Takata Death: Medical Examiner Rules Faulty Air Bag Killed Orlando Woman

Nov 19, 2014 06:00 PM EST | Matt Mercuro

An Orlando woman was killed from injuries to her neck and head caused by a car collision and an exploding air bag, according to a new autopsy report released this week.

Detectives found metal and plastic fragments scattered throughout the driver's side of Tien Tran's 2001 Honda Accord, along with fragments of loose metal still in the delated air bag.

The air bag was found bloodied with multiple tears in it, according to the report.

The crash took place when Tran was driving home in the rain from her family's Orlando nail salon. After emigrating two years ago from Vietnam, Tran usually avoided busy streets for side roads through neighborhoods when driving around Orange County.

The autopsy report confirmed that the 51-year-old was killed by the dangerous air bag as well as blunt force injuries as a result of the Sept. 29 crash, according to the Orlando Sentinel. She died on Oct. 2.

Her injuries included cuts through her jugular vein and major muscles on the right side of the neck, according to the Sentinel.

Tran's death caused the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to send out a warning to owners of Hondas and other affected vehicles about a recall involving almost 8 million vehicles with Takata air bags.

A number of automakers have recalled vehicles in North America over the last two years in order to repair air bag inflators made by Takata, a Japanese-based supplier of air bags, steering wheels, seat belts and other parts.

Tran's Accord was among the vehicles recalled.

Tran's family hired an Orlando attorney to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Honda and Takata, according to the Associated Press.

The U.S. agency is worried that the defect in the devices can possibly kill or hurt the driver or fellow occupants if they don't get the air bags repaired. The inflators can send metal fragments into the passenger compartment.

NHTSA also demanded that the auto industry recall additional vehicles equipped with faulty air bags this week.

The Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating the now controversial crash.

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