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Mechanic killed after Jeep ‘lurched forward’ following oil change. Vehicle owner sued
The Charlotte Observer ^ | May 5, 2022 | Kaitlyn Alanis

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.

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“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.

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(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...


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KEYWORDS: chat; chatforum; hitthebreaks; jeep; keywordmorons; learntodrive; mechanic; sued; toughbrake
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To: Still Thinking

Good points. I agree with you.


81 posted on 05/05/2022 6:34:25 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (I pledge allegiance the flag of the U S of A, and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands.)
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To: roving
When I had a manual, I put it in neutral at lights

My manual was too thick to read, so I had no idea about how to put it in neutral. ;)


82 posted on 05/05/2022 7:09:56 PM PDT by adorno
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