At approximately 1:40 pm Saturday, March 30, a Kia car traveling southbound on I-15 hydroplaned and lost control, causing a head-on collision. The Kia skidded across all southbound lanes, the center dirt median, and into northbound traffic, colliding head-on with a Mercedes SUV traveling north. The collision occurred near mile marker 145, near the Halloran Springs Road exit. Three passengers died in the crash, one adult and two children.
The Kia car was driven by a 52-year-old man, transporting five other passengers, a 43-year-old woman, a 19-year-old male, a 13-year-old male, a 7-year-old male, and a 3-year-old male. The 43-year-old woman, identified as Alicia M Ramos, and her 13-year-old son, Isaac Ramos, died as a result of the crash. Alicia succumbed to her injuries while in transport to Barstow Community Hospital, and her son Isaac died on the scene of the crash. The surviving passengers remain in critical condition at this time.
The Mercedes SUV was driven by a 38-year-old male, transporting three other passengers, a 34-year-old woman, a 15-year-old girl, and an 11-year-old boy. The 11-year-old boy, whose identity is undisclosed at this time, died on the scene.
After the collision occurred, the northbound lanes of I-15 were shut down for hours. California Highway Patrol does not believe that either alcohol or drugs contributed to the incident.
Driving In Inclement Weather Increases Chances Of Accidents
According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), nearly 1.2 million weather-related car crashes occur in the US every year, meaning they occur due to adverse weather conditions. Of these 1.2 million crashes, 46 percent occur during rainfall.
Rainfall can cause dangerous driving conditions as it reduces the driver’s visibility and vehicle performance (like tire friction), and increases traffic due to the need for reduced driving speed. When rainfall creates puddles on the roadways, cars are more likely to hydroplane, like in the accident over Easter weekend. Hydroplaning occurs when your car’s tires lose all contact with the road’s surface and begin to glide across the water.
Safety Tips For Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning can be a terrifying and dangerous experience. If you begin to hydroplane, some steps you can take include:
- Removing your foot from the gas: keeping your foot on the gas will cause your wheels to spin faster and worsen the loss of traction you are experiencing.
- Avoid braking: braking can cause your wheels to lock up and make it more difficult to regain control of the vehicle.
- Do not attempt to steer or turn the wheel: attempting to turn or steer your car may cause you to spin out and lose control, instead try to keep a firm grip on the wheel and keep it straight. Once you regain traction you can slowly steer in your desired direction.
Driving in any sort of inclement weather presents unique challenges that require drivers to change their regular driving habits for the safety of themselves and others on the road. It is important to reduce driving speed, increase following distance, and stay vigilant of changing conditions and others on the road. “In my years of practice, I’ve witnessed the profound and devastating impact that car accidents can have on families,” says attorney Brett Schreiber of Singleton Schreiber. “When extreme weather conditions are present, making small changes to how you drive can significantly affect your safety and the safety of others on the road. However, in the event that you are involved in a collision, an experienced attorney may be able to help.”
If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, contact the San Diego car accident lawyers at Singleton Schreiber by calling (619) 648-2537 or by email at info@singletonschreiber.com.
