Posted on 05/05/2022 1:32:59 PM PDT by gitmo
A Jeep Wrangler with a manual transmission was taken to a Michigan car dealership for an oil change and tire rotation, but after the work was complete, court records say the vehicle “lurched forward” as a lube technician tried operating it. Jeep Wrangler with a manual transmission was taken to a Michigan car dealership for an oil change and tire rotation, but after the work was complete, court records say the vehicle “lurched forward” as a lube technician tried operating it.
The red 2019 Wrangler then crushed mechanic Jeffrey Hawkins against a cabinet on March 13, 2020, records say. He was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries at 42 years old.
The owner of the Jeep is being sued in a Michigan circuit court along with the 19-year-old technician accused of operating the vehicle when it crushed Hawkins. The lawsuit filed in March 2021 says vehicle owner Sergio Enrique Diaz-Navarro is “vicariously liable for the negligent acts” of technician Daniel Aleczander Thompson when his use of the vehicle led to the death of a certified mechanic.
SNIP
“Thompson reached into the vehicle and pressed brake with his right foot, keeping his other foot on the floor,” the plaintiff summary says. “He pressed the start button. When the vehicle did not start, he took his foot off the brake and depressed the clutch pedal. He again hit the start button. This time the Jeep started. He removed his foot from the clutch, still standing outside the vehicle. The vehicle lurched forward.”
At about 8:11 a.m., court records say Hawkins was in front of the Jeep and on his knees to grab something from a metal cabinet. As he had his back turned from the Jeep, he was crushed against the cabinet.
SNIP
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Yeah, it’s pretty ridiculous. I was driving my dad’s stick pickup at about nine.
Manual transmissions are far too complicated for most gen x and millenials to operate let alone the current snowflake generation whatever its called. That extra pedal on the floor is just too confusing. Manuals are a good defense against car jacking by urban youts. Most of us old time gear shifting men and women are dying out but one would think that someone working at a garage would know how to run a stick. If they try to blame this on the car owner, it will be laughed out of court.
Exhibit A on not knowing how to operate a manual transmission
I don’t believe so either, from a legal perspective, but it does go to his liability and that of the shop for employing him in a job where he had to drive. Also, the shop’s liability insurance may exclude him from coverage while driving if he doesn’t have a license.
start buttonAnother reason why I won't buy a car built after 2015...
As a general rule, pushing the clutch in disengages the engine from the transmission.
If the vehicle lurches when the clutch is fully disengaged then the mfg. is at fault.
That is how I read it too! Most kids have no idea how to drive a standard. It takes a bit of practice. My 20 year old daughter can. I showed her how. Son cant, didnt seem interested. Strange.
Guy starts a car and then, with it in gear he take foot off clutch and it lurches ahead suddenly. I mean, it's textbook "operator error". But the owner has money I guess so somehow it's his fault.
The owner was negligent for owning an attack jeep.
He removed his foot from the clutch, still standing outside the vehicle. The vehicle lurched forward.”
That happens when you start a manual in first gear.
I read that the owner is against getting involved in Ukraine.
You put the keys ASWD in front of them and they will not need a steering wheel... Make the shifter a mouse scroll button with scroll click to engage the clutch.
You would be surprised. Millennials are dumb but they are not stupid. Dumb because of the schools they have been through, but they are as capable of thought as you and I.
Manual transmissions are simple, and even most of the stupid can operate them.
Remember the gearheads of old? Today they build computers. Same people, different era. Overclocking your system to 6 ghz without burning down your house is equal to running a 7 second quarter.
Just double checked...with the door open standing next to the vehicle its a no go on cranking at all....again mines a automatic.
When I was a state copper working in Cook County I was in Chicago in the Greektown restaurant area when my partner and I monitored a Chicago Police Dept flash message about a car jacking that had just occurred in the area within the last few minutes.
Just moments after we made note of it, we heard cars honking at a late model import that was moving slowly in the left lane, jerking and stopping as other cars swerved around it. Since it matched the description of the suspect vehicle, we made a felony stop, detained three suspects who had two pistols in the car, and notified CPD Tactical officers to meet us at the scene.
These suspects were subsequently identified as the offenders in the car jacking, and the reason for the erratic driving that had captured our attention was the fact that the ringleader driver couldn’t operate the 5 speed manual transmission in it very well. One of his accomplices was an 18 wheel truck driver who was entirely capable of driving it, but the boss said that he had always wanted to drive a stick shift and this would be his first chance, so he ordered his buddy to stand down and took the wheel himself.
We wouldn’t catch so many of these clowns if so many weren’t so damn stupid.
As a result of this experience, my 2010 Hummer H3 has a 5 speed manual trans. The transmission also helps me to get the most performance from a relatively heavy vehicle with a relatively small engine. (3.7L 250 hp, but moving 4800 lbs).
Some vehicles require stepping on the brake pedal before car will start.
When I had a manual, I put it in neutral at lights
The vehicle operated as designed.
The Detroit paper’s website had a pic of the smashed tool cart. Looks like the mech lowered the car on the lift, then lifted the hood up and was pouring in oil. Pinned him between the Jeep and the tool cart which was up against a wall.
I’d believe it.
Kids on farms get introduced to chores and duties early.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.