Keith “Boski” Givens spent years getting Oakland crowds to grab the mic at Lounge 3411. Now, a coroner’s report says the 55-year-old karaoke jockey was killed when metal from a replacement airbag sliced into his head during a Hayward crash, turning a minor collision into a deadly incident and putting a harsh spotlight on replacement-airbag safety across the country.
Coroner's ruling
The Alameda County coroner concluded that Givens died from a “penetrating injury from exploding air bag debris,” according to Mercury News. Authorities say his vehicle hit a parked car on Main Street in Hayward on Sept. 25, and examiners later found a metal cap and other shrapnel that had pierced his skull.
Federal safety warning
Investigators traced the inflator technology in Givens’ airbag to Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co. (DTN), a Chinese supplier now under intense federal scrutiny. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued an urgent advisory warning that substandard DTN inflators have been linked to multiple ruptures that send metal fragments into the cabin and can fatally injure people inside the car. The agency is urging owners of used vehicles, including those with salvage or rebuilt titles, to have their airbag systems checked. NHTSA outlines the warning and inspection guidance.
Crash details and investigator account
Hayward investigators and the coroner’s report describe metal shrapnel from the airbag inflator ripping through the driver compartment during the otherwise routine crash. A police investigator compared the failure to the force of a bomb going off inside the car, according to Mercury News. The coroner’s findings note a metallic object embedded in Givens’ skull as evidence that the inflator broke apart and hurled fragments into the cabin when the airbag deployed.
Local reaction
Givens was a familiar face on karaoke nights in the Laurel District, especially at Lounge 3411, a neighborhood bar known for regular karaoke, live music, and DJs. After his death, patrons and friends held a memorial at the bar, and the community remembered him as a longtime fixture of Oakland nightlife. Lounge 3411 is listed among Laurel District venues that host karaoke and live DJs.
What vehicle owners should do
NHTSA is advising used-car owners and shoppers to verify a vehicle’s history and to have any car that has previously deployed its airbags inspected by a reputable mechanic or dealership. If a DTN inflator is found, the agency says drivers should not use the vehicle until the inflator is replaced with genuine parts. NHTSA also offers a Vehicle Safety Hotline and contact channels for people who suspect their car may contain a dangerous replacement inflator. NHTSA provides details on how to report concerns and the next steps.
