NHTSA Complaint #10276983 — 2000 FREIGHTLINER FLD

THE MIAMI OKLAHOMA FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A TRACTOR-TRAILER FIRE ON INTERSTATE 44. DURING THE SUPPRESSION ATTEMPT ONE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS FELL FROM THE BRIDGE AND SUFFERED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY WHICH HAS LEFT HIM PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED. THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN FIRE WAS A 2000 FREIGHTLINER FLD TT. AN INVESTIGATION ORDERED BY GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE CONCLUDED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM A FAILED PASSENGER SIDE STEERING AXLE WHEEL BEARING. SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH FOUND THIS VEHICLE WAS POTENTIALLY ONE OF INVESTIGATION BY ODI. THIS INCIDENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY FREIGHTLINER, ARVIN-MENTOR AND SKF BEARINGS. BASED ON THE INFORMATION DISPLAYED BY ODI THERE IS NO CONFIRMATION THIS INCIDENT WITH INJURY HAS BEEN REPORTED AND THE INFORMATION CANNOT BE ACCESSED ONLINE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS IN FACT SUBJECT TO RECALL. GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE HAS ALLEGED THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN SALVAGED AND NOT AVAILABLE FOR INVESTIGATION NOR IS THERE AN INDICATION THEY HAVE REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO NHTSA. *TR