KINGWOOD — Arch Insurance is suing Shaffer Ford Sales alleging a vehicle was defective and caused damages.
Arch Insurance Company, as subrogee of Aurora Volunteer Fire Department, filed the lawsuit against Shaffer Ford Sales and Ford Motor Company after the fire department purchased a 2004 Ford F-Super Duty 550 and brought the vehicle in for repairs on March 15, 2019, according to a complaint filed in Preston Circuit Court.
Arch insured the vehicle for the department.
The vehicle was losing power, emitting black smoke and made a loud pop sound and Shaffer replaced the turbo, the charge air cooler, performed multiple filter changes and the lube and oil. Two weeks later, the vehicle was ready for pickup and once the department got the truck back to the station, it was emitting an unusual odor.
The insurance company claims members of the department discovered that there was oil on the turbo and dripping to the floor, so they went to return the vehicle to Shaffer, but within one-half mile of the department, the vehicle lost power and caught fire. The vehicle was deemed a total loss.
The insurance company is seeking compensatory damages. It is represented by Bradley K. Shafer and Michael G. Gallaway of Mintzer, Sarowitz, Zeris, Ledva & Meyers.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Stephen Shaffer.
Preston Circuit Court case number: 21-C-21