EDWARDSVILLE -- A minor who allegedly suffered permanent burn injuries in a crash is suing the drivers involved as well as Mercedes Benz, alleging the fuel tank system was unable to withstand the impact and caught fire.
Lance Campbell, a minor, by and through his parent Teaira Edwards, filed a lawsuit on Nov. 29 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, Daimler AG, Bryan Dooling, as special representative for Tommy Thomas, deceased, and Sabrina Elliott.
According to the complaint, Thomas was driving a 1998 Mercedes C280 on July 20, 2017, with Campbell riding as a passenger. They were traveling at approximately 1:12 p.m. when their vehicle collided with a vehicle driven by Elliott. The vehicle the plaintiff was riding in allegedly left the roadway, struck the concrete base of a light pole, caught fire and became engulfed in flames. Campbell allegedly suffered severe burns.
Campbell claims he suffered permanent injuries, scarring, disfigurement, pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of future earning capacity, lost wages and loss of enjoyment of life.
Campbell alleges Thomas negligently failed to keep a careful lookout, failed to avoid a collision, failed to keep the vehicle on the roadway, drove too fast for the conditions, struck the light pole with the vehicle, and failed to exercise ordinary care under the circumstances.
The plaintiff claims Elliott negligently failed to keep a careful lookout, failed to avoid a collision with Thomas, failed to steer or swerve to avoid a collision, and failed to exercise ordinary care.
Campbell accuses Mercedes and Daimler of negligently designing the vehicle to prevent fuel system fires in reasonably foreseeable crashes, failing to shield the fuel tank, failing to locate the fuel tank in an optimal location, failing to choose materials strong enough to withstand the force level the tank could see in crashes, failing to make sure the fuel system would remain intact in crashes and failing to warn of the dangers.
The suit states that Thomas is deceased but does not specify if he died as a result of the collision.
Campbell seeks an amount in excess of $50,000 for each count, plus cost of suit. Campbell is represented by Melissa K. Donlon of Kuhlman & Lucas LLC in Kansas City, Mo.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 21-L-1431