Family of paralyzed driver sues Firestone, U-Haul

BAY CITY, Texas (April 1)—A trial is set to begin today in Matagorda County District Court, in which Bridgestone/Firestone and U-Haul International Inc. are accused of making unsafe products that caused a young woman's catastrophic injuries. Erin Brunner, now 22, was a passenger in a Ford Explorer towing a U-Haul trailer near Kent, Texas, in 1999. A Firestone tire on the Explorer blew, causing the vehicle to roll over and leaving Brunner quadriplegic and comatose. Brunner's family claims defective tires and an unstable trailer were to blame, and seeks $100 million in damages. A Bridgestone/Firestone spokeswoman said the trial judge ordered the plaintiffs and defendants not to discuss the case outside the courtroom.