Mary J. Weinkein killed in rollover crash after tire blowout on U.S. 67

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. —Mary J. Weinkein, a 66-year-old Bonne Terre woman, tragically died Oct. 9 after the right rear tire of her compact SUV failed on U.S. 67 near Mt. Olive Road.

The Bonne Terre woman was northbound at about 11:45 a.m. when the blowout occurred. The Missouri Highway Patrol said the vehicle traveled off the left side of the highway and rolled over after Weinkein overcorrected and lost control of the wheel.

The driver was ejected from the vehicle and died from her injuries at the scene of the accident, according to a local news report. A 15-year-old male passenger suffered minor injuries.

COMMENTARY ON TIRE DEFECT AND ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS

I am very saddened to hear of the tragic death of Mary Weinkein. Here is another instance in which a tire failure led to an SUV rollover crash that has taken the life of an innocent victim.

I have represented individuals and families in hundreds of accidents similar to this one—the results of which have been tragic and life-altering. Despite advances in materials and design, such as steel belts, nylon ply caps, belt wedges, and tire pressure monitoring systems, tire failures and subsequent vehicle rollovers, especially for SUVs, continue to plague our highways.

I have spent the last 30 years trying to raise awareness and influence government safety regulators by writing articles and teaching other attorneys what to look for in tire failure and vehicle rollover crashes. To learn more about why these accidents continue to occur, click here.

I am amazed at the courage and bravery demonstrated by those involved in these tragic accidents as they proceed to overcome the challenges inflicted upon them. I extend my deepest sympathies for those affected by this horrific event.

Disclaimer: At Ammons Law, we are constantly seeking to improve the quality and safety of our roads and highways. We post these articles to help improve safety within our community. All of the information contained within this post was compiled from public sources or constitutes the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if you identify any false or misleading information.