Air bag-related fatalities are rare. We report the case of a 17-year-old girl-4 feet, 11 inches tall-who sustained a fatal basilar skull fracture when her vehicle's air bag deployed during a lowspeed motor vehicle accident. This case emphasizes the need for seat belt use in air bag-equipped vehicles. Further study is needed to clarify the increased risk to shorter individuals and to those who drive with the seat in the far-forward position.