Legal news article for Florida SUV accident attorneys. Separated tire tread caused a fatal Ford Explorer rollover.
Florida Highway Patrol alerts Florida SUV accident attorneys- The tire tread separated on a Ford Explorer and caused the vehicle to rollover.
Orlando, FL—A SUV rollover killed one child and injured nine other children during a church outing. The SUV rollover happened on Sunday, October 4, 2009 around 4:45 p.m., along I-95 just south of the Flagler County line, as reported by the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the rear tire tread separated on an overloaded Ford Explorer, which caused the SUV to hit a guardrail and flip twice. A 6-year-old boy identified as Abimael Saint Juste was killed in the crash. The boy’s mother, Guerline Saint Juste, 41, of Orlando was driving the vehicle and was also injured in the wreck. Ten other children were in the SUV, who were a part of a church caravan from the Orlando Gospel Assembly to Jacksonville, when the crash occurred. Four of the 10 injured children identified as, Vanessa Meritil, 10; Deborah Latigue, 11; Ashley Latigue, 15; and Sophony Henry, 14, were transported by area emergency medical services (EMS) crews to the Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Ormond Beach.
Abimael Saint Juste and Sheila Henry, 11, were transported by EMS teams to the Florida Hospital Flagler in Palm Coast for treatment and were released. Abimael Saint Juste was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital by attending medical professionals. Henry was later transferred to Orlando Regional Medical Center for continued treatment. The rest of the injured victims, Taneesha Saint Juste, 13; Kimberly Saint Juste, 11; Stephanie Lafortune, 5; and Fabiola Mertil were all transported by EMS professionals to the Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach for treatment of their injuries. Guerline Saint Juste was also transported to the Halifax Health Medical by EMS teams for treatment and was released. Police officials believe the driver was the only one wearing a seatbelt in the overloaded SUV. The fatal rollover is currently under investigation by the FHP, and charges are pending.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Florida SUV accident lawyers.