Joseph Perez, 54, ran a red light and struck a van carrying prisoners, causing it to roll over, said police.

About the Prisoner Transport Crash

According to KIII-TV, the crash happened just after midnight on August 24 at the intersection of North Tancahua and Lipan streets, just down the street from the Nueces County jail in Corpus Christi, Texas. According to police, 54-year-old Joseph Perez ran a red light and struck a van carrying prisoners, causing it to roll over.

The three prisoners inside the van were taken to a local hospital. They are expected to be okay. Perez has been charged with Intoxication Assault with a Motor Vehicle.

Rollover Crash Facts

Rollover accidents are rarer and more deadly than other highway traffic accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), of the nearly 9.1 million passenger car, SUV, pickup and van crashes in 2010, only 2.1% involved a rollover; however, they accounted for nearly 35% of all deaths from passenger vehicle crashes.

In 2010 alone, more than 7,600 people died in rollover crashes, and most of them (69%) were not wearing safety belts.

Rollover Causes

Several factors may influence the risk of a rollover during a crash. The following factors were taken from NHTSA.

• Vehicle type—Although all vehicle types can rollovers, taller and narrower vehicles have higher centers of gravity and may be more likely to roll during a single-vehicle crash.
• Speed—Some 40% of fatal rollover crashes involved excessive speeding. Additionally, nearly ¾ of fatal rollovers took place where the posted speed limit was 55 miles per hour or higher.
• Alcohol—Nearly half of all fatal rollover crashes involve alcohol. Even a small amount of alcohol can greatly impair judgement, coordination, vision, and more.
• Location—Rural roads are often the scene of fatal rollovers since they tend to be undivided and without barriers. Almost ¾ of fatal rollovers occur in rural areas where the posted speed limit is typically 55 miles per hour or higher.

Contact an Experienced Texas Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car crash, contact Thomas J. Henry. Our experienced auto accident attorneys have experience handling a multitude of injury accidents, no matter how severe the crash or injury. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages if another driver acted negligently. Our firm has the experienced lawyers and financial resources that you need to achieve the real results you deserve.

Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Austin, serving clients across Texas and nationwide. Call us today for a free case review — attorneys are available 24/7, nights and weekends. If you cannot make it to our office, we can visit you at your home, in the hospital, or at work.