Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
The four survivors of a deadly limo fire last May in California have joined with the families of the five women killed in suing six parties they allege are responsible for the blaze.
Neriza Fojas, 31, Jennifer Balon, 39, Anna Alcantara, 46, Michelle Estrera, 35, and Felomina Geronga, 43, were killed and Jasmin Deguia, 34, Mary Guardiano, 42, Nelia Arellano, 36, and Amalia Loyola, 48 survived the devastating fire that went unnoticed by the driver Orville Brown, 46, until it was too late.
According to investigators, the fire was caused by the failure of the vehicle’s suspension system, which in turn allowed the driveshaft come in contact with the floorboard leading to friction and heat that ignited the blaze. The limo was a 1999 Lincoln Town Car and was driving across the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge at the time of the fire.
Named as defendants in the suit are Ford Motor Company, Accubuilt Inc., Accubuilt Acquisition Holdings Inc., DaBryan Coach Builders Inc., Limo Stop Inc., and Bay Area Limousine Repair Inc.
Limo Stop, the company that owned the vehicle, was cited by the California Public Utilities Commission for allowing 9 passengers to ride in a vehicle that could only accommodate 7. It was fined $7,500.
The suit was filed last Thursday in San Mateo County Superior Court alleging negligence, product liability, and wrongful death.
