Missing in FARS

Federal court denies Chrysler appeal in death of port longshoreman. By Kristopher Hanson, Staff writer
Long Beach Press Telegram07/06/2007LOS ANGELES – A federal judge has upheld a $55 million verdict awarded to the family of a San Pedro longshoreman killed when an apparently defective Dodge pickup hit him at a shipping terminal three years ago.

Richard Mraz was working at the American Presidents Line (APL) facility on Terminal Island when the 1994 Dodge Dakota reversed into him after he had exited it, knocking him to the ground and resulting in a fatal head injury.

By William Neuman NY Times July 5, 2007

A woman and two small children died yesterday after their minivan rolled down a hill in a park in Bridgeport, Conn., and into a pond, where the vehicle sank, the authorities said. A third child who was in the van was in critical condition at a New Haven hospital last night.

The accident took place about 10:30 a.m. at Beardsley Park, a popular spot for Fourth of July picnics.

5/1/2007
By: Evan Axelbank
News 10 Syracuse

With the news that two seniors had died, Joshua Davis and Kevin Goich Jr’s friends came in groups to lay flowers. Some sat alone to think about the two buddies who are remembered as nice guys and friends to everyone.

"Everyone knew Josh and Kevin. Everyone knew them, every part of the community was affected," said Kevin Thom, a Fayetteville-Manlius student.

By Thomas Geyer

A vehicle fire in the parking lot of a Rock Island Kmart store Thursday afternoon claimed the life of a child, authorities said.

Rock Island police Capt. Scott Harris said that the fire was reported in an SUV at 1:58 p.m. at the Kmart store located at 3840 46th Ave.

"There was a report that possibly somebody was trapped inside," he said. "The fire department extinguished the fire quickly, but unfortunately, a child died as a result of the fire."

Police said the vehicle was a Ford Explorer.

By PAUL WENSKE

Kansas City Star, 12-11-05

Some safety experts are increasingly concerned that many vehicle fires are going unreported to government agencies.

AAA in October drew attention to the danger of car fires by reporting that 520 persons died in highway vehicle fires in 2004 – more than the number who died in apartment fires. The automobile association said there were more than 266,500 vehicle fires, resulting in 1,300 injuries and nearly $1 billion in property damage.

By Marilyn Tennissen -The News staff writer

BEAUMONT – A family outing on a hot summer day two years ago ended in tragedy for a Port Neches family when 3-year-old Cade Wright was killed in the parking lot of a crowded sno-cone stand.

The family is now in the midst of a lawsuit against Ford Motor Company, claiming that the toddler’s death could have been prevented if the 2001 Ford Expedition that backed over him had been equipped with ultrasonic rear sensors.