Slick tires are to blame, officers say

By Patrick Yost
Editor

Georgia State Patrol officers are blaming, in part, slick tires in a two-vehicle wreck that killed three people on Interstate 20.
According to GSP reports, Javier Esteban Balderas, 22, Godwin N.C.; Jesus Balderas, 16, Godwin, N.C.; and Yuliana Ivette Balderas, 20, Godwin, N.C., were all killed Saturday, February 28 after a 1999 Ford Explorer driven by Javier Balderas hydroplaned, struck a guardrail, struck a tractor-trailer truck and struck another guardrail in the 4 a.m. accident.
Reports state that the back two tires of the Explorer were “slick.” The accident occurred in a heavy rainstorm. Another passenger in the Explorer, Raul M. Juakez, 22, Godwin, N.C., suffered visible injuries, reports state, and was transported to Athens Regional Hospital by Greene County Emergency Management Services.
“Ninety percent of the time    when    a    vehicle hydroplanes their tires just don’t    meet    (approved wear) standards,” Sgt. Jim Foskey, Georgia State Patrol, Troop 8, said.
Foskey    said    heavy    rain also    contributes    to hydroplane accidents.
“They’ve got to slow down,” he said. “It’s a shame.”
Reports state that the Explorer was driving eastbound on Interstate 20 and passed a 2002 Kenworth tractor trailer driven by David Ralph Wiwi, 54, Old Town, Fla.
When the Explorer attempted to change back into the right lane it lost control and struck a guardrail. The vehicle then came back onto the road, struck the truck and struck the guardrail again.
The accident occurred approximately 2.4 miles from    the    intersection    of    Interstate    20    and   the Parks Mill Road overpass.
The fatal wreck was one of 13 total vehicle crashes that occurred during the rain and snow soaked weekend.
Foskey said eight vehicle crashes were recorded and worked by the Troop 8 on Sunday as heavy snow and ice covered Morgan County.

Published in the March  5, 2009 edition.