A motorhome towing a trailer Monday afternoon veered off the road heading west on I-90 near Ellensburg, WA, when it blew a tire and the driver lost control, struck a guardrail, veered into the median and down an embankment and into a creek killing two and injuring six, according to a Washington State Patrol accident report and reported by KOMO News.
Louis Edelbrock, 61, of Snohomish, was pronounced dead at the scene, and 6-year-old Kaci Edelbrock died at an Ellensburg hospital, troopers said.
The 62-year-old male driver, along with a 41-year-old female passenger, and a 3-year-old boy were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. A 15-year-old boy was airlifted to Kittitas Valley Hospital in Ellensburg, while a 13-year-old boy and a 6-year-old boy were airlifted to Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital in Yakima. All were in critical condition, according to Trooper Brian Moore.
An 8-year-old girl was the lone passenger who was not injured. Troopers say the driver and the 15-year-old boy were the only two wearing seat belts. The exact relations of those in the motorhome have not been released but the crash report shows they all had the same last name.
Much of the roadway was blocked Monday evening for the investigation but all lanes reopened around 8:30 p.m.
Nine people riding in a motorhome with only TWO wearing seat-belts. I would say that the driver is totally responsible for any deaths and injuries. Last time I checked it is the LAW that everyone HAS to wear a seat-belt.
But if you re read the article the male driver and 15 year were air lifted to a hospital with injuries and they were wearing their seatbelts. But the others who were not died or were injured. But the whole weirdness of the whole thing one was not injured at all. So we need to ascertain were she was when the accident happened. No one at fault except the tire. Just glad it was not all 9 that died. They will recreate the scene and where everyone was will determine where you need not to be if you do not want to die.
How old were the tires? If over 7 years old, then the owner of the RV is fully responsible.
Gee Doug, you must be in the tire selling business.
A 7 year old tire is not an accident waiting to happen. Many tire manufacturers consider their casings viable up to 10 years old if they are inspected yearly by a tire professional.
Is there a possibility that the driver ran over a road hazard that caused the tire to fail?
Please don’t make judgments based on opinions, not facts. I’m sure the driver will suffer greatly by what seems to be the loss of his wife and grand daughter along with serious injury to other family members.
The only viable way to inspect a tire older than 7 years is to remove it from the rim and inspect INSIDE of the tire as well.
Old tires may cost you your life
Here is an excellent video on how to handle a blowout in an RV.
https://joinusforatripdownthervhighway.com/rv-news-and-updates-page-2.php#How to Deal With A Blowout
I agree, Ron! I review this video from time to time just so It becomes more familiar in my mind to improve my reaction in case this ever happens on my coach! Thanks much for the reminder.