Brake failure is a serious occurrence in an automobile and leads to hundreds of car crashes each year. The most common cause of brake failure is owner neglect. Brakes must be inspected for wear and replaced regularly. Overheating due to overuse is another cause of brake failure. Leaking hydraulic fluid or leaking oil can cause contamination, which can make braking difficult. A sudden loss of hydraulic brake fluid pressure can also cause brakes to fail. Tapping the brakes several times can remedy this by forcing fluid through the braking system, but this should only be used occasionally.
WCTV reports on a vehicle that crashed into a mobile home in Gadsden County. The crash happened at about 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday near the Leon-Gadsden County line in Havana, Florida.
Witnesses said that a 44-year-old Havana woman driving a black truck and careened off Highway 27. She hit two utility poles before crossing a field and slamming into the mobile home. The collision set both the truck and the home ablaze. Authorities are still investigating the crash, but it appears that the driver did not hit the brakes. She was pulled from the vehicle by Good Samaritans.
Jerry Poppel, the homeowner, was on his way home from work when he received a phone call about the crash. The woman suffered from moderate injuries and was taken to the hospital.