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Three people died on Saturday morning, May 11, in Pasadena, California. Just after 2:30 am, a Tesla Model 3 sedan was involved in a single-car accident that killed three of the six occupants.
The sedan was heading west on Foothill Boulevard when the driver failed to properly negotiate a curve in the road. The car hit the curb which sent it into the air, according to Pasadena Lt. Anthony Russo. After becoming airborne, the car collided with two city light poles, a power pole, and a building located at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Vista Avenue. The car came to a stop several hundred feet west of the building it hit.
All six occupants of the vehicle were between the ages of 17 to 22. Russo said that police believe speed was a contributing factor and that there was evidence at the scene that suggested alcohol may have been involved. “It’s too soon for us to tell if the driver was impaired or if any of the occupants were under the influence,” said Russo.
The three individuals who died were men between the ages of 18 and 21, one of whom was the driver of the vehicle. The ages of the other three occupants, two females and a male were not immediately available. City spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said the three injured occupants suffered substantial injuries, though their conditions were not known at the time of her statement.
According to Russo, investigators will continue looking into this incident to determine the cause of the crash and whether or not the car’s autopilot feature was engaged at the time of the incident.
Factors That Contribute To Car Accidents
Car accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including driver error, weather conditions, road conditions, manufacturer errors, and more.
Driver Error
- Distracted driving (texting, talking on the phone, eating, talking to other passengers, etc)
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
- Inexperienced driving
- Reckless driving (weaving in and out of traffic, road rage, etc)
Weather Conditions
- Rain, snow, or ice on the roads reduces traction
- Fog or mist can impair visibility
- High winds affecting control of the vehicle
Road Conditions
- Potholes or uneven pavement
- Debris or objects on the road
- Construction causing congestion and confusion on the road
- Lack of proper signage or road markings
Vehicle Malfunctions
- Steering mechanism issues
- Tire blowouts
- Brake failure
- Electrical system failures
- Faulty airbags or seat belts
- And more
Other factors that may also contribute may include environmental factors and medical conditions.
Each of these factors, either alone or in combination with one another, can contribute to the occurrence of car accidents.
“Our hearts go out to the families who lost their loved ones and those who were injured in the Saturday morning crash,” says Brett Schreiber, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “as a personal injury attorney I’ve seen firsthand the heartbreaking impact a fatal car accident can have on families, friends, and community. It’s important that those involved in this accident, and others who’ve experienced similar situations know that they may have legal recourse and could consider contacting a car accident lawyer.”
If you have lost a loved one or been injured in a car accident, reach out to a San Diego motor vehicle accident lawyer at Singleton Schreiber by calling (619) 771-3473 or emailing us at info@singletonschreiber.com to learn more about your potential options.
