Couple sues Firestone
and Ford dealer over
July tire accident

---

By Debra Barayuga
dbarayuga@starbulletin.com

A Honolulu couple has filed suit in Circuit Court in what is believed to be the first case involving exploding Firestones here since the tire manufacturer began a massive recall last summer.

Michael Vitolo and Tammy Wilson were driving on the H-1 freeway past the airport going about 50 mph on July 31 when a left rear tire blew, resulting in both being injured.

The suit, filed yesterday, alleges Honolulu Ford was negligent for not replacing the tires after the couple received a recall notice indicating that the tires on their Ford Explorer were "dangerous and defective," said their attorney Michael Stern.

Honolulu Ford officials could not be reached for comment.

The couple leased a new Explorer equipped with P255/Firestone tires last November from Honolulu Ford. At the time, Vitolo expressed concerns about the tires to Honolulu Ford because of the extensive publicity regarding Firestone.

He was told the tires on his car were not the ones mentioned in media reports as problematic.

In May this year, the couple received a recall notice and immediately took in their Explorer to have the tires changed, Stern said.

"Honolulu Ford said they had to put them on a waiting list for two to three months."

The couple sustained injuries to the neck and lower body. Vitolo, who owns an auto detail shop, also aggravated an existing carpal tunnel problem in his hand.

Wilson, a legal secretary, struck her head on the back of her seat, has headaches and insomnia and continues to be traumatized, Stern said.

More than 200 deaths on the mainland have been linked to accidents involving Firestone tires on Explorers. About 6.5 million Firestone tires have been recalled.