Family Claims Wheel Broke Off Bronco, Causing Fatal Crash

The wife and children of deceased man Eric Carlsen claim that only two months after acquiring his pre-owned 1994 Ford Bronco, one of the tires broke off the vehicle as he was driving on a highway and he died of the ensuing personal injuries he suffered when the truck crashed.

Carlsen’s wife and children filed suit more than two years later against Kolander Corp., doing business as Calvin Ford, Jackie Baxter Tire Co., and Keating Motors. The trial began on April 7 in Texas’ Jefferson County District Court.

Calving Ford is the lone remaining defendants, as the others settled prior to trial, according to a court official.

According to court documents, on December 28, 2006, Carlsen was westbound when the vehicle’s left rear tire “suddenly and unexpectedly came off,” which caused him to lose control of the Bronco.

Automobilemag.com says the 1994 Bronco had been recalled in May 2001 because of faulty tires.

However, court papers say that before Carlsen purchased the Bronco, Calvin Ford accepted it as a trade in and hired Baxter Tire to install new tires. The Bronco was then transferred to Keating, where Carlsen purchased it on October 30, 2006.

The suit alleges negligence on the part of the defendants for failure to properly install the tires, and failure to properly inspect the Bronco.

The plaintiffs seek damages for Carlsen’s past and future loss of wages and mental anguish, in addition to loss of love damages.