An In-depth Analysis of 2005 Buick Terazza CXL

VEHICLE 1:

Vehicle 1 was a green 2005 Buick Terazza CXL mini van, vehicle, bearing temporary Florida tag. J78OTP and VIN#: 5GADV33L25D201085. The vehicle was registered to Silvia Tapia Ramirez of 5607 Bailey Road, Plant City, FL 33565. Vehicle 1 had a registered curb weight of 4320 pounds.

A post collision examination of Vehicle 1 revealed it was powered by a sequential multi-point fuel injection, 200-hp 3.5 Litre, V6, OHC, 12 valve engine, with no apparent modifications. The drive train consisted of a front wheel drive, 4 speed automatic transmission with overdrive, with no apparent modifications and both components appeared to be in good condition with no notable deficiencies.

Vehicle 1 was equipped with an independent front strut

suspension with anti-roll bar and front coil springs. Vehicle 1 also had an independent rear short and long arm suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs and rear air shocks. Vehicle 1 was also equipped with an automatic rear suspension levelling. Vehicle 1 was also equipped with speed-sensing, hydraulic power-assist rack and pinion steering

Vehicle 1 had leather bucket front seats for the driver and front passenger, one center row bucket seat behind the front passenger seat, which had a child safety seat, seatbelted to the seat. There was no center row seat behind the driver seat. There was also a bench seat for three rear occupants. The driver and passenger restraint systems consisted of height adjustable 3-point reel seatbelts with pre-tensioners and driver and passenger front impact airbags as well as seat-mounted driver and passenger side-impact airbags. The driver side airbags, both the front impact and seat mounted airbags did deploy.

The braking system consisted of a 4 wheel anti-lock braking system, with front ventilated and rear disc brakes.

An examination of the tires on Vehicle 1 revealed all four of the tires to be radial tires. The right front tire was a BF Goodrich brand tire, 225/60/17 in size and was inflated to 42 psi. The left front tire was a Kumho brand tire, 225/60/17 in size and was flat due to damage from the crash. The left rear tire was a Goodyear brand tire, 215/65/17 in size and was inflated to 24 psi. The right rear tire was a Michelin brand tire, 245/65/17 in size and was inflated to 40 psi. All the tires were in fair condition with an average tread depth of

5/32's.

Vehicle 1 appeared to have been decent working order. A search of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recall database produced three recalls for Vehicle 1, campaign #’s: 10V110000, 09E005000 and 05V287000. Recall campaign number 10V110000 was a recall on Dorman steering knuckles. A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without working. I inspected the steering on Vehicle 1 and the steering was working properly with both front wheels turning left and right in tandem. Based on a review of the recalls, it does not appear that a mechanical failure or defect was a contributing factor in this crash.

Vehicle 1 sustained significant damage driver door area of the vehicle.

the hood, windshield and roof were also damaged due to impact with the wooden utility pole.

Driver 1:

Veronica Garcia, did not have a valid Florida Driver’s License. Veronica Garcia's current address is 3915 Wilder Road, Plant City, FL 33565. Veronica Garcia was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Trip History (Driver 1 ):

Veronica Garcia, according to her husband, Miguel Ibarra-Bravo and cousin Silvia Ramirez, Garcia was at a house warming party with them in Lakeland on Saturday. They returned home at about 1900 hours. Ramirez related Veronica did not drink any alcohol at the party. Ibarra-Bravo said they went to sleep Saturday night about 2230 hours and woke up at 0530 hours Sunday morning. Garcia took the van and was driving her children to Ramirez’s residence at 5607 Bailey Road when the crash

occurred.