead.

In Madison Township, Ohio, a five year-old child is dead after being backed over by the truck his grandfather, Brian R. Miller, was driving. The family was in the yard doing yard work at the time of this tragic accident. The accident occurred on the 3400 block of Poplar Street. EMS was called to the scene around 7:30 p.m. The five year-old was flown to Children’s Hospital. Despite advanced life support measures, the child passed away.   

Back-over injuries refer to injuries sustained by a child when a vehicle strikes or runs over a child while in reverse motion. A majority of victims are male. The younger the child, the more likely the child is to sustain injury to the head, face and neck. The older the child, the more likely the child is to sustain injury to the legs. The degree of severity level in internal injury and fracture statistically decreases with the increased age of the victim. Children that are pedestrians are at six time’s greater risk of being a victim in back-over accidents than children riding tricycles or bicycles. The majority of back-over accidents generally occur at home in a driveway. The locations with second highest risk for back-over accidents are parking lots. The CDC reports that fifty percent of child fatalities related to back-over accidents occurred at home in the driveway.

Pamela Palmer grieves for her two daughters, Kevinnesha and Raven. The girls were killed with Geoff, Christy and Rebekah Hart on Sunday, June 22, 2008 during a tragic car accident allegedly caused by David Calhoun Jones in Plano.

News stories report that Pamela Palmer was seeking to be reunited with her two daughters after they had been placed in foster care with the Hart family in March. Ms. Palmer says the Hart family had been very kind to her daughters.  

Plano police are currently investigating the matter to determine whether charges will be filed against David Calhoun Jones of Louisiana. New stories report that Mr. Jones was driving at a high speed while running a red light at the Legacy Drive and Custer Road intersection. Allegedly his rental vehicle struck a fire hydrant before hitting the Hart’s minivan.  

According to the CDC, injury deaths related to motor vehicles are the leading cause of death in children between the ages of one and nine years old. Alcohol is a factor in approximately 23% of the cases. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2 – 14 years of age is motor vehicle accidents (http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810803.PDF). Children make up approximately 5% of the accident fatalities. Approximately 6 children are killed and 700 children are injured every day in car crashes.  

Accidents are more likely to occur close to home because drivers are familiar with their environments and feel comfortable enough to allow distractions while driving, such as talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, looking in the mirror or looking through a purse rather than paying attention to traffic. Don’t let your mind get distracted. While driving, anticipate how other drivers may make mistakes and give your self the room to avoid a collision when they do make those errors. You never know what frame of mind the other driver is in while you are sharing the road. Be very cautious at intersections. Eighty percent of injurious or fatal accidents on the road occur at intersections. And the risk of an accident is greatest within four seconds of a light change. If you are at a stop light, confirm that drivers appear to be braking for their red light before you accelerate into the intersection.

In Plano, Texas five Hart family members were killed in a tragic car accident on their way home from Custer Road United Methodist Church.

On June 22, witnesses to the accident report that a speeding black Pontiac ran a red light and struck the minivan carrying the five family members around 11:00 a.m. The van was struck so hard it was violently pushed into a truck that was stopped at the light. The accident involved multiple vehicles. 

Inside the van were Geoff, Christy and Rebecca Hart with their two foster children, all of which were mortally wounded. The names of the foster children have not been released to news agencies. The driver of the Pontiac is in critical condition.  

Members of the Custer Road United Methodist Church are devastated by this tragedy. EMS responders say it is one of the worst accidents they have responded to.   

Do not run red lights and be cautious through yellow lights. To prevent serious accidents, pay attention at intersections, you may assume that someone will run a red light at any time. Be very cautious at intersections. Eighty percent of injurious or fatal accidents on the road occur at intersections. And the risk of an accident is greatest within four seconds of a light change. If you are at a stop light, confirm that drivers appear to be braking for their red light before you accelerate into the intersection.  

In Detroit, an improperly restrained five month-old infant passenger died when two vehicles collided at an intersection.

Witnesses say the two vehicles collided at the French and Shoemaker intersection. After the vehicle carrying the infant ran a red light the car heading east on Shoemaker collided with it. The impact sent the vehicle carrying the infant into a utility pole. The baby was ejected from the car allegedly because the infant car seat was not properly restrained. The car accident left the infant dead, the driver in critical condition and the passenger in serious condition.  

Unrestrained passengers are four times more likely to die during a car crash. For infants, a nearly 70% reduction in fatality may be achieved with the proper use of restraints. There are several types of car restraint systems that can be used. Depending on the maturity of your child, you may choose from the following seating systems: Infant-only rear-facing seats, convertible-combination seats, forward-facing seats, booster seats, seat belts and travel vests. Vehicles made after the year 2002 have a LATCH system to secure child seating systems. LATCH is an acronym for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. This is a system that can secure the safety seat without using the seat belts. However, depending on the make of the automobile and safety seat, your child safety seat may still require the use of your safety belts. Please follow the manufacturer’s instruction for correct installation of a safety seat. The majority of collisions at intersections occur within the first six seconds of the traffic light change.  

Alexander Moran Cabrera, tragically killed by a back-over accident in a parking lot. Family and friends are grieving and devastated. Community reaches out to family.

The community of San Jose is in mourning. The family of two year-old Alexander Moran Cabrera are grieving his tragic and untimely death. Jose Luis Corona, Alexander’s stepfather, was leaving the apartment in the morning, like any other day, when tragedy, that will forever change his life, struck. News reports say that Mr. Corona was backing out of his parking spot unaware that young Alexander had opened the apartment door and was following behind when he wondered into the path of the moving pick-up truck. The accident occurred as Alexander’s mother was searching for him. Alexander was declared dead at the scene.

Back-over accidents are defined as an accident that occurs when a vehicle strikes or runs over a child while in reverse motion. Statistically, the majority of victims are male. The younger the child, the more likely the child is to sustain injury to the head, face and neck. Death may also occur, as happened in this sad tragedy. The degree of internal injury and fracture statistically decreases with the increased age of the victim. Children that are pedestrians are at six time’s greater risk of being a victim in back-over accidents than children riding tricycles or bicycles. The majority of back-over accidents generally occur at home in a driveway. The locations with second highest risk for back-over accidents are parking lots. The CDC reports that fifty percent of child fatalities related to back-over accidents occurred at home in the driveway.

We, the staff of The Keane Law Firm, join the San Jose community in offering the family of Alexander Moran Cabrera condolences as they grieve their tragic loss.