Florida traffic death could be 20th related to Takata airbag

Almost a decade ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated one of the most extensive recalls in automotive history. Takata, one of the largest airbag manufacturers in the world, acknowledged that one of its manufacturing locations had constructed airbags with a serious safety issue. Nearly 20 deaths and hundreds of injuries have been recorded due to the defective airbags, and now, another fatality could be added to the list.

Pensacola, Florida, authorities say that a man killed in a crash last month could be the 20th Takata airbag-related death in the United States. The man was driving a 2006 Ford Ranger when it was involved in a “minor traffic crash.” Instead of walking away from the scene, the man was killed when the truck’s airbag inflator exploded, sending metal shards and shrapnel toward the driver.