Fatal Rollover Accident Details

On the morning of Monday March 1, 2010, 17-year-old Eaity Emich of Utah died after being involved in a fatal rollover accident on I-84 in Idaho. The driver, 20-year-old Rex Sanasan of Clinton, Utah, had fallen asleep at the wheel, which caused the vehicle to veer off the road. Mr. Sanasan awoke and overcorrected, which caused the vehicle to roll several times. The three passengers, Eaity, Bennett Barry, 22, and 9 –year-old Keio Takky, who were not wearing their seatbelts, were ejected and sustained critical injuries. Bennett and Keio remain in serious condition at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. Mr. Sanasan and his front-seat Passenger Kevin Elimo were wearing their seat-belts on this fatal car accident and have been treated at Twin Falls Hospital for non-critical injuries. The Deseret News reports that alcohol was not a factor in this tragic rollover accident that killed one Utah teenager.

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Eaity Emich for their tragic and devastating loss. My heart goes how to the driver Mr. Sanasan and his injured passengers for the difficult times that lie ahead. I hope they all will heal emotionally and physically from this catastrophic event. Please keep them in your prayers.

Drowsy Driving Kills

Fatigued or drowsy driving is just as dangerous as being an intoxicated or impaired driver. If you are tired and in danger of falling asleep, your reaction time to avoiding collisions or potential road hazards is significantly reduced. If you fall asleep, you lose that ability to react completely and will most likely overcorrect your vehicle while in panic mode when you are awakened. If you are tired its best to pull over—it’s impossible to predict when you may accidentally doze off. The lives and safety of yourself, your passengers and other motorists are threatened when you engage in drowsy driving.

How do you know if You are a Drowsy Driver?

• You can’t stop yawning.
• You drift out of the lane or hit a rumble strip.
• You don’t keep a constant speed—you slow down or speed up frequently.
• You don’t remember the last few miles you have driven.
• You have “monkey mind” or wondering thoughts.
• You can focus or keep your eyes open.

National Statistics

The National Security Council predicts that these figures are a far below the actual numbers of accident caused by drowsy drivers each year due to the difficulty to prove that the motorist fell asleep or was falling asleep at the wheel when the accident occurred.

• Each year 100,000 reported car crashes are directly caused by drowsy drivers
• 72% of adult American men surveyed admitted to drowsy driving in the last year
• 54% of adult American women surveyed admitted to drowsy driving in the last year
• 37% of adults have report to having “dozed off” for a short time last year

The Importance of Contacting an Experienced Utah Auto Accident Lawyer

The time to file a car accident claim is limited, which makes contacting a skilled Utah Car Accident Lawyer as soon as possible of vital importance. Attorney Kenneth L. Christensen and the Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, know the Utah laws relating to personal injury and wrongful death as they deal with particularly auto accident claims. We see far too many victims who are forced to bear the financial burdens of an automobile accident or wrongful death claim because the time has lapsed for them to receive benefits that are available now. Protect yourself by speaking to a qualified Utah personal injury lawyer.

If you or someone you love has suffered through an auto accident injury and you feel it is the result of the negligence of another we urge you to contact us online or call us at 801.506.0800 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.