EWARDSVILLE — A Highland car dealership is being sued for allegedly concealing damage from a prior collision and then selling the vehicle.
Shawn Thorne and Katherine Thorne filed a complaint on Nov. 6 in Madison County Circuit Court against Tri Ford Inc., alleging violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act.
According to their complaint, the Thornes purchased a 2020 Ford Expedition from Tri Ford on September 25, 2021, for $68,672.05. They allege the vehicle had been involved in multiple significant collisions, including two that left the car disabled, the air bag deployed and resulted in the car being towed. The Thornes claim the collisions caused the vehicle's wires leading to the turbocharger to be exposed and damaged. They claim Tri Ford attempted to cover up the damage by trying to tape the wires before it was sold to them. The plaintiffs allege the Ford's fair market is less than $20,000 and that the defendant knew at the time of sale but concealed that the vehicle had been involved in collisions, had been repaired and repainted.
The Thornes seek monetary relief of more than $100,000, plus interest and all other just relief. They are represented by David Duree of David M. Duree & Associates PC in O'Fallon, Illinois.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2023LA001535