NHTSA Complaint #10990800 — 2013 DODGE DURANGO

DRIVER AND PASSENGER STOPPED AT REST AREA ON INTERSTATE I-75. WHEN RETURNING TO VEHICLE, DRIVER AND PASSENGER CONNECTED SEATBELTS. DRIVER CHECKED SURROUNDINGS FOR CLEARANCE BEFORE PUTTING DURANGO IN REVERSE, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE TO SLOWLY EXIT PARKING SPACE. WHILE IN REVERSE TURN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH SPEED. A CHEVY CRUZE PARKED BEHIND WAS STUCK(REAR TRUNK AREA). DRIVER, REALIZING VEHICLE WAS NOT STOPPING LOOKED INTO REAR VIEW MIRROR TO SEARCH FOR OPEN, SAFE AREA. DRIVER AIMED FOR EMPTY SPACE BETWEEN CRUZE AND A CHEVY EQUINOX. DURANGO HOPPED CURB, BOUNCING DOWN ON FRONT END OF EQUINOX, DAMAGING AND TEARING OFF FRONT BUMPER. AT SOME POINT DRIVER PUT BOTH FEET FIRMLY ON BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE CONTINUED ONTO GRASS, DIGGING INTO GRASSY AREA, FINALLY STOPPING BEFORE COLLIDING INTO TREES WHICH WERE BEHIND. IN ADDITION TO DAMAGE TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES, THE DURANGO SUSTAINED REAR END DAMAGE.. LEFT REAR TIRE WAS ON THE GROUND SIDEWAYS WITH TIRE DETACHED FROM RIM. STILL NOT SURE IF DURANGO FINALLY RESPONDED TO BRAKES OR IF TIRE SNAPPING OFF SUSPENSION IS WHAT FINALLY STOPPED VEHICLE. THIS ALL OCCURRED WITHIN SECONDS. STATE POLICE WERE SUMMONED, REPORT TAKEN. DURANGO REMOVED FROM SCENE VIA FLAT BED TOW TRUCK. DAMAGE ESTIMATES AND POLICE REPORT ARE PENDING AT THIS TIME.