Jeep Rollover Causes Fatal Accident

In a heartbreaking motor vehicle accident, Franklin County woman, Sharla Shirley was involved in a fatal accident with a tractor-trailer on June 23, 2014. Shirley was driving a Jeep Wrangler from the 1990s and traveling west on AR 22.

While on the road her vehicle swerved into a ditch and returned to the road. Upon returning to the road, the Jeep Wrangler cross the center line and moved into the path of oncoming traffic. The Jeep than collided with and struck a tractor-trailer.

SUVs have issues with rollover accidents and this was no exception. The Jeep Wrangler tipped over on the passenger side. The cause of the accident is not clear but there were weather problems at the time.

The Highway Traffic Safety Administration has mandated that all new SUVs produced since 2009 be equipped with electronic control stability systems. Such systems have radically reduced the likelihood that an SUV involved in a motor vehicle accident will tip over.

Stability systems, which are now mandatory, have reduced the death rates such that a 2009 car without electronic control stability is more likely to lead to a fatal rollover accident than a 2009 or later SUV with electronic control stability.

The hope is that as older Jeeps and SUVs are exchanged for newer cars, tragedies like the one that ended Ms. Shirley’s life will become rarer.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Jeep or truck accident, call the experienced attorneys at Oliver Law Firm for a free consultation. 479-202-5200.