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(cont from Home)
According to the accident report, the weather was clear, all were wearing their seat belts and the van was being operated within posted speed limits. No citations were issued. At the time, she was traveling with close family friends from Greenville, SC to Savannah, GA on I-26. She was an avid softball player and was on her way to play in a tournament in Savannah with her team. She was the only one ejected from the vehicle and the only one to have fatal injuries. Four others were in the van … two adults and two additional children … they all received minor injuries.
After the accident I did some research into 15-passenger vans and found that they have experienced significant rollover problems since they were first introduced in the early 70’s. Further, they have not been subjected to the same federal safety standards and test requirements as have been applied to similar multi passenger vehicles such as SUVs and minivans.
This is a picture of the van in which my daughter was riding. This shows the damage to a 15-passenger van that can be expected when a rollover occurs while traveling at legal interstate highway speed.
Over the years there have been numerous fatal, single vehicle rollover accidents with these 15-passenger vans. Many of these resulted from rear tire failures virtually identical to the accident that killed my daughter and have been documented by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
According to the NHTSA , from 1997 through 2006 there were 1,090 fatalities of van occupants resulting from crashes involving these15-passenger vans. Of the 1,090 fatalities, 534 resulted from largely preventable single vehicle rollover crashes of the 15-passenger vans. The propensity for rollovers of these vans have been well known by the government and the manufacturers for years and until recently nothing more than consumer advisories have been issued by NHTSA.
Within the last couple of years NHTSA has enacted new federal safety standards and rules to address a number of problems with these vehicles, as follows …
- Lap/shoulder belts are now required in all new vans for all seating positions.
- All new vans must now be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) to help reduce the risk of rollover.
- All new vans must be equipped with tire pressure monitoring system to help reduce the risk of tire failure.
- Many of the federal motor vehicle safety standards are being expanded to cover 15-passenger vans and to provide better containment and protection of occupants in the event of a rollover.
- 15-passenger vans must now include rollover risk star rating on the new vehicle sticker.
These changes should improve the safety of new vans, but will do nothing for the estimated 550,000 15-passenger vans on the road.
Since the accident I have also found out that the tire that failed had been put on the van just prior to the fatal trip … It was identical in size and rating to the original tires on the van… It appeared to be “new” and never used, but inspection of the tire after the accident revealed, from the DOT number, that it was thriteen years old. It was the unused spare tire. It was installed on the van at a tire dealership/shop and no mention was made as to the age of the tire or any possible danger. The accident report said the rear tires “appeared to be in new condition”.
I have since discovered that tires “age” over time whether they are actually used on the road or not. It is a slow oxidation process that breaks down the internals that hold the tire together. In many cases there are no outward signs of this deterioration … Because of numerous accidents and wrongful death law suits, many car and tire manufacturers are now recommending that tires (including the spare) be replaced after six years, regardless of the amount of tread. Various consumer groups have for years tried to get “expiration dates” on tires. To date, this effort has been successfully resisted by the tire manufacturers. They are required to show the date of manufacture on tires … but no expiration date … unfortunately, the date of manufacture is embedded in the DOT code and frequently only on the inward sidewall making it difficult to read.
This is a picture of the tire that failed and caused my daughter’s accident. Had an expiration date been on that tire, it would not have been installed on the van and the accident likely would never have happened.
Since the accident I have met with numerous legislators in WashingtonDC to investigate the safety of these vans. I have also had a meeting with NHTSA and communicated with NTSB to find out what they’re doing to improve the safety of these vans. As mentioned above, much has been done to improve the safety of new vans being manufactured … but … more needs to be done to improve safety for both the new vans and the estimated 550,000 15-passenger vans currently on the road !
I believe there is a lack of public awareness of the dangers of these vans and the danger of “aged” tires. As a result, I have formed this non-profit company with the mission of bringing awareness of the dangers of these vans and of “aged” tires to as many people as possible in hopes that this effort will save lives. I plan to dedicate my life to this effort in honor of my daughter.
Although I would prefer that all 15-passenger vans be taken off the road, I realize this won’t happen. … so I’m asking that if you must drive a 15-passenger van or ride in one, please, please be aware of the dangers and follow the attached safety guidelines. I don’t want another family to go through the pain I’ve experienced since Lexie’s accident.
Please contact me if you have questions or comments.
Patrick James
5013 Jade Pasture Lane
Knoxville, TN
Tel: 865-247-4776
Cell:865-951-3544
E-mail:
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