Mason Co. man sues Ford after wife died in crash

POINT PLEASANT - A Mason County man is suing over claims his wife died as a result of a defective seatbelt and airbag.

Mason County resident Philip Stewart, representing the estate of LaDonna Stewart, filed a lawsuit on May 1 in the Circuit Court of Mason County against Ford Motor Co., citing wrongful death.

Stewart says his wife was wearing her seatbelt while driving the couple's 2000 Ford Explorer XLT, when her vehicle was struck from behind on May 3, 2011, on West Virginia Route 62.

The suit claims the seatbelt and airbag were defective, causing LaDonna Stewart to become suddenly unrestrained during the accident. She was ejected from the vehicle and killed, the brief states.

The estate is seeking an undetermined amount of relief, including more than $1.2 million in lost wages.

The plaintiff is being represented by Nitro attorney Harvey D. Peyton.

Circuit Court of Mason County Case No. 13-C-67.