Fatal Hit-and-Run Leaves Woman Dead, Passenger Hospitalized on the North Side

According to a KSAT News report, an elderly woman is dead after an early-morning rollover accident on the North Side last week.

Police reported the incident occurred on March 1st at around 3 a.m. on a Highway 281 and Loop 410 interchange. The woman, later identified as 76-year-old Eden Nuval, was driving a Hyundai Santa Cruz on the exchange ramp from South 281 and NW Loop 410. A Ford Bronco traveling behind was evidently speeding and struck her from behind, causing her to hit a barrier and rollover. The Bronco then rolled on its side and burst into flames, but the driver fled on foot without rendering aid. The elderly woman and her passenger were taken to the hospital, where she later died.

K9 units were dispatched to search for the missing driver, but they were not found. When they are located, they will charged with failure to stop and render aid resulting in death.

Did You Know?

Roughly 10,000 people die in rollover accidents per year.

Why Do Cars Catch on Fire in Auto Accidents?

Car fires are pretty rare — only about 3% of auto accidents end with a vehicle catching on fire. But car fires do happen, as we just saw in the above case.

You can be burned in an accident even if your car doesn’t catch on fire, but car fires raise your chance of being burned astronomically. It’s really scary for your car to suddenly burst into flames after an accident.

Let’s take a look at the most common reasons why cars light on fire after an accident.

Top 3 Reasons Vehicles Catch on Fire After an Accident

The accident doesn’t have to be major for a vehicle to ignite as long as the proper conditions are met. Car fires can also happen to electric, hybrid, and gas vehicles. Common causes of car fires in Texas include:

• Flammable Liquid Ignition — If fuel starts to leak after an accident, even a tiny spark can ignite the entire vehicle. Fuel leaks can happen from the impact or if the poor design of the vehicle has the fuel line near something sharp enough to cut it.
• Fume Ignition — Flammable gas can also cause a vehicle to catch on fire. If a large enough flame travels back to the fuel tank, it can ignite the fuel, causing a major fire.
• Electrical Fire — Many parts of modern vehicles need electricity to function, from windows to seat warmers. If even a single wire is damaged in an accident, it can cause flammable items to burn and quickly spread throughout the vehicle.

If, after an accident, you notice leaking fuel or smell burning rubber or plastic, your vehicle may be in danger of catching fire. These fires start and spread quickly, so if you notice these signs, get away from the vehicle ASAP.

Burned in an Auto Accident? Call Carabin Shaw.

Burn injuries are no joke — they can leave you permanently scarred or debilitated for months.

Some auto accidents can be handled without an attorney, but burn injuries are serious. You need an expert to represent your burn injury to ensure fair compensation after your auto accident.

Carabin Shaw has represented those seriously burned in auto accidents in San Antonio for more than 30 years, and we put our clients first. Call the team that cares and get your case evaluated by an attorney for free at 800-862-1260, or use the live chat to get started. We look forward to serving you.

Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not require you to work with the firm.

¹KSAT Report