THOMASTON, Connecticut—A 26-year-old woman was struck and killed after attempting to change a flat tire on Route 8 in Thomaston, Connecticut, between Exit 39 on and off ramps. The accident occurred on October 19, 2022, around 3:35 p.m.
Reports indicate the woman’s vehicle had suffered a flat tire while she was traveling in the left lane of Route 8. The woman pulled over and attempted to change the tire in the left lane where she was hit by a 2021 Subaru Outback driven by a 51-year-old man.
The female was airlifted to Hartford Hospital, where she later passed away. The driver of the Subaru was uninjured.
The crash is still under investigation. No other details are publicly available at this time.
If this highly dangerous situation was created by someone else's negligence, such action should be accounted for
The facts suggest that the Subaru driver may be responsible for hitting the woman as she attempted to change her tire. All drivers have a duty to avoid other motorists, including those stopped on the shoulder of the road. However, this highly dangerous situation would have been avoided had the tire not popped on the main highway. Even when a responsible party appears obvious, other entities, such as the tire manufacturer or a tire repair shop, may share in the liability for the woman’s death.
Tire manufacturers must design and manufacture their tires with safety in mind. To that end, tires should be able to withstand ordinary use without failure. Similarly, tire repair shops must be cautious to repair and install tires correctly. If a tire is installed backward or not inflated to the required PSI, the tire may pop while the car is traveling down a road. In cases where tires go flat unexpectedly and cause injury, it is important to conduct an independent investigation as to whether the tire issue was caused by a company’s negligence.
As should be clear, tire failures like this are preventable. When tires fail, and that failure causes injury or death, victims and their families have every right to demand answers from tire manufacturers and tire repair shops. Especially when the insurance policies of other drivers may not cover the pain and suffering of families who lose a loved one unexpectedly.
We offer our deepest condolences to all involved. This is a life-changing event for the driver of the Subaru and the family of the deceased. We hope all can find peace during this difficult time.
