MCCLAIN COUNTY, Okla. — A tragic rollover accident on Interstate 35 near Goldsby claimed the life of 18-year-old Gabriel Williams on Jan. 3 and injured three other teenagers.
Williams was driving a 2002 Ford van northbound on I-35 near mile marker 102 at about 3:05 a.m. when the vehicle veered off the road, according to reports from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP). He overcorrected, and the van traveled to the right, causing it to roll.
Three of the five passengers, ages 17 to 18, were ejected during the accident. Williams, an Oklahoma City resident, died at the scene of the crash. First responders transported two of the other passengers to local hospitals in critical condition and treated then released another at the scene of the accident.
Local news outlets reported that the teenagers were seniors in the Moore Public Schools district, which extended its condolences to the family of Williams in a statement.
OHP officials reportedly said they believe the victim was sleepy and inattentive before the accident happened, but have not released any additional details on factors that may have contributed to the crash or their ongoing investigation.
Commentary on the fatal rollover accident claiming the life of Gabriel Williams
I am deeply saddened to learn of this tragic accident that took a young man’s life and seriously injured three others. I extend my deepest condolences to the community and families involved.
I have devoted my career helping victims seriously injured or killed in automobile accidents. Rollovers are one of the most common types of accidents I handle. In a rollover accident, the auto manufacturer is held liable for the vehicle’s occupants’ harm when the vehicle is not crashworthy. Rollovers are a known and foreseeable risk of driving, and manufacturers are charged with designing vehicles that can adequately protect occupants from the impact of the rollover sequence. This entails adequate roof strength, airbags, and seatbelts.
Given the propensity of rollover accidents and the threat of liability for failing to design their vehicles adequately, you would think all vehicles would incorporate the latest safety technology. Unfortunately, for many auto manufacturers, this is not the case. Manufacturers have consistently disregarded known safety measures in the pursuit of profits. Many of the turn-of-the-century vehicles, like the one in this case, did not use available technology due to cost. However, that is no excuse, and we are still experiencing the ramifications of various manufacturers’ decisions today.
I encourage those involved in this accident to take the necessary steps to determine if the van in question was equipped with adequate safety technology. This is a severe accident, and the outcome will cause many unspeakable suffering. I hope all those impacted can find solace during this heart-wrenching time of grief.
Disclaimer: All information contained within this post was compiled from public sources or constitutes the author’s opinion. Please inform us immediately if you identify any false or misleading information
