NHTSA Complaint #735271 — 1998 FORD AEROSTAR

A RECENT ACCIDENT IN LAS VEGAS CAUSED A DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WHICH EITHER STARTLED THE DRIVER OR RENDERED HIM DAAZED. HIS REACTION WAS TO PLANT HIS FEET FIRMLY, ONE OF WHICH WAS ON THE ACCELLERATOR. THE VAN (MAKE/MODEL UNK) ACCELERATED, GRAZING A VEHICLE IN THE OPPOSING LANE OF TRAFFIC, CAREENED OFF THAT VEHICLE, STRUCK A PICK UP TRUCK IN THE REAR, CAREENED OFF THAT PROCEEDED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION AND STRUCK AN IRON FENCE AND ALMOST MADE IT ONTO THE SIDEWALK AT THE LAS VEGAS CITY HALL. THE INCIDENT WHICH CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY WAS A GLANCING BLOW TO THE VAN WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED ONLY VERY MINOR DAMAGE. IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT IF THE IGNITION OR FUEL SUPPLY WAS DISSABLED WHEN THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED, TWO VEHICLES WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TOTALLED AND THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ANY INJURIES. ONE OF THE INJURED WAS A CITY FIRE INSPECTOR THAT I SUPERVISE AND IS A FRIEND.*AK