(AP) Survivors of a car crash that killed two
members of a California family when a Firestone tire blew out on a Ford Explorer
in Wyoming reached a settlement of a lawsuit against the companies Tuesday.
The family's lawyer, Laurie Quigly, said her clients agreed to a confidential
settlement. The pact was brought before a Superior Court judge late Tuesday
morning.
The settlement aborted what would have been the first California trial related
to the nationwide recall two years ago of Bridgestone/Firestone tires and Ford
Explorers equipped with those tires. Opening statements were scheduled this
week.
Ford spokeswoman Angela Coletti said the company agreed to the settlement but
would not comment further on the case.
"Our priority is always to do what is best for our customers and our
shareholders. We respect the right to privacy of the Meek family and will not
discuss details of the Meek settlement," she said.
Messages seeking comment were left with Firestone.
Garry Lynn Meek and his 13-year-old granddaughter, Amy Meek, were killed Aug.
16, 2000, near Big Piney, Wyo., after the tread of a Firestone tire separated on
the left rear tire of the Meeks' Ford Explorer, causing the vehicle to roll,
authorities said.
Garry Meek, a former police chief and school board president in Farmersville,
near Fresno, was killed in the accident. Amy Meek died at a hospital.
Meek's wife, Jeanette Meek, was driving and survived. Her son, daughter-in-law
and another granddaughter followed behind in another vehicle and witnessed the
accident.
The trial would have been California's first relating to the nationwide recall
two years ago of Bridgestone/Firestone tires and the rollover of Ford vehicles
equipped with those tires. In lawsuits filed elsewhere against Ford and
Firestone, the companies have settled before verdicts could be reached.
Representatives of Ford and Bridgestone/Firestone have said the companies
maintained that prior damage to the tire caused the accident. Ford has contended
the tire had three prior punctures, three improper repairs and a slice in the
side wall.
More than 250 people were killed and hundreds more injured in accidents
involving Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. tires. Most of the accidents involved Ford
Explorers and tires losing their tread.
In August 2000, the Nashville-based tire company recalled 6.5 million ATX, ATX
II and Wilderness AT tires, many sold as standard equipment on Explorers.
In November 2001, state attorneys general across the nation announced that
Bridgestone/Firestone would pay $41.5 million in a settlement to end state
lawsuits over the tires.
Bridgestone/Firestone has said Ford's recommended inflation rate was too low and
contributed to tire failures. Last year, the two companies ended a nearly
century-long relationship.
On Friday Ford appealed a Fresno state Court of Appeals decision to reinstate an
unrelated $290 million verdict handed down in a 1999 case involving the deaths
of three people riding in a Ford Bronco.