(Not a photo of the actual accident)
A 6-month-old baby boy died several days after being ejected from a vehicle in a bad car accident.
The crash happened in June on Bob Bullock Loop in front of the Laredo International Airport when one vehicle tried to make a U-turn.
When they arrived on the scene at about 9:30 p.m., Laredo Police found a white Chevy Malibu and silver GMC Sierra crashed. The Malibu, reportedly, made a U-turn to head south on Loop 20, but did not yield to the oncoming Sierra.
The baby boy was thrown from the Malibu and discovered near the west sidewalk of Bob Bullock Loop block 5200. The 6-month-old was transported to a local hospital. Once he was stabilized, he was airlifted to San Antonio Hospital in critical condition. Three days later, the baby died from his injuries.
It is not clear if the baby was strapped into his detachable baby safety seat properly at the time of the car accident.
Three other people were transported to the hospital due to the crash: the 42-year-old man and 23-year-old woman in the Malibu and the 22-year-old man in the GMC. Their injuries were non-life threatening.
Laredo Police are investigating the accident. Toxicology tests results of the drivers is forthcoming.
Until the case is closed, police say, no charges will be filed against the drivers.
Laredo's most dangerous roads
Tragically, accidents like this are becoming far too common in our community, as Laredo is home to about 12 to 25 fatal accidents every year, according to police data. Hotspots for car accidents in Laredo are primarily on highways, but not always. Going by fatal crash data from 2017-2019, the most dangerous roadways and intersections in Laredo are:
- Lloyd Bentsen Highway (59) at Casa Blanca Lake Road and North Arkansas Avenue
- The Bob Bullock Loop (Route 20) right outside the airport at the East Corridor Road intersection and again at El Ranchito
- I-35
- Santa Maria Avenue at Sherman and Pace streets
- Mines Road (1472) at Lowry and Bristol roads
- South Sacred Heart Drive (I-83) at Pecan and San Luis streets
Vision Zero (accidents)
Laredo, like many U.S. cities, has signed onto Vision Zero in an effort to reduce fatal and serious injury-causing traffic accidents. The goal of VZ is to end all traffic deaths around the city. The program was started in Sweden in the late 1990s and focuses on using crash data to pinpoint trouble spots. With that information, city officials can develop traffic calming measures — like roundabouts — to decrease bad accidents. Vision Zero also promotes the construction and redesign of streets so that they may accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, commercial trucks, and cars more safely. Personal safety, organizers say, should not be cut for the sake of mobility.
The most common factors in fatal accidents include:
- Speeding
- Not wearing safety equipment, like seatbelts and helmets
- Unsafe vehicles
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Human error
Vision Zero responds to these factors with a variety of tools, including median barriers, lowering speed limits, perimeter protection for pedestrians and cyclists, pedestrian scrambles, limiting right-on-red turns, ignition locks for problem drunk drivers, roundabouts, high-contrast lighting, and awareness campaigns regarding the importance of wearing seatbelts and helmets, among other safety information.
Laredo's trusted car accident law firm
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a car accident with a negligent driver you deserve justice. John R. Solis Attorney at Law fights for the rights of Laredo and south Texas accident victims. A native Texan, Solis has successfully resolved more than 4,000 cases.
Our law firm believes you need the maximum payout for your injuries and losses. We understand what is at stake. If you leave money on the table now, you may not have anything left when your accident-related injuries flare up again and require additional surgery in a few years.
Attorney Solis knows how to build a strong case to get you everything you need to make a full recovery. When the insurance companies won't budge from a too-small settlement offer, we are more than happy to win you the most compensation for your accident through a court verdict.
Learn more about your accident
Attorney Solis knows money is tight after an accident. This is why our firm offers free case reviews to accident victims. We can help you understand how the law applies to your specific situation and the true value of your claim. Our legal team often takes on clients for a contingency fee. With this payment arrangement our fee is paid for by the insurance companies — not you. We only get paid when we win.
Contact John R. Solis Attorney at Law today to learn more about your case and how we can help. You have nothing to lose, so call or email our Laredo office now.