Defective Design: Man Burns to Death in Defective Dodge
Livingston Parish, Louisiana: On or about December 7, 2008, David W. Kersey lost control of his 2005 Dodge Dakota 4X4 pickup and it struck a tree and caught fire, trapping David W. Kersey and causing him to burn to death in the vehicle.
Prior to the accident, the Dakota pickup suffered a flooding incident during Hurricane Katrina while located on the lot. As a result, the vehicle sustained water damage to the power train, computer, and/or electrical system.
Wigington Rumley Dunn & Blair filed a suit contending that Don Bohn and Daimler Chrysler Insurance Company knew or should have known of the extensive damage sustained by the Dodge Dakota, and allowed the vehicle to be sold or transferred to subsequent parties. Additionally, they contend that the Dodge Dakota was defective due to its fuel system and steering column assembly. Chrysler was negligent in designing, configuring, engineering, fabricating, assembling, building, manufacturing, producing, labeling, testing, marketing, promoting, advertising, importing, distributing, selling, installing, servicing, and/or repairing said vehicle. This case settled for a confidential sum.