That’s the only explanation — or at least charitable explanation — for the idea that a family would sue Ford and Firestone for wrongful death. Not, as you might think, because a Firestone tire blew out and led to an auto accident that killed someone. No, the family was suing Firestone and Ford because their daughter got a flat, and then was killed by the man who gave her a ride.
Prosecutors said Richard Cook, 36, of Omaha picked up Stahlecker and later shot her. Cook was convicted of first-degree murder, and is serving a life sentence. He remains the only defendant in the wrongful death lawsuit.
The woman’s parents, Susan and Dale Stahlecker of Fremont, claimed in the suit that a Firestone Wilderness AT tire on their daughter’s 1997 Ford Explorer failed, setting off the chain of events that resulted in her death.
The lawsuit claimed Firestone was negligent in making the defective tire and Ford was negligent in putting it on one of its vehicles. The high court said the companies could not have foreseen Cook’s criminal acts.
To say the least.
What’s even more, um, tragic is that the current ruling was from the Nebraska Supreme Court, upholding a lower court ruling. Which means that not only did the parents sue, but they appealed.
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone/Firestone has recalled millions of ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires since August 2000 after federal safety officials found they were prone to losing their tread while traveling at high speeds.
At least 271 U.S. traffic deaths have been linked to the failed tires, most of which were sold with the Ford Explorer.
The Stahlecker’s lawyer, Richard Rensch, said Amy might not have ventured out in the early morning had she known the tires were prone to blowing up.
I suspect she would not have. Of course, then she would have been at home when a meteor crashed into it, meaning Ford and Firestone would still have been on the hook …
(via Ipse Dixit)