UNDATED (WKZO) -- State Police are investigating to determine why 55-year-old Larry Brewer of Decatur lost control of his vehicle on a curve on CR 669 near 32nd Street Sunday night and slammed into a tree. He died from the injuries sustained on impact. They may never know. Tests are being conducted, and they are asking for witnesses, but they doubt anyone saw the crash.
It’s the fourth time in the last decade that a vehicle has failed to navigate the off ramp from Southbound U.S.-131 to I-196 headed toward Holland and taken a long tumble 30 feet to the ground below. This time it cost the driver his life when he either jumped or was thrown from the cab. Police believe the driver was going too fast, rolled over and went over the guardrail. The truck was hauling empty boxes this time.
Three years ago it was a semi hauling bottled water. Curves can be tricky. Ford is planning to introduce an electronic Stability control system that can help SUV’s navigate curves, automatically slowing the vehicle down when the driver is going too fast.
It's estimated that 50-thousand crashes each year across the U.S. are caused when a driver rounds a bend too quickly. Curve Control debuts as standard equipment on the new 2011 Ford Explorer going into production later this year. It will be offered on 90 percent of the company's North American crossovers, sport utilities, trucks and vans by 2015.
