NHTSA Complaint #757073 — 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE - PLACED INTO "PARK" VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING, DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE, CLEARED THE DOOR, WALKED 10-15 FEET AWAY, VEHICLE PUT ITSELF INTO "REVERSE" AND TOOK OFF ACROSS POPULATED PARKING LOT WITH 3 YEAR OLD INFANT STRAPPED INTO SAFETY CARSEAT. THE DRIVER RAN TO CATCH UP TO THE JEEP TO STOP IT FROM KILLING SOMEONE, (OR DAUGHTER). THE DRIVER GRABBED THE INSIDE OF THE OPENED JEEP DOOR WITH LEFT HAND, AND STEERING WHEEL WITH RIGHT HAND TO GAIN ENTRY AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER LOST HER BALANCE AND FELL BACK OUT. THE DRIVER WAS CRUSHED WHEN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL PROCEEDED OVER HER RIGHT FOOT, ANKLE, UP HER LEG, KNEE, THIGH, PELVIS, ABDOMEN, CHEST, AND OFF HER RIGHT SHOULDER (MISSING HER NECK AND HEAD BY INCHES). THE JEEP PROCEEDED (WITH DAUGHTER) TO SLAM INTO A "HANDICAPPED SIGN" AND "PARKED DODGE INTREPID". THE AMBULANCE RUSHED THE DRIVER TO THE HOSPITAL AND TREATED HER FOR MULTIPLE INJURIES. THERE ARE TREAD MARKS ON THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING SHOWING THE EXACT PATH THAT THE 4000 LB. JEEP TOOK AS IT PROCEEDED OVER HER BODY. THE INFANT WAS EXAMINED AND FOUND TO BE ALL RIGHT (ONLY BECAUSE OF BEING IN A SAFETY CARSEAT). CHRYSLER HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THIS MANUFACTURERS' DEFECT! WE WILL NOT STOP UNTIL CHRYSLER DOES THE RIGHT THING. ALL MANUFACTURERS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE SAFE PRODUCTS AND RECALL DEFECTS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY INJURE THE GENERAL PUBLIC! ON THIS SITE, THERE ARE MORE THAN 200+ INSTANCES OF THE SAME TYPE FOR 1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES ALONE. THE L.A. TIMES HAS AN ARTICLE (PUBLISHED ON 12/23/01, PAGE A35) THAT EXPLAINS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION AND CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT IN PROGRESS. WE (AS CONSUMERS) NEED TO BACK ONE ANOTHER UP AS CHRYSLER DOES NOT HAVE OUR BEST INTEREST AT HEART!! IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO YOU OR ONE OF YOUR LOVED ONES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL US AT 614.834.0444. DO NOT DISREGARD THIS MESSAGE AS I HAVE OWNED 6 NEW JEEPS. NEVER AGAIN. *AK