Florida Woman Receives Settlement from Bridgestone/Firestone, Local Businesses

By Erik Ricasa

Published on July 22, 2005

Ronnie Stone, whose two sons were injured in the crash, also settled with two other companies her suit claimed were in a chain of responsibility for the accident, caused by tread separation on a Dayton Quadra SE tire made by Bridgestone/Firestone. Stone sued the dealership that sold the Ford Aerostar involved in the accident, and another dealership that modified it for operation by a handicapped driver, adding a wheelchair lift system. Also named were several businesses that sell Bridgestone/Firestone tires in her hometown of Inverness.

Stone's lawsuit accused Bridgestone/Firestone of making a defective tire and Ford of designing a van prone to rollovers.

Bridgestone/Firestone spokesperson Dan MacDonald said his company agreed to the settlement because continued litigation would have been costly. He said that, had the company pursued the case, it would have prevailed, because of the van's modifications. He claimed the vehicle was overloaded and improperly balanced, and that the company had received no other complaints about the design or performance of the tire model.

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