Firms Sued in SUV Rollover Deaths

The adult children of three married couples killed when their Ford Expedition rolled over on the way to Nevada last year sued the vehicle and tire manufacturers on Tuesday.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that Ford Motor Co. and Continental Tire North America Inc. failed “to institute a timely recall to replace the defective and dangerous tires,” which might have prevented the crash.

Yolanda Flores, 48, of Norwalk was driving the 2000 Ford Expedition north on Interstate 15 in San Bernardino County on May 18, 2002, when she had a blowout in one of the tires and the vehicle rolled violently, killing Flores and her five passengers, according to the suit.

It seeks unspecified damages for negligence, products liability, breach of warranties and the wrongful deaths of Flores and her husband, Ismael Galvan Flores, 50; Eva Rodriguez, 48, and Jose Rodriguez, 50 of Hinkley; and Maria Lucero, 68, and Antonio Lucero, 75, of Wilmington.

Ford and Continental officials could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.