Vehicle Fires
Huge Recall, but Many Cars Unfixed
April 13, 2008By CHERYL JENSENThe New York Times
AFTER six recalls to correct problems with millions of Ford Motor Company cruise-control switches blamed for almost 1,500 fires,the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took an unusual step. In February, it issued a consumer advisory urging owners whose vehicles had not yet been fixed to have the switches disconnected immediately.
Family of four dies in accident
By Joe Hadsall
The Joplin Globe
A Joplin family’s trip to Dallas ended in tragedy Sunday when the car was struck by a tractor-trailer and caught fire.
Killed in the crash were Robert Hayes, 52, his wife, Melissa, 41, and sons Tyler, 15, and Colby, 14.
Sgt. Brent Crittenden of the Pryor (Okla.) Police Department said witnesses reported that the Hayes vehicle stopped about 1:15 p.m. for a traffic light at U.S. Highway 69 and Southeast 49th Street.
Faulty switch prompts recall of 3.6M Fords
8/4/07
Automaker now has recalled 10.4M vehicles to fix cruise controls tied to potential fires.
Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News
Ford Motor Co. announced Friday that it is recalling another 3.6 million vehicles because of ongoing problems with a cruise control switch that has already sparked several fires and prompted five other recalls. All told, the company has now recalled some 10.4 million vehicles because of the defect, making it the largest recall for a single vehicle problem in U.S. history.
Man hurt in crash awarded $31.25M
News Tribune Online 06/12/07
By KEN SERRANO
STAFF WRITER
MIDDLESEX COUNTY A $31.25 million settlement has been reached in the case of a former Cook College student who was severely disfigured in a fiery crash when a tow truck rear-ended his car on Route 1 in Woodbridge in September 2001.
Richard Douglas Cannon, now 27, was driving from his home in Rahway to the college when his 1984 Ford Mustang broke down in the middle lane of Route 1 on Sept. 6, 2001, said Cannon’s attorney, Alfred Dimiero of Summit.
Texan’s Death Rekindles Ford Switch Issue
Family of retiree files suit blaming component linked with engine fires.
Ford expands recall.
David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau
March 6, 2007
WASHINGTON — Al Gavegan Sr.’s death in a house fire last summer left family
and friends in San Antonio searching for answers — and they say the
evidence leads straight to Ford Motor Co. and a faulty electrical switch.
The retired government contractor was well-known as the guy who operated the
time clock at high school football games and taught kids with special needs.
Fort Worth officer killed while helping motorist
By ALEX BRANCH
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
12/17/06
FORT WORTH — A 34-year-old Fort Worth police officer with two young daughters died early Sunday when his patrol car was rear-ended and burst into flames along Interstate 35W.
Officer Dwayne Freeto was pronounced dead at the scene. He had responded to a stranded motorist call on southbound I-35W at Morningside Drive around 3:45 a.m.
Ohio State Highway Patrol on 9/06 CVPI Fatal Fire Crash
Ohio State Highway Patrol
Media Release For Immediate Release: October 2, 2006
Contact: Lt. Tony Bradshaw or Sgt. Jon Payer (614) 752-2792
In-depth examination begins of vehicles involved in Gallia County triple-fatality crash
2 troopers, woman die in blazing crash
Mystery surrounds wreck of vehicles in Gallia County Friday, September 29, 2006Mary Beth Lane THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
GALLIPOLIS, Ohio – An ordinary workday morning ended in flames yesterday, leaving three families and the State Highway Patrol to grieve for lives lost along a rural Gallia County road.
NHTSA Investigation Closing Report
Click here for EA05-005 Closing Memo Ford Cruise Control Deactivation Switch Fires