By Miles Moore, Washington reporter©
 
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (Aug. 9, 2001)—Jury selection was completed in one day for the case of Joel Rodriguez and his family against Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. Judge Filemon Vela of the U.S. district court in Brownsville said the trial will begin Aug. 13 and last two weeks.

Mr. Rodriguez, his wife, Marisa, and their two children were riding in their 1998 Ford Explorer in March 2000 when a Firestone tire on the vehicle separated. The Explorer rolled over, and all four Rodriguezes were injured. Marisa Rodriguez suffered permanent brain damage and is now wheelchair-bound.