1 Killed, 5 Hurt as Tire Tread Separates on SUV

An 18-year-old aspiring college football player was killed and five members of his family were injured Sunday when the tread on the tire of a 1997 Ford Explorer they were traveling in apparently separated, sending the vehicle spinning out of control and over an embankment on the San Diego Freeway in Long Beach, authorities said.

The victim, pronounced dead at the scene, was identified as Brian Morales, of Huntington Park, who had just begun classes at Long Beach City College and was to start a new job next week, said his brother Adolfo Morales.

Adolfo, 27, of Downey, who was driving the black Explorer and another brother, Alvar Morales, 30, of South Gate, were treated for cuts and bruises and released. Three other family members--Alvar’s wife, Rosie, 32, Adolfo’s wife, Herminia Osuna, 23, and their 4-month-old child Giovanny--were in fair condition.

Officials said the tire involved, on the left rear of the Explorer, was a brand called General, which has not been linked with fatal accidents involving Ford’s sport utility vehicles.

In August, the Bridgestone/Firestone Co. announced the recall of 6.5 million Firestone tires after reports that the tread on the tires on Ford SUVs was peeling from the casings, causing drivers to lose control. More than 100 deaths have been linked to the Firestone defect.

Sunday’s crash on the southbound San Diego Freeway occurred about 9:55 a.m. at the Lakewood exit.

Adolfo Morales said the family was on its way to a soccer match in Westminster. Adolfo and Alvar were in the front seat, the two wives and baby were sitting in the second seat, and Brian occupied the rear compartment between the seats and the back of the SUV, Adolfo said.

He had just entered the fast lane and was traveling about 67 mph when he heard a loud noise, Adolfo said. According to Alvar Morales, “the tire just went blam, and the next thing I knew we were flipped over.”

Officials from the California Highway Patrol and the Long Beach Fire Department said the accident occurred when the tread separated from the vehicle’s left rear tire.

According to Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Rick Pillsbury, the SUV spun across five or six lanes of traffic and hit the freeway curb, landing upside down in a small gully near the Lakewood offramp.

CHP investigators said Brian was riding in a cargo area of the truck, which is not designed for passengers and had no seat belts. He was killed by the impact. All of the other passengers were wearing seat belts.

Investigators said the SUV had four types of used tires, which had been installed two months before the accident. Continental General Tire, the manufacturer of the General brand tire, announced last week that it is replacing 140,000 tires of another model because the tread shows a tendency to separate.