Ford Faces Lawsuit After Mustang Dark Horse Demo Crash Injures Children
Two Families Sue After Children Injured in Mustang Dark Horse Demo Crash
- Two families are filing a lawsuit after their children were hurt by a Mustang during a demo.
- The lawsuit names Continental, Ford, a nonprofit organizer, and the test driver as defendants.
- The Mustang Dark Horse lost control, struck a barrier, and landed on its roof.
The parents of two school children who were injured during a visit to a car test track have filed a lawsuit this week, naming Ford as one of the defendants. Elijah Gibson and Lavell McGee, aged 8 and 10 at the time, were at an automotive test facility in Auburn Hills, MI, last summer when a Ford Mustang Dark Horse lost control and crashed into the guard rail where they were standing.
Both children suffered severe injuries as a result of the crash. Gibson sustained leg fractures, a deep cut on his foot, and a brain injury, while McGee suffered injuries to his legs and head. The lawsuit claims that both children continue to experience memory problems.
The trip was organized by the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) nonprofit and took place at a test track owned by Continental Automotive Systems. The Mustang was being driven by Linus Gugino, a test driver employed by Continental. Ford had loaned the Mustang to the company for testing purposes. While Ford’s involvement was minimal, all parties involved, including Ford, DAPCEP, Continental, and Gugino, are named as defendants in the lawsuit.
According to Jon Marko, one of the lawyers representing the families, there is evidence to suggest that the driver deliberately lost control of the car to make the show more exciting. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of all defendants.
Smartphone footage of the incident, although blurry and shaky, combined with an aerial photo of the crash site, indicates that the Mustang lost control in a slide, struck the guard rail, and flipped onto its roof. The families are seeking compensation for the injuries and damages caused by the crash.
