Wendy Rice, a cheer coach at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, and five others were killed in a car accident that occurred on Highway 395, close to Bishop. The Daily Breeze reports that the driver of a Ford SUV lost control as the vehicle went off the roadway and rolled over, initiating the August 9, 2010 accident. A van being driven by Rice was unable to stop in time and crashed into the overturned SUV, which then caught fire. Another car also struck the wreckage. Five of those fatally injured were in the SUV. Twelve Cal Baptist student athletes were injured in the fiery collision.

My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Wendy Rice and the other deceased victims. Rice was apparently a beloved coach and at one time also worked at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach. I hope none of the student athletes was seriously injured and pray that they recover quickly and completely.

Car Accidents

There were nine fatalities and 137 injuries involving car accidents in Inyo County, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Bishop there were no deaths, but 15 people sustained personal injuries as a result of car accidents in 2008.

Causes and Liability Issues

It is not clear from this news report who or what exactly caused this tragic crash. We do not know at this point whether the driver of the Ford SUV was at fault for the initial rollover. Was the driver impaired, distracted, speeding or otherwise negligent? Or was the accident the result of an auto product defect or design defect in the Ford SUV. In such cases, it is always a good idea to preserve the vehicle in its current condition, intact, so it can be carefully examined for product defects, malfunctions, design defects and other evidence.

Victims of this accident or their families would be well-advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of this incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions.

Do you worry for your children’s safety when they are transported in vans, for school functions, instead of larger school buses?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.