Judges killed, severely injured in Ford Excursion rollover
Judge: Honor Anna Baca
Court: Superior Court for the State of Arizona
Cause No. CV-2006-010016
Maricopa County
Phoenix, Arizona
Date of Settlement: March 12, 2007
Frances Kiefer, Melissa Loughran, Charlotte Freebury and John L. Weihn vs. Ford Motor Company, et al
Plaintiff Counsel:
Watts Law Firm, LLP from Corpus Christi, TX, By: David T. Bright
Watts Law Firm, LLP from Corpus Christi, TX, By: Mikal C. Watts
Hebert Schenk, PC from Phoenix, AZ, By: Richard Gerry
Defendant Counsel:
Snell & Wilmer, LLP from Phoenix, AZ, By: Arron Nesbit
Plaintiff Information:
Judge Reginald Keifer / age 65 (Municipal Court Judge)
Judge John Wiehn / age 60 (Municipal Court Judge)
Type of case: Liability-Roof Crush-Partial Ejection case-Wrongful Death
Plaintiffs’ Allegations:
The driver of the 2002 Ford Excursion lost control, and it rolled over. The properly belted driver died from a combination of severe roof crush and partial ejection through the driver’s side window. The backseat passenger, Judge John Wiehn, was severely injured as a result of the failure of his restraint system to keep him securely in his seat.
Injuries/Damages: Death to Judge Kiefer/Injuries to Judge Wiehn
Plaintiff Auto/Damages: 2002 Ford Excursion; totaled
Plaintiff Experts:
Steve Irwin – Accident Reconstruction, Dallas, TX – did not testify
Dr. Joseph Burton – Biomechanics, Occupant Kinematics, Alpharetta, GA – did not testify
Amount asked of Jury: Confidential
Demand: Confidential
Offer: Confidential
Result: Confidential Settlement