An elderly couple died in a July 21, 2009 Los Angeles car accident after their Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle slammed into a tree on a roadway in La Crescenta area. According to an article in the Glendale News-Press, an 84-year-old woman was behind the wheel and her 81-year-old husband was in the front passenger seat when the fatal car crash occurred in the 5400 block of Pine Glen Road.

An eyewitness said the SUV passed him on the left before attempting to get back onto the correct lane on Pine Glen Road. The Explorer's brake lights were also seen going on and off a few times. The SUV then crossed into the southbound lane and hit the tree, officials said. Both the passenger and the driver were buckled up and their airbags had deployed. They were both pronounced dead at the scene.

I deeply sympathize with the family and friends of this couple for their loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this couple. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 260 fatalities and 27,110 injuries involving car accidents in Los Angeles. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 712 fatalities and 56,475 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in 2007.

Based on this news report, it appears to me that either the driver of the Explorer suffered a medical condition or something went horribly wrong with the SUV. Based on what the witness is telling CHP officials, the woman had lost control of the Explorer. If I were a family member, I would look into whether there was a mechanical problem or a defective auto product that caused the vehicle to go out of control. I'd look into whether there was brake failure here. The Ford Explorer should be preserved in its current, crashed condition, unaltered, so it can be carefully examined by an expert for auto product defects, mechanical malfunction and other evidence. The family of the deceased victims would be well advised to consult a reputed Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who has extensive experience and a successful track record handling Ford Explorer product defect cases. The best product defect law firms will offer a free and comprehensive initial consultation to car accident victims and their families.