A terrible accident this past week in Mississippi serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of wearing seat belts. The extent of injuries related to the wreck were severe, with one child dead and multiple others recovering at local hospitals.
The wreck occurred last Saturday night in Lowndes County, Mississippi. Around 9 p.m., officials say that a northbound Mustang collided with a westbound pickup truck. The crash occurred at the intersection of Highway 69 and New Hope Road.
Authorities say that one of the passengers in the Mustang suffered serious injuries while the six-year-old child in the back seat, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, suffered fatal injuries. The child was initially taken by helicopter to a nearby children’s hospital and succumbed to her injuries sometime thereafter.
There were three passengers in the pickup truck, all of whom sustained serious injuries. A 17-year-old was airlifted to a medical center in north Mississippi, but is said to be in fair condition today. An 18-year-old was ejected from the truck and was also taken to the hospital with serious injuries. A 12-year-old in the truck suffered more minor injuries. Officials with the Mississippi Highway Patrol say they are currently investigating the crash as well as what may have happened to cause the collision.
The accident is devastating and our hearts go out to the loved ones of those involved, especially the family of the young child. This incident illustrates just how important it is to not only always wear a seat belt, but to ensure that those in your vehicle are also properly restrained.
Though it’s a cliché, its true that seat belts really do save lives. According to the CDC, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among those aged 1-54. Using a seat belt is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries associated with these crashes. Despite the abundant evidence that seat belts are important, millions of people do not wear their seat belts.
Statistics show that wearing a seat belt reduces your risk of dying in a car crash by approximately 50 percent. Not only is it crucial to always wear a seat belt for your own sake, it’s important to do so to set the right example for others, especially for children. According to one study, children are likely to be properly restrained 92 percent of the time when adults in the car wear their seat belts. In cases where adults don’t, only 72 percent of children are properly restrained. For your sake and for the sake of your kids, please buckle up.
If you have been injured in a Mississippi car, motorcycle or tractor-trailer accident and think you may have a personal injury claim, please contact the Mississippi personal injury attorneys at Kilpatrick & Philley at 601-707-4669.
Source: http://www.wcbi.com/local-news/child-dies-from-injuries-in-saturday-night-accident/