Juan and Manuel Encinas Killed in a Multi-vehicle Tire Blowout Accident on Interstate 19 in Tucson, Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. – Authorities have released the names of two men killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 19 that involved a rollover caused by a tire blowout.

The victims were identified as 56-year-old Manuel Encinas and his 35-year-old son, Juan Encinas, both of Tucson.

Emergency crews arriving at the scene found four vehicles involved, including one overturned, with several people attempting to exit their vehicles.

According to reports, a northbound vehicle experienced a tire blowout, lost control, and rolled into the median before landing on its roof in the southbound lanes. A southbound vehicle then struck the overturned vehicle, sparking a chain-reaction collision.

The vehicle’s tire must be examined for possible defects

There is no doubt that the tire in this incident must be reviewed to determine its role in this deadly incident. Anytime someone loses their life on our roadways, the surviving family deserves to know exactly what factors contributed to the loss of their loved one. That includes examining tires for possible defects.

Some tire blowouts are caused by a defect in the tire. These tires should never have made it on our roads. This is why, after a tire blowout accident, trained professionals need to investigate what really caused the failure, rather than just assuming it was unavoidable.

Defective tires often reveal signs of poor bonding or flawed construction. Poor bonding occurs when the internal layers of the tire aren’t adequately sealed, leading to smooth patches and internal rubbing. Sloppy manufacturing can result in components being misaligned or structurally weak. These flaws make a tire more likely to fail under normal driving conditions, and when that happens, the manufacturer should be held accountable.

Tire repair shops may also share responsibility for incidents involving tire failure. If a shop installs a tire that isn’t suited for the vehicle or makes an improper repair, that negligence can contribute to a crash. Everyone in the chain—from design to installation—has a duty to keep drivers safe.

Only a close examination of the tire in question by trained professionals can reveal what truly went wrong. If any negligence or wrongdoing did happen in the health of the tire by a second or third party, those responsible should be held accountable for this tragic incident.

The Encinas family lost two of their precious family members: they have a right to know whether this tragedy could have been prevented.

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The Ammons Law Firm represents clients nationwide in catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation, with extensive experience in complex auto/tire defect and commercial vehicle cases.

 Disclaimer: This post is not legal advice. Information contained in this blog was compiled from third-party sources or is the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if false or misleading information is contained in this post.