6 Year Old Pontoon Beach Girl Killed After Being Struck by a Pickup
A 6 year old girl in Pontoon Beach was tragically killed Sunday afternoon after being run over by a pickup truck. Lyvia Roach had been riding her bike down the street when a pickup backed out of a nearby driveway and struck her. Her bike was found in the grass nearby. She had not been wearing a helmet and did suffer a head injury. According to the autopsy, her injuries seem to be the result of contact with a vehicle and not a fall, which one neighbor insisted as the cause of death. The accident happened just a few feet from a traffic sign that warned motorists to drive slowly because of playing children.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Roach family during this terrible tragedy. To lose someone so young is truly heartbreaking and I hope her family can find the strength to make it through this unfortunate period.
This tragedy is a reminder that if not handled with care, a motor vehicle can cause serious injury and death even operating at slow speeds for short distances. Drivers of all types of vehicles have a duty to keep a proper lookout before proceeding from any stopped position. That duty is even greater when there is known to be children present such as a neighborhood like Lyvia Roach’s or school zones. A 6-yr old child is not expected in our society to be able to recognize and understand the danger of being around cars and trucks of any size, so the extra burden is placed on the driver. The Roach family will likely need time to sort through and mourn the loss of their daughter and the last thing on their mind will be the little things that can be missed or mistakes made when in such an emotional state. Our best decisions are not made when we are in this state of mind.
When you or someone you love has been seriously injured or even killed in a car wreck or truck accident, the best thing to do is find someone who can step in and help take care of all of the details to determine exactly what went wrong and to make sure no important evidence is lost along the way. That leaves families like the Roaches free to take whatever time they need to cope with the tragic loss of their daughter. Knowing the right person to do just that can be difficult, but as with anything, the more you know, the better decision you can make. Before hiring any attorney in a case as important as this, the Roaches should take the time to request information to review in their own home so they are not pressured in a stranger’s office when they are in an emotional state of mind.
Then, if the books, reports and other materials provided make sense and the feeling is right, choose the right St. Louis accident attorney that fits your needs. If the attorney has no information other than a brochure to provide and just wants to have you sign on the dotted line, it is a huge red flag to look for someone else.
When a child is hurt, the situation is not only more traumatic but also more complicated. Since it is often hard to think clearly in these instances, it would be wise to know the mistakes that can be made after an accident before it even occurs. You can learn why you shouldn’t talk to the adjuster or sign any forms by requesting a free copy of my Missouri accident guide, “I Survived! The Crash Victim’s Guide to Dealing with the Aftermath.”
4 Year Old Wentzville Boy is Killed in East St. Louis Crash
A one-car crash in the 2500 block of Caseyville Avenue in East St. Louis resulted in the death of 4 year old Taqwon Reeves of Wentzville Missouri. The boy’s father was driving the car when he struck a utility pole in the early evening. The boy’s father was critically injured along with another 2 year old passenger.
I wish the Reeves family strength as they suffer through this terrible loss. Losing a child so young is absolutely devastating and my thoughts are with the family. Fatal car accident statistics show that car crash deaths are the number one for children—killing more kids than any other danger.
Since the report did not reveal the conditions of the road or what kind of car Taqwon’s father had been driving, it is hard for me to predict what could have happened during the crash that resulted in the tragic death of the 4 year old. It is critical that the Reeves family contacts a St. Louis auto accident lawyer who can help them understand the nature of the crash.
If the children and adults in the car were properly strapped in, it may make the car accident injuries and fatality more of a mystery. Unfortunately, the insurance adjuster will use the mysteries about the accident to reduce the car accident settlement; which could leave the Reeves family without help with medical bills or under a hefty medical lien. A St. Louis car accident lawyer, however, could help them avoid these mistakes and negotiate with the insurance company for a settlement that could actually help them pay their medical bills and get back on their feet. The family would be well-advised to find free information from a personal accident lawyer like my book, “I Survived! The Crash Victim’s Guide to Dealing with the Aftermath.” In fact, anyone can request it for free by clicking here.
Young Wentzville Driver Killed in Three Car Crash
Michelle Hampton, a 16 year old girl from Wentzville, was killed yesterday in a three car crash. Michelle ran a stop sign and crossed into the northbound lanes of Highway 61, hitting a Chevrolet Avalanche and then running into a Buick Regal. The other drivers were not injured but Michelle was killed at the scene.
My heart really goes out to Michelle’s family. It is a terrible tragedy to lose a brand new driver in an accident. I wish them strength and courage through these hard times.
Even though it appears the accident was her fault, it is odd that the other drivers weren’t injured. This raises a serious question on whether or not the safety features in Michelle’s car functioned properly or were indeed faulty or defectively designed. If this is the case, the auto manufacturer could very well be responsible for the death of Michelle even though she ran the stop sign. Running the stop sign did not cause the injuries she sustained, but her impact with the inside of her vehicle did. If that impact could have been prevented by properly designed safety devices inside the car, Michelle may very well be with us today. It is extremely important that Michelle’s family preserve the car she was driving before it is scrapped at a junkyard and possibly important evidence is lost.
The Hampton family would be well advised to speak with an attorney experienced in fatal car accidents. He or she would know the best course of action to pursue to ensure that they can truly understand the nature of the accident and formulate an appropriate claim.
2 Year Old Girl Dies From Poor Supervision in Texas; Information Prevented From Going Public
A loophole in Texas day care licensing may to be blame for preventing information about the death of 2 year old Isabella Estep from becoming public. Isabella had put a small rock taken from the playground in her mouth. She was not under appropriate supervision on the playground and by the time she returned to the classroom, she was choking on the rock. She lay unconscious on the floor of the classroom and, while the children around her had began to take notice, her teacher, Mia Jennings, did not acknowledge the situation until her lips had turned blue. Even though Jennings eventually noticed, she was not trained in first aid and had to carry Isabella to find help.
Unfortunately, too much time had elapsed and Isabella died.
It was determined by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, who is in charge of licensing day cares, that her death was the result of poor supervision. It was later found that Jennings had no high school education or first aid training—which violated Texas law and resulted in charges against the owner of the school, Woodbridge Day School, for neglectful supervision among other things.
With the perceived threat of being shut down, the owner’s husband, Robert Hall announced his intention to sell the school to allow the teachers there to keep their jobs. As it turns out, there is a loophole in Texas state law that allows teacher’s names to be removed from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services website listing if the ownership changes hands. This means that the facility can continue without public information about Isabella’s death and the tragic cause.
The current lawsuit, brought about by Isabella’s mother Marcelina Osorio, accuses the day care center “failed to provide the minimum degree of competency and good judgment.” The attorney on the case is Jeff Rasansky, a Dallas attorney with special expertise in day care injury cases.
I wish Jeff the best of luck in fighting for this mother. Accidents involving children are particularly devastating and it is important to bring these accidents out in the light in order to avoid them in the future.
Man from St. Charles Killed in Three Car Crash on Thursday Night
A three vehicle crash on Thursday night resulted in the death of St. Charles man Michael Prater, 33. The accident, which occurred in Franklin County on Highway 100, was the result of a car, driven by Nicole Feldmann, crossing the center lane. Feldmann hit Prater, causing Prater to spin across the highway and be struck by a pickup truck, driven by Terry Robinson. While the other drivers sustained minor to moderate injuries, Prater suffered critical injuries. He passed away on Thursday evening at St. John’s Mercy Medical.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Prater family. I wish them the utmost strength as they endure these hard times.
I also hope that his family can get the treatment they deserve from the insurance company. In order to do so, it will be important for them to contact an attorney who is experienced in wrongful death situations. There are a few possibilities as to the cause of the accident—one of which may be a violation by the driver who originally hit Michael. If that driver had been breaking the law, like driving while distracted or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the nature of Michael’s death will be clearer.
It is hard to negotiate with the insurance company when you are under the stress of losing a loved one. The Prater family would be well-advised to contact an attorney to help them navigate their way through this painful time.
Cottage Hills Boy Hurt in Unusual Accident on I-255
An accident involving a car, a minivan, and a tow truck left 12 year old Zachary Anderson in satisfactory condition yesterday morning. On 1-255 by Collinsville, IL, a wheel lift fell off a tow truck. The wheel lift was hit by a car and then struck by a minivan, which caused it to strike Zachary. The driver, Crystal Little, and other passenger of the car, Dylan Little, had only minor injuries. Sean Reese, the driver of the tow truck, was written up for an equipment violation.
Accidents involving children are particularly heart-wrenching. My thoughts are with the Anderson family as he recovers from this tragic accident.
Since Reese was cited for an equipment violation, the Anderson family may want to consider contacting an attorney who specializes in accidents as the result of negligence. Negligence is the failure to take proper care in a situation that could cause someone else to be injured or killed. Not securing the equipment on a truck may be a sign that the operator of the truck had been negligent. If this is the case, an experienced personal injury attorney would know exactly the right evidence to collect to ensure that the Anderson family can recover emotionally and financially.
For more information, see the original article at: http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/st-louis-crime-beat/2009/11/02/boy-12-hurt-in-i-255-accident-near-collinsville/
To contact our office, visit: http://www.castlelaw.net/contact.cfm
Rollover Crash on I-170 results in Ejection and Serious Injuries for a Florissant Woman
Christian Spight, a woman from Florissant, was ejected from her car after a St. Louis County rollover crash on Interstate 170. Afterward, as reported by the post-dispatch, a helicopter flew her to Barnes-Jewish Hospital where she remains in serious condition. Her 2008 Kia Optima rolled after hitting a grass embankment. It was reported that Spight was not wearing her seatbelt. Her passenger, Treman Coleman, however was wearing a seatbelt and is in moderate condition.
My thoughts are with both the Spight and Coleman families. I wish both Christian and Treman a speedy recovery.
It will be important for the Spight and Coleman families to truly understand what happened during the accident. Though it was reported that Christian was not wearing her seatbelt, there are certain instances where a defective seatbelt can detach during a crash, making it look as though a seatbelt had not been worn when it, in fact, had.
It will also be important to properly examine the vehicle for any other possible defects before any changes or repairs are made. Since the car rolled, a weakness in the roof or frame of the car could have drastically changed the nature of the accident—and contributed to the serious injuries that were sustained. Both families would be well-advised to contact an attorney experienced in auto defects soon. The next few days will be critical in determining how they are treated by the insurance companies.
High Accident Rate Calls for Safety Tips This Halloween
While your kids (or maybe you!) prepare to dress in your best costume and celebrate All Hallow’s Eve, it is important to remember safety. The amount of accidents increases substantially on Halloween. With the combination of distracting costumes and the high likelihood for children to dart out into traffic, Halloween has turned into an annual event with one of the highest rates of injury. So what should your children be keeping in mind?
–Pick costumes that your kids can see through. Impaired vision is one of the leading causes of accidents for children.
–Remind your children to use crosswalks and look both ways before crossing the street.
–Make sure your kids remember not to get into cars or talk to strangers.
–Be careful with any props that could actually hurt your children or their friends. While plastic knives, guns and swords are a fun add to a costume, they are potentially dangerous.
–Make sure costumes and wigs are flame retardant and any candles inside pumpkins are far away from a door or anything that could catch fire.
–Teach children their home number and 911 in case of emergency. If they are going out on their own, you may want to consider lending them a cellular phone.
–Get costumes that are bright and reflective or add reflective tape to their trick-or-treat bags for better visibility.
My memories of Halloween with my children are some of my best. I realize it is a time to have fun and relax, but don’t forget to be safe.
11-Year Old Trevor Dennis Goes To Trial Against The Coleman Company
8-year old Trevor Dennis was just like most kids his age. He enjoyed all the things kids normally do, especially camping. All that changed for Trevor on December 5, 2005 when he was on one of many such camping trips with his parents. On that fateful day, Trevor went to bed in the family’s camper trailer which was heated by a Model 5053 ProCat PerfecTemp Coleman propane heater. Sometime during that evening, the heater malfunctioned which caused the camper to burst into flames trapping Trevor inside. Experts for John Bisnar of BISNAR | CHASE, a California personal injury law firm specializing in defective product cases, agree that the Coleman Company manufactured this particular model propane heater using a faulty design, sub-par critical parts and inadequate qualify controls to prevent this type of foreseeable injury to a child.
Taking on a corporation the size of The Coleman Company is no easy task. Most victims just like Trevor don’t have the resources to ask The Coleman Company to do the right thing. The Coleman Company has denied that their design was defective and that they are not responsible for the severe burns to Trevor. They have refused to do the right thing in this case. Fortunately, our justice system provides a system to resolve disputes for anyone injured as a result of the negligence of another. On Monday, November 2, 2009 in Orange County Superior Court, Judge William Monroe will empower a jury to hear little Trevor’s case against The Coleman Company. As they say, “Everyone gets their day in Court.” And that is no different for now 11-year old Trevor Dennis.
On Monday, Trevor will get his chance to stand up to The Coleman Company and show a jury all of the evidence why this model of propane heater was defective and should not have been sold to the unsuspecting public. The jury will get to see first hand the severe burns on Trevor’s body as a result of the way that propane heater was manufactured. I am sure plenty of expert evidence will be presented to show the jury why The Coleman Company should have reasonably known severe harm could be the result of the normal use of their product. Although I have not seen the evidence and don’t know the outcome, I know that once the Dennis family is able to put forth all of their facts to a jury of reasonable citizens and hold the giant Coleman Company responsible, one thing is for certain. 11-year old Trevor Dennis will have made a stand against a giant manufacturer of consumer goods just so they would do the right thing.
Accident Involving MoDOT Vehicle Shuts Down Interstate 170
Interstate 170 North has been shut down near the intersection of Interstate 70 after a Missouri Department of Transportation vehicle got into an accident. Although there are not many details that have been released yet, a post-dispatch article did report that one person was hurt, though they aren’t sure if he or she is a MoDOT employee yet.
The severity of the injuries for the injured party has not been released yet. Whatever the injury, I am hoping for a speedy recovery.
Until further details of the accident are released, I cannot speculate as to the cause of the accident. I do know, however, that if the injured person was indeed a MoDOT employee, their case could have many potential avenues to explore. For instance, there is a potential case against the opposing driver, which would be obvious, but there is also possibly a workers compensation claim and if there were any defects in the MoDOT vehicle that caused the injuries or the accident, MoDOT could be responsible. It will be vital for the injured man or woman to obtain a full accident report in order to understand the direct cause of the accident and its results. In addition, all vehicles involved should be inspected, as well as the stretch of highway where the accident occurred, to determine if there were any unsafe conditions that contributed to the injuries.
The injured person would be well-advised to contact an attorney experienced in auto defects, serious car and truck accidents and workers’ compensation in order to fully understand the accident and what he or she is entitled to.
