A Southern California dealer was hit with an $18 million judgment last week, with the jury finding in favor of an 11-year-old boy killed in a crash attributed to a previously recalled Firestone tire.
American Tire Depot was found negligent for installing the 12-year-old tire – the vehicle’s spare tire – on the Ford Explorer involved in the accident.
The May 2006 accident happened on a freeway near Riverside, Calif., when the tire allegedly suffered a tread separation.
The family claimed they took the Explorer to the dealer for two new tires, but the American Tire Depot location sold them one tire and installed the spare on the other wheel position.
According to the family’s attorney, “In January 2006, Ramon Moreno Sr. brought the family's 1994 Ford Explorer to American Tire Depot to replace two rear tires. ATD, a Firestone dealer, advised Mr. Moreno to rotate the spare, a recalled Firestone Radial ATX, onto the vehicle and sold him one new tire. The Moreno family, who purchased the Explorer used in 2005, was unaware that the Firestone spare was 12 years old and part of the massive 2000 Firestone recall.”
During the trial, an ABC New report said, “the jury was presented with evidence showing that both Ford and Firestone have issued bulletins on aged tires. In 2005, Bridgestone Americas sent out a technical bulletin to its dealers that said, ‘It is recommended that all tires (including spare tires) that were manufactured more than ten (10) years previous be replaced with new tires.’”
Also in 2005, “Ford Motor Co. issued an advisory about aged tires, stating, ‘Tires degrade over time, even when they are not being used.’ Ford recommended replacing tires ‘after 6 years of normal service.’”
The jury found the tire dealer was 85% liable for the boy’s death. The Moreno family had previously settled their case against Bridgestone Americas.