The Florida Highway Patrol says its not ready to blame an Orange County woman's air bag as her cause of death.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a warning Monday, saying air bags made by Takata Corp. can rupture, causing metal fragments to fly into the chests of drivers and their passengers.

Troopers said the Sheriff's Office reports indicating Hien Tran's death was not a homicide is only the beginning of a long process to determine what actually killed the 51-year-old.

Tran was involved in a crash in late September at Chickasaw Trail and Valencia College Lane. Her air bag deployed and may have sent pieces of metal into her neck. She died two days later.

But troopers said there are more facts, beyond the obvious, to consider in this case.

"We can't just say because there was a recall in this crash that that is exactly what happened," FHP Sgt. Kim Montes said.

Montes said the fact this crash raised awareness across the country may save other lives.

However, she said they are still investigating the cause, which may show the air bag did not kill Tran.

"All manufacturers recommend that you sit about 10 inches away from the steering wheel due to the air bags," Montes said. "We believe her seat was closer than those 10 inches. We have to look at that. We have to look at how the air bag deployed. We will bring in an air bag expert to look at the air bag before we make a final determination."

Troopers said there was an area of Tran's air bag that did have a tear consistent with an object puncturing it. But they haven't found extensive damage to the air bag that would be consistent with any type of explosion.

"We want to compare notes with other investigating agencies who have had this already happened," Montes said. "We'll look at the injuries that she sustained, the air bag and how it deployed and that way we have something to look at."

Troopers are stressing the importance of those recall notices.

Montes said not to wait if you discover your vehicle is under the nationwide airbag recall. It could save your life.