2004 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS INVOLVED IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT, STRUCK BY A DODGE DURANGO. IMPACT WAS CENTERED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND RESULTED IN AN APPROXIMYATE 1 FOOT OF INTRUSION. MAX CRUSH OCCURRED JUST FORWARD OF THE B-PILLAR. B-PILLAR WAS PUSHED INTO THE SEAT AND THE LEADING EDGE OF THE DOOR WAS PUSHED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE HEAD/THORAX BAG LOCATED IN THE DRIVERS SEAT DID NOT DEPLOY. NHTSA SHOULD INSPECT THIS TO SEE WHY THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE TYPE OF IMPACT IN WHICH THE SIDE AIR BAGS WERE DESIGNED FOR. DRIVER SUSTAINED NUMEROUS FRACTURES TO THE PELVIC REGION, A LACERATED SPLEEN THAT RESULTED IN 2 SURGERIES AND ALMOST 2 MONTHS OF HOSPITALIZATION, MOST OF IT IN INTENSIVE CARE AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT.*AK