Community members of San Diego came together Wednesday to remember two young car accident victims who died Sunday in a tragic rollover car accident in Escondido.
Latrelle Pearson and Xavier Williams were remembered Wednesday night in a candlelight vigil held at a local recreational center in Skyline Hills. The two San Diego boys, ages 10 and 9, were tragically killed Sunday in an SUV car accident on Interstate 15 north of Deer Springs Road in Escondido.
The minivan, a Dodge Caravan, driven by grandfather Roy Ruffin Jr., rolled over several times after colliding with another vehicle before it came to a halt. Latrelle, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle. Xavier was restrained but was partially ejected from the vehicle, the San Diego Union Tribune is reporting. The other driver in a Scion, Lisa Wehus, 24, did not report any injuries as a result of the car accident.
The cause of the accident is unknown, but the California Highway Patrol is investigating the matter. Although unclear, the accident may have been caused by an attempted lane change.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no answer … sometimes life just happens,” said Pastor Terrell Fletcher of City of Hope International Church in response to the boys’ death. Fletcher called the boys “diamonds” of the community whose presence will be much missed.
Seat belt use and child restraint
While injury or fatal car accidents are not entirely preventable, there are steps you can take to help ensure your safety and the safety of your child if an accident should occur. Proper child restraint cannot fully remove the risk associated with injury or death from a car accident, but it can greatly reduce your risk. Consider the following tips when buckling in.
Seat belt use: adults
You should always use your seat belt when driving, or as a passenger in a vehicle. Many people make the false assumption that, if driving in the rear seat, the risk for accident or injury can be reduced should an accident occur. This is completely untrue so please take precaution with every car ride – buckle up!
Child restraint
In the state of California, a child under the age of 8 must still use a booster seat to help prevent injury or death should an accident occur (Children under the age of 8 who are 4′ 9″ or taller may be secured by a safety belt in the back seat.) Never allow your child under 8 to sit in the front seat – according to the California Highway Patrol, “Children are at greater risk when riding in the front seat. A child’s injury risk is reduced by 33% when moved from the front seat to the back seat.” The CHP also reminds all parents that “thousands of children are injured or killed every year by safety seats that are improperly fastened by parents or caretakers. Remember, most collisions occur within a mile of the home – so buckle your child in a safety seat for every trip, no matter how short.”
Children’s injury: car accident attorney
If your child has been injured in an accident and you suspect it is someone else’s fault, you have legal rights. Call us at 1-800-655-6585 for a free consultation. If you are entitled to financial compensation, we will make sure you receive the maximum amount. Call us today.
About Michael PinesMichael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.
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