First California Trial for Ford Explorer Roll-Over Stability Starts Tomorrow

    BARSTOW, Calif.--Oct. 31, 2001--Opening statements begin tomorrow in the first trial in California focused solely on the instability of the Ford Explorer.
    The defective product lawsuit suit against Ford, which will be heard in Barstow Superior Court by Judge John Vander Feer, (BCV 04208) involves an Orange County couple who suffered paralysis and severe injuries after their 1994 Explorer overturned on northbound I-15.
    The plaintiffs, Agop and Catherine Gozukara, are represented by Garo Mardirossian of Mardirossian & Associates in Los Angeles, and Charles B. O'Reilly, of Marina del Rey. During the trial, evidence will show how Ford's engineers told the company that they attributed the SUV's rollover problems to a high center of gravity, the vehicle's narrow width, and faulty suspension.
    In 1997, immediately after purchasing their used Explorer from the Joe Macpherson Ford dealership, the Gozukara's SUV vibrated. Despite many repair trips back to the dealership, the vehicle's vibrations continued. The suit also charges negligence to the dealer.
    Just three months after buying the car, the couple drove to Las Vegas, along with their young children and a relative, to celebrate their anniversary. Gozukara, 35, steered the car as he tried to avoid an encroaching truck. The Explorer deflected off a "K" wall and traveled over 100 feet before rolling over. He suffered severe leg injuries in the accident. His 32-year-old wife broke her back and is paralyzed for life, and lost her pregnancy due to the trauma of the accident.
    "In 1990, families were the prime target market for Ford's new Explorer. They knew 80% of its customers would never be driving off road and that lowering the SUV's center of gravity would significantly improve its safety. Ford placed profits first and ripped apart the lives of hundreds of innocent families like the Gozukaras," explained Joe Barrett, co-counsel for the plaintiffs.