CHARLESTON – A Mineral Wells woman has filed a wrongful death suit against an auto manufacturer over a fatal collision and vehicle fire.
Tracie Dilliner, as administratrix of the estate of Logan James Dilliner, filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia against General Motors LLC alleging strict liability, negligence and wrongful death.
The suit states that Logan Dilliner died on Aug. 30, 2017, in Parkersburg as the result of a post-collision, fuel-fed fire. The suit states the decedent was driving a 2004 GMC Sierra manufactured and distributed by the defendant when he rear-ended a tractor-trailer on Interstate 77 and the vehicle overturned before catching fire.
The plaintiff alleges the fuel tank straps in the GMC Sierra failed to restrain the fuel tank and allowed it to move, resulting in the immediate release of gasoline and a quick fire. The plaintiff alleges the vehicle was defective and the fuel system was not crashworthy.
The plaintiff is seeking all reasonable sums due, attorney fees and court costs. The plaintiff is represented by Christopher J. Heavens of Heavens Law Firm PLLC in Charleston.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia case number 2:19-CV-00415