NHTSA Complaint #742260 — 1997 FORD EXPEDITION

DUE TO ICY ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SLID OFF THE ROAD, IMPACTING THE PASSENGER SIDE AT A POINT BETWEEN THE FRONT FENDER AND FRONT DOOR. A FIRE STARTED IMMEDIATELY AT POINT OF IMPACT, UNDER THE HOOD. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE, ONLY TO NOTICE THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. SHE REACHED BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE FIRE SPREAD VERY RAPIDLY AND ENVELOPED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, DESTROYING IT COMPLETELY. IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THE VEHICLE'S INERTIA SWITCH SHOULD HAVE SHUT OFF THE FUEL SYSTEM, KILLING THE ENGINE. OBVIOUSLY THE INERTIA SWITCH DID NOT WORK BECAUSE THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER IMPACT. THE DRIVER WOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN BURNED TO DEATH HAD SHE BEEN RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS BY THE IMPACT, AS THERE WAS NO ONE PRESENT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN A WOODED SECTION OF STATE ROUTE 271, CAMBRIA COUNTY, PA.*AK