Father sues auto companies in son’s death

PINEVILLE – A Beckley man has sued Ford Motor Company and a local dealership, blaming them for the wrongful death of his son.

Danny S. Wellman, administrator for Jarred S. Wellman, filed a lawsuit Feb. 12 in Wyoming Circuit Court against Ford Motor Company and Ramey Automotive Group Inc. doing business as Ramey Ford Lincoln of Beckley, alleging negligence and other violations.

According to the complaint, Ramey sold a defective motor vehicle or an auto with defective parts to an auto shop which in turn sold it to Danny and/or Amanda Wellman. On March, 4, 2013, Jarred Wellman was driving the vehicle, a Ford Explorer, southbound on Interstate 77, the suit states, when the vehicle rolled over on the roadway several times after passing through a gravel area on the berm.

The suit states Jarred Wellman’s seatbelt disengaged, the roof was crushed and the driver’s window was shattered, ejecting Wellman onto the pavement and causing a fatal head injury. The lawsuit says the vehicle was not crash-worthy, the defendants should have known of its defects and are liable for damages caused by its design and manufacturing defects.

The plaintiff alleges breach of implied warranty,

Danny Wellman seeks compensation for: sorrow and anguish; loss of income and services; medical and funeral expenses; attorney fees; and costs. He is represented by attorneys Patrick McFarland of Parkersburg, Christopher Heavens of Charleston; and Jaime Jackson of Atlee Hall in Lancaster, Pa. The case has been assigned to Judge Warren McGraw.

Wyoming Circuit Court case number: 15-C-27