Florida couples sue Auffenberg over repairs to F-250

Two Florida couples claim an O'Fallon Ford dealership's faulty repair work caused a crash that left them permanently injured.

George H. Smith Jr, Courtney D. Smith, Deborah A. Rosendale and Allen C. Rosendale filed a negligence claim against Auffenberg Ford North Inc. on Oct. 6 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Smith says he took his Ford F-250 to Auffenberg Ford North in December 2008 with concerns about the pick-up truck's steering and front suspension. Smith says Auffenberg completed repairs on the vehicle and returned it to him.

In March 2009, Courtney Smith says she was driving the Ford F-250 on Interstate 10 near Baldwin, Fla. George Smith and the Rosendales were passengers in the truck.

According to the complaint, Smith was behind the wheel when the pick-up truck "abruptly swerved and crashed."

All four people in the Ford say they suffered permanently disabling and disfiguring injuries in the crash. They each say the injuries have kept them from working and prevented them from enjoying everyday life.

The Smiths and Rosendales contend Auffenberg Ford North was negligent for failing to properly replace, reconnect or tighten clamps on the adjuster sleeve of the F-250, for failing to conduct a proper safety inspection and for returning the pick-up truck to Smith when it was not safe to drive.

The Smiths and Rosendales are asking to be compensated more than $50,000 for pain and mental anguish, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, medical expenses and court costs.

Attorney George L. Shelvin, of Belleville, is representing both couples.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 10-L-525