Calif. judge sets April 24 as hearing date on Steeltex class action

INDIO, Calif. (March 21)—A judge in the Indio Superior Court has set April 24 for a hearing on Bridgestone/Firestone's motion to dismiss a class action suit seeking the recall of 27.5 million Firestone Steeltex tires. Joseph L. Lisoni, the lead attorney in the class action, claims to have documented more than 10,000 vehicle accidents attributable to defects in Steeltex tires. Lisoni and Bridgestone/Firestone gave different versions of the March 20 hearing at which Judge Christopher Sheldon presided. Lisoni said Sheldon ruled the case must proceed to trial on issues of strict liability and negligence, and the April 24 hearing is to decide whether to dismiss charges of concealment and violation of two California statutes. A Bridgestone/Firestone spokeswoman, however, said Sheldon would decide whether to dismiss the entire case April 24. Lisoni, meanwhile, petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in November to reopen a defect investigation of Steeltex tires. The agency wrote Lisoni March 11, telling him it was still reviewing the information he had provided.