LOS ANGELES-Relatives of a California woman who was killed in a crash of her Toyota Camry, an accident they said occurred when the car spontaneously sped out of control, sued the automaker on Thursday and demanded the company expand its recall. The suit asserts the crash that killed Noriko Uno, 66, was triggered by a defect in Toyota’s electronic “drive-by-wire” throttle system, which the carmaker has so far ruled out as a cause of incidents of unintended acceleration in its vehicles. Instead, Toyota Motor Corp has insisted such problems are mechanical in nature, rooted in ill-fitting floor mats that can cause the accelerator pedal to jam, or in pedals themselves that stick. Toyota declined to comment on the Uno suit, as it has on other pending litigation, a company spokesman said. The latest products liability and negligence case seeks unspecified monetary damages from the Japanese automaker, which faces a growing number of lawsuits from consumers complaining of runaway acceleration in their vehicles. Toyota has recalled some 8 million vehicles worldwide, including 2.3 million in the United States for the repair of sticking gas pedals in its eight top-selling models. Millions more vehicles were recalled for floor mat adjustments. For the Camry, which accounts for the largest number of U.S. vehicles involved, the recalls cover 2007 through 2010 model-year cars. Uno’s car, bought new by the family from a local dealership, was a 2006 model, though it had just 10,000 miles on it at the time of the crash.
The Uno wreck occurred the same day, August 28, 2009, as a similar accident that was a major turning point in Toyota’s recall saga — the crash of a runaway Lexus driven by an off-duty California Highway Patrol officer near San Diego that killed him and three others.
The case is Uno vs. Toyota Motor Corp et al, Suerior Court of the state of California, for the County of Los Angeles, No. KC057
MORENO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA— Two small children, and 2 adults, died when they where sandwiched between two semi-trucks. The vehicles caught fire Sunday afternoon in the city of Ontario, located southern California. CHP reported 4 deaths and 3 minor injuries, and shut down the highway Saturday afternoon while the crash was investigated. The deaths were caused by a chain-reaction of wrecks that cumulated with the 4 deaths. Paramedics pronounced the victims dead at the scene. Ryan Villalpando, 32, wife Veronica Villalpando 29, their son Mateo, 4, and infant Bella Rose died in the crash south of East Jurupa Street in Ontario.
North County- Bail was set at $2 million yesterday for Tiffany St. Ives accused of fleeing the scene of a fatal car accident in Escondido more than two years ago and then going to what a prosecutor said were extreme lengths to cover up the crime.
Deputy District Attorney Roy Lai said in Vista Superior Court that Tiffany St. Ives, who has run an animal-rescue farm called The Purple Cow in Valley Center for nearly 20 years, struck and killed Marlene Resendiz on Nov. 24, 2007, while the 17-year-old was crossing East Grand Avenue near Rose Street.
Lai said a witness recently came forward who said that after Marlene was killed, St. Ives directed him to repair damage to the front of her black Nissan sedan using parts bought from a junkyard. He told Escondido police that St. Ives also told him to use bleach to wash down the car and later to paint the car gold. The witness said he drew the line at a request from St. Ives to take the repaired and repainted car to Mexico to sell it.
Tiffany St. Ives pleaded not guilty to all charges.
East County- Multiple crashes were reported on east bound I-8 on Sunday night near route 79. At least one of the accidents was a head-on collision, according to California Highway patrol. Eastbound traffic was stopped so a Medi-Vac could land on the freeway to transport out one of the injured. At least three vehicle where reported in the accident and the highway was closed for 2 hours while authorities investigated and crews cleaned up the debris.
San Carlos – A woman pulled her late model Cadillac De ville into her drive way near Wandermere and Golfcrest drives in the early afternoon. The woman then got out of the vehicle to grab something out of the trunk when the car rolled over her breaking her pelvis, according to the police spokesperson. The 40-year-old woman was hospitalized with a broken pelvis and multiple fractures. The police believe a faulty parking break might be the cause.
Vista-Lucas Giaconelli, a 15-year-old, who was skateboarding with friends on Thibodo Road was killed in a hit and run accident Friday evening. The 92 year-old driver came forward to Deputy Ed Macken, while he was conducting traffic control near a memorial for the fatal accident. The elderly man told Macken he didn’t stop following the crash because he thought his vehicle had struck an animal. He said he only realized a person had died there when he saw the roadside candlelight vigil. No arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed. Watch Video
El Cajon – David Reed, a 50 year old man, was killed in a head-on collision involving Andrew Bellatti, a 12th round draft pick for the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, on January 22. Andrew Bellatti was apparently speeding in excess of 80 MPH when he crossed a pair of double yellow lines and crashed head-on with David Reed’s car killing him instantly. Also injured was Reed’s 17 year old son and Bellatti’s 16 year old girlfriend. Authorities confirm that drugs or alcohol don’t appear to be a contributing factor in the cause of this crash and it was most likely due to careless driving and excessive speed. Bellatti who was 18 years old at the time of the accident escaped with only minor injuries.
LAKESIDE — Bridgette Hale, a 36-year-old woman from Ramona, who was originally identified as being from Julian, was killed in a head-on crash Tuesday in Lakeside. It was reported that Ms. Hale was driving in her Chevy van and was struck head on by a 98 Oldsmobile that apparently was driving into the flow of traffic on route 67. Witnesses at the scene said the Oldsmobile had been driving on the wrong side of road for quite some time before striking and killing Hale. The 50 year old driver of the Olds told authorities that he thinks he fell asleep at the wheel but does not remember the moments leading up to the accident. Hale is survived by her infant son and boyfriend, who both reside in Ramona. California highway patrol said the crash is still under investigation.
EL Cajon— A 23 year old woman was killed last night when she was struck by a motorist on the freeway. Rebecca Ann Phillips was hit at about 10 p.m. last night while walking on the southbound shoulder of route 125. A red Chevy car struck and killed the young lady when she walked into the flow of traffic. The young lady who was a passenger in a green Ford Taurus died at the scene. First responders did everything in their power to revive the woman but due to the speed involved and severity of the injuries there was little that could have been done. Officers are still investigating the cause of the accident.
San Diego – Rainy weather has been wreaking havoc in America’s finest city. Many drivers who are not used to the slick roads from the recent rain storms have been crashing all over town. On average on a normal week day in San Diego there are usually 40 to 75 car accidents daily while just yesterday there was a reported 187 car accidents. The California highway patrol is urging drivers to slow down because speed is the number one cause of accidents. The highway patrol also recommends using the penny trick to check your tires. You can do this by taking a penny and sticking it between the treads on your tire. If you can see any part of Lincoln’s head it is time for new tires. Old tires making it easier to hydroplane and take longer to stop in an emergency.
