Dad, son die in Volusia I-95 rollover crash

EDGEWATER, Fla. – A 63-year-old man and his 27-year-old son died in a rollover crash Thursday in Volusia County that authorities said was caused by a separated tire.

Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Kim Montes said in a news release that Michael Bradford and his son Warren Bradford, of St. Augustine, were in a Ford pickup truck on Interstate 95 on Thursday when the front left tire had a tread separation.

Troopers said tire separation is not uncommon during the summer when when tires are under inflated and the road adds heat and pressure, causing the tire to separate.  

"The rubber on the steel gets separated from the steel and the steel belt doesn't stay together the way the manufacturer made it. The rubber gets away from the steel, and that's how the tire gets separated," said Bobby Singh, owner of Tire City.

The report said Michael Bradford lost control of the vehicle, which ran off the road, struck a culvert and went airborne before overturning. Montes said the truck's roof hit a tree. Both men died at the scene. An investigation is continuing.

Troopers said that drivers can steer out of tire separation. First, don't panic. Second, take your foot off the gas and do not hit the brakes. Then, steer out and slowly come to a controlled stop.


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