— The Kayla White Jeep crash that took the life of the pregnant 23-year-old will soon be in the legal news as Kayla's family prepares to stand against Fiat Chrysler in court.
White and her unborn son died in a fiery Michigan crash of a 2003 Jeep Liberty that exploded into flames when it was struck from behind by a Cadillac. An autopsy determined Kayla White died of burns and smoke inhalation from the fire caused by the exploding gas tank.-
Fiat Chrysler has always maintained the Jeeps are safe and met all federal safety standards when the SUVs were manufactured. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked Chrysler to recall the Jeeps and the automaker finally comprised.
The so-called "fix" is to install a trailer hitch that will allegedly help protect the gas tank, at least in slow-speed rear impacts. The gas tanks are located in an exposed area behind the rear axle, and accident reports indicate the car that hit White's Jeep traveled under the rear bumper and hit the gas tank.
Kayla White's Jeep was under recall by Chrysler at the time of the crash, but the parts to repair the Jeep allegedly weren't available.
The Kayla White Jeep lawsuit will be similar to the case of Remington Walden, the 4-year-old who died in a Jeep fire when a vehicle rear-ended the Jeep. A jury awarded Remi's family $150 million but Chrysler filed a motion requesting a new trial. The judge refused Chrysler's motion for a new trial, but lowered the award to $40 million.
