Katherine Berman, Wife Of ESPN Personality Chris Berman, Died From Blunt Trauma, Drowning
VIDEO ON LINK:
http://www.courant.com/breaking-news/93273538-132.html
Dave Altimari
Katherine Berman died from injuries she suffered after her car struck the back end of another vehicle in Middlebury in May, the state medical examiner has determined.
Dr. James Gill, the chief state medical examiner, ruled Berman's death was an accident and said she died from blunt trauma and drowning. He declined to release toxicology results.
Berman crashed into a car operated by Edward Bertulis, 87, of Waterbury, who later died at a hospital. She was the wife of ESPN personality Chris Berman.
State police are still investigating the May 9 crash. Katherine Berman, of Cheshire, was coming from lunch at the Good News Cafe in Woodbury prior to the crash on Sherman Hill Road, about a mile and a half from Quassy Amusement Park.
The 2003 Lexus SC 430 driven by Berman hit the rear of the 2003 Ford Escape driven by Bertulis, veered off the road and down an embankment and overturned in a small body of water, state police have said.
The Ford struck a utility pole and flipped, landing on its roof. Berman had a seat belt on and was found in her vehicle. Bertulis wasn't wearing a seat belt and was partially thrown from his car, state police said.
Bertulis had just left a cemetery where he was visiting his wife's grave. His family members said his daily routine included a visit to her gravestone since her death in 2015.
2003 Lexus LS430 Technical Service Bulletins
======================================
Safercar.gov (NHTSA) Vehicle Complaints
(as of: 19 Jul 2017)
Service Brakes Hydraulic (4)
Steering (3)
Vehicle Speed Control (1)
======================================
July 11, 2013 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10523406
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NHTSA ID Number: 10523406
Incident Date July 1, 2013
Consumer Location MEMPHIS, TN
Vehicle Identification Number N/A
Summary of Complaint
CRASH Yes
FIRE No
INJURIES 1
DEATHS 0
2003 LEXUS SC430. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO
VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD
THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT OF A
PARKING SPACE, SHE THEN PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, IT
THEN ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED. FINALLY AFTER HITTING
A POLE, IT JUMPED THE CURB AND ENDED ON A BUSY STREET.
THE DEALERSHIP SENT SOMEONE OUT TO EXPECT THE
VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS PROVIDED A DISC THAT
SHOWED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED, BUT
THEY WOULD NOT SAY THE TRUE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM,
WHICH MAY HAVE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WHEEL
LOCKING AND THE BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING.
1 Associated Product
2 Associated Documents
======================================
April 20, 2010 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10326605
Components: STEERING, SUSPENSION
NHTSA ID Number: 10326605
Incident Date April 3, 2010
Consumer Location LA CRESCENTA, CA
Vehicle Identification Number JTHFN48Y930****
Summary of Complaint
CRASH Yes
FIRE No
INJURIES 0
DEATHS 0
I AM FORMALLY FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST A VEH 2003 LEXUS SC430. I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE
THAT THIS VEH HAS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DATED APRIL 3, 2010 AT ABOUT 2AM. AFTER THE COLLISION,
I NOTICED THAT THE LEFT TIRE WAS OUT AT THE LEFT BOTTOM AREA OF THE CAR. I WAS TURNING ON
A PARKING LOT (180 DEGS) TRAVELING ABOUT 25-30 MPH, THE WHEEL LOCKED AND THE BRAKES WERE
NOT FUNCTIONING. IT ACCELERATED INTO PARKED VEHICLES IN FRONT AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I TOOK PICS OF THE VEHICLE AT AN IMPOUND AND I NOTICED THAT THE LEFT
WHEEL STEERING ARM AND LOWER SUSPENSION WAS CUT OFF FROM ITS STEM. THE KNUCKLE STEERING
WAS PULLED OFF FROM THE TIE ROD. THE LF WHEEL WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL SHROUD AND
BRAKES AND THE LUG NUTS WERE INTACT BUT IT WAS OUT UNDER THE VEHICLE. IMPACT WAS AT THE
RIGHT FT AND RIGHT FENDER BUT THE LEFT WHEEL WAS CUT OFF AT THE STEM OF THE SUSPENSION
ARM AND STEERING ARM. I LOOKED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT, I NOTICED EXCAVATED MARKINGS
BEFORE THE IMPACT PROVING THAT METAL WAS SCRAPING ON THE ASPHALT ROAD BEFORE THE
IMPACT. THERE WERE SIGNS OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE ABOUT 15-20 FEET BEFORE IMPACT. I HAVE PIC
AND VIDEO TO PROVE SUCH CLAIM (SUCH AS NO SIGNS OF DENT INSIDE THE INNER HOUSING OF THE
LFT WHEEL, BRACKETS WERE INTACT, SUSPENSION WERE INTACT, BRAKE SHROUD WERE INTACT,
LOWER SUSPENSION AND STEERING ARM WAS CUT OFF AT THE STEM). I CALLED YOUR OFFICE ON
APRIL 9 NO VERBALLY REPORT THIS COMPLAINT, BUT YOUR OFFICE REFERRED ME TO LEXUS. LEXUS HAS
BEEN INFORMED AT 1-800-255-3987 (OPTION 4 COMPLAINT # PETER REONISTO) AND THEY HAVE
AGREED TO BRING THE CAR FROM THE IMPOUND INTO THEIR VAN NUYS DEALER OFFICE. THEY HAVE
PROMISED TO DO SO ON APRIL 14, 2010 BUT HAVE NOT YET ACTED ON THIS COMPLAINED. I REFERRED
THIS INCIDENT WITH SAFETY RESEARCH AND STRATEGIES TOGETHER WITH PIC AND THEY HAVE ADVISED
THAT NHTSA SHOULD BE PRIMARY IN THE INVESTIGATION. I FEEL THAT THERE IS VALID INVESTIGATION
DONE [XXX].
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
1 Associated Product
---------------------------------------------------------
July 6, 2006 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10162624
Components: STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NHTSA ID Number: 10162624
Incident Date July 1, 2006
Consumer Location SEATTLE, WA
Vehicle Identification Number JTHFN48Y330****
Summary of Complaint
CRASH No
FIRE No
INJURIES 0
DEATHS 0
THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH 2003 LEXUS SC430. *KB
***NAR***
WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE PULLED
TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS
WITH EITHER THE BRAKES OR STEERING. THE DEALER
SUGGESTED REPLACING THE TIRES BUT OFFERED NO
INFORMATION ON WHERE TO PURCHASE THEM.
1 Associated Product
1 Associated Document
---------------------------------------------------------
August 15, 2002 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 8016454
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING
NHTSA ID Number: 8016454
Incident Date August 8, 2002
Consumer Location DETROIT, MI
Vehicle Identification Number N/A
Summary of Complaint
CRASH No
FIRE No
INJURIES 0
DEATHS 0
WHILE DRIVING 45MPH CAR CUT OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*AK
1 Associated Product
======================================
July 6, 2006 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10162624
Components: STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NHTSA ID Number: 10162624
Incident Date July 1, 2006
Consumer Location SEATTLE, WA
Vehicle Identification Number JTHFN48Y330****
Summary of Complaint
CRASH No
FIRE No
INJURIES 0
DEATHS 0
THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH 2003 LEXUS SC430. *KB
***NAR***
WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE PULLED
TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS
WITH EITHER THE BRAKES OR STEERING. THE DEALER
SUGGESTED REPLACING THE TIRES BUT OFFERED NO
INFORMATION ON WHERE TO PURCHASE THEM.
1 Associated Product
1 Associated Document
---------------------------------------------------------
January 16, 2004 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10049995
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
NHTSA ID Number: 10049995
Incident Date
Consumer Location LAS VEGAS, NV
Vehicle Identification Number JTHFN48Y830****
Summary of Complaint
CRASH No
FIRE No
INJURIES 0
DEATHS 0
WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT STEERING WHEEL
JERKS HARD TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN BRAKING,
OCCASIONALLY CHANGING TO ANOTHER LANE. THE DEALER
WAS CONTACTED. *AK *SC
1 Associated Product
2 Associated Documents
---------------------------------------------------------
January 15, 2004 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10070188
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SUSPENSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NHTSA ID Number: 10070188
Incident Date April 15, 2003
Consumer Location SHERMAN OAKS, CA
Vehicle Identification Number 12345678912****
Summary of Complaint
CRASH No
FIRE No
INJURIES 0
DEATHS 0
THE CAR FAILED TO START SIX TIMES IN THE FIRST FIVE
MONTHS. IT SEEMS THEY HAVE FOUND THE CAUSE OF THAT
PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE CAR CONTINUES TO MAKE CLUNKING
NOISE WHENEVER IT GOES OVER A BUMP. LEXUS TELLS ME
THAT IS NORMAL. I SAY IT SOUNDS LIKE A 1973 DODGE I OWNED
30 YEARS AGO. THE CAR ALSO PULLS TO THE RIGHT AT LOW
SPEEDS. AGAIN I'M TOLD THIS IS NORMAL AND IS A RESULT OF
THE RUN FLAT TIRES. IF SO, THEY SHOULD USE OTHER TIRES.
PARKING BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON
INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THIS CAR BE
REPLACED REPEATEDLY. LEXUS HAS REFUSED.
1 Associated Product
---------------------------------------------------------
December 3, 2003 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10049111
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NHTSA ID Number: 10049111
Incident Date April 10, 2003
Consumer Location LAS VEGAS, NV
Vehicle Identification Number JTHFN48Y830****
Summary of Complaint
CRASH No
FIRE No
INJURIES 0
DEATHS 0
THE CAR VEERS VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT
WHEN BRAKING ON A ROAD THAT IS NOT COMPLETELY
SMOOTH. DEPENDING UPON THE UNEVENNESS IN THE ROAD,
THE CAR WILL JERK THE STEERING WHEEL VIOLENTLY EITHER
WAY. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR ACTUALLY CHANGE LANES WHEN
BRAKING. LEXUS SAYS THAT THIS IS NORMAL ACTION FOR THIS
CAR. IF SO, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN DANGER WHO ARE
DRIVING THIS MODEL CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE
CAR WAS NEW. IT NOW HAS ABOUT 3300 MILES ON IT. *NLM
1 Associated Product
======================================
