AUTOPSY FINDS TEXAS MAN DIED AFTER MINOR CRASH WHEN AIR BAG INFLATOR COMPONENT LODGED IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS NECK NEAR HIS SHOULDER. TANAKA SENDS ITS CONDOLENCES TO THE VICTIM’S FAMILIES. THEY ARE IN SOME VERY DEEP TROUBLE.

AUTOPSY FINDS TEXAS MAN DIED AFTER MINOR CRASH WHEN AIR BAG INFLATOR COMPONENT LODGED IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS NECK NEAR HIS SHOULDER.  TANAKA SENDS ITS CONDOLENCES TO THE VICTIM’S FAMILIES.  THEY ARE IN SOME VERY DEEP TROUBLE.

February 10, 2015

HOUSTON, TEXAS:

An autopsy has found that a metal disc from a defective air bag sliced into a Texas man's neck and killed him after a low-speed car accident last month near Houston.

The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences concluded that Carlos Solis had suffered no other serious injuries, and his death was accidental. The report, which became public late last week, listed the cause of death as blunt-force injuries to the neck.

Solis, 35, a father of two, died Jan. 18 in the Houston suburb of Spring. His 2002 Honda Accord had a driver's air bag made by Takata Corp. of Japan. Those can inflate with too much force, causing them to blow apart a metal inflator canister and send shrapnel into the passenger compartment.

Solis is among six people killed and 64 injured by the inflator mechanisms, which have caused the recalls of 19 million vehicles worldwide and touched off investigations by the U.S. Justice Department and safety regulators.

Takata offered condolences to Solis' family and said it's committed to working with the U.S. government and automakers to “take all actions needed to promote public safety.'' Honda didn't immediately respond to a message left Monday, but previously offered condolences.

The white metal disc was 2 3/4 inches in diameter and weighed about 13 ounces, according to the report. It caused a gaping cut in Solis' neck that severed an artery and vein. “Appearance consisted of a slightly distorted air bag inflator component,'' the report stated. The disc lodged in the right side of Solis' neck near his shoulder, according to the report.

Pictures of the crash showed that it did little damage to the left front bumper, fender and hood of Solis' car.

Solis bought the car in April from an independent dealer in the Houston area. It was part of 2011 recall to fix a defective driver's air bag inflator, but neither the dealer nor two previous owners had the recall repairs done. Honda has said it mailed recall notification letters to a previous owner of the Accord starting in 2011, but it had not yet sent a letter to Solis. The company urged anyone with a vehicle recalled for air bag problems to take the cars to dealers as soon as possible.

Solis' family is suing Honda, Takata and the dealer who sold Solis the car.

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2^ND DRIVER KILLED IN HOUSTON CRASH IN HONDA WITH TAKATA AIR BAGS

January 30, 2015

Jan 29 (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co said on Thursday that a driver was killed last week in a Houston suburb in a 2002 Accord equipped with a Takata Corp air bag that may have ruptured.

The Harris County Sheriff is investigating the crash, which occurred Jan. 18 in Spring, Texas, north of Houston, and identified the driver as 35-year-old Carlos Solis. According to the county medical examiner's preliminary report, Solis died of "blunt force injuries to the neck."

The Japanese auto parts supplier is one of the world's largest manufacturers of air bags. Since 2008, defective Takata air bags have been linked to at least five deaths, dozens of injuries and the recall of more than 24 million cars worldwide.

The car driven by Solis was included in a 2011 safety recall, but the "recall repair was never completed," Honda said, adding it has not been able to examine the car or its components to determine whether the air bag inflator ruptured.

The automaker said it has informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the crash.

Asked for comment, Takata late Thursday said, "We are working in close collaboration with Honda to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the vehicle's status at the time of the incident. Takata's number one priority is the safety of the driving public."

Takata's handling of air bag defects and recalls is being investigated by NHTSA and the U.S. Department of Justice. The company also faces a number of civil lawsuits. (Reporting by Paul Lienert and Bernie Woodall; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli, Alan Crosby and Andrew Hay)