Automotive Forums  Where Car Enthusiasts Go to Discuss Cars Online

My beautiful 32-yr. old daughter was killed as a result of an automobile accident on October 31, 2006. She was rear-ended on Interstate-10 by a man driving a Ford F-150 pick-up truck. The vehicle she was driving, a 2004 Jeep Liberty, burst into flames upon impact and my daughter was burned to death. Since my daughter's death, I have learned that the fuel tank and filler neck on the Jeep Liberty (and Jeep Grand Cherokee) was designed and installed in a location (behind the rear bumper) that is susceptible to rupture or puncture in a rear-end collision. When gasoline escapes from a ruptured or punctured fuel tank, a high risk of fire and explosion exists. Chrysler knows full well about this problem, but apparently it is cheaper for them to settle out of court than to change the design of the vehicle. Because of this terrible tragedy and tremendous loss of such a beautiful life, I feel an obligation to warn everyone of the potential danger when driving these vehicles. The public has a right to know. I wish I had known. Just this weekend, it happened again....I read in the newspaper that a man was killed when his Jeep Cherokee burst into flames after being rear-ended on I-55. No one should burn to death in an accident where, had it not been for the fire, they would have lived. These vehicles should not be on the road. No matter how safe a driver you are, you never know whether or not the person behind you is paying attention to what he's doing.  

Thank you so much for making this noted.  The man you are talking about is (was) my father-in-law. We can not say anything yet because of it still being under investagation but you are right.  I am so sorry about your daughter.  I know it was very hard for us to say our good byes since we could not see him.  It was very hard for me when my little 6yr old boy asked why his paw paw was taken from him. All he said at the funeral was I wish I could see my paw paw one more time.  I trueley hope you got yourself a lawyer.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.  

You've very welcome and thank you for sending your condolences. I am also very sorry for your loss.  My daughter was married and her husband has hired an attorney who has represented others who were killed or severely burned in car fires.  As you can imagine, there is nothing...no amount of money....that can replace my daughter or your little boy's paw-paw.  It was a tragic, senseless death for both of our loved ones.  I hope that you and your family are finding the strength to cope with your loss and may God bless all of you.  

Hello.
I was looking on this site because I lost my nephew in March in Port Aransas.  His friend was killed too.  She was driving and they lost control and spun around.  They were rear ended and the liberty instantly exploded. Everyone has said they should have both lived.  I saw this site before a few weeks back but didn't reply because I didn't know what to say.  More than anything, it just made me very angry to know what's been going on.  

I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for your loss and could never have appreciated what you've gone through until now.  It's the worst thing that's ever happened to our family.  Shelton was only 19 and his friend was 17.  They robbed us of loved ones that we shouldn't have lost.  

Thank you for taking the time to write and share your tragic story.  I am so sorry for your loss.  I know what you mean when you say, "it's the worst thing that's ever happened to our family".  We say the same thing all the time.  Nothing's worse than losing a loved one, especially when they are young, vibrant and have so much life to live.  There's not a day that goes by that I don't yearn to have my daughter back and I, too, get angry when I think about the way she died.  It shouldn't have happened.  I'm glad you decided to reply to my message. The more people that become aware of the problem with the Jeep Liberty fuel tank location, the better the chances that DaimlerChrysler will do something about it.  Even if putting this out to the public can save one life, it will be one family that doesn't have to go through the pain and grief that we are experiencing right now. May God bless and care for you and your family.  

My nephew and his friend were in a collision this last weekend.  They were rear ended by a drunk driver in a Nissan altima.  Their jeep liberty flipped and burst into flames.  They were both killed.  I was shocked to see this site and find out that this has happened before.  Please send me any information or additional links you may have.  I am very sorry for your loss.  

It's obvious this is not an isolated incident with these vehicles.  I believe there are several law firms out there that are currently looking in to these cases.  These vehicles should be removed from the market or at least carry a warning concerning where the fuel tank is located along with the fact that they are susceptable to rupture.  

Here's a site you can check out.
http://www.riccilaw.com/CM/BreakingNews/BreakingNews114.asp.  There is also another firm in California handling a case for 2 victims burned in a Liberty as well.  

jkretschmar:
My nephew and his friend were in a collision this last weekend.  They were rear ended by a drunk driver in a Nissan altima.  Their jeep liberty flipped and burst into flames.  They were both killed.  I was shocked to see this site and find out that this has happened before.  Please send me any information or additional links you may have.  I am very sorry for your loss.

Sorry to hear about your loss.  Was wondering what state your nephew's accident occurred in.  I just heard about an accident where two young guys were rear ended by a drunk driver in California and the Liberty burst in to flames.  I think the more information victims families find regarding these vehicles the better! Hopefully something can be done to keep another family from such a tragedy.  

My daughter was in a small fender bender Sat in Orlando she was struck from behind and forced into the car in front of her. All four of the other cars involved were driveable except hers.  Her 2007 Liberty immediatly burst into flames, a few minutes after she got out with burns her car exploded. This could have been alot worse had she not been able to get out of her car,I think as all of the others on this forum that something should be done to correct this problem or get these vehicles all recalled and off the sales floor.  

Is that the same with the model year 2000 Grand Cherokee?  I have been rearended a few time, but nothing to do damage.  It makes me wonder if when hit hard enough, what will happen?  

My friend's mother was killed on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 when a tractor trailer rear-ended her and her Jeep Cherokee exploded and she burned to death.  This should have never happened that way.  Can anyone help me out with any information regarding any recalls on the gas tank or and service bulletins, tests or any thing, because she left 5 children behind with no father and they have nothing now.  Not even a place to live.  Jeep is going to pay for their mistake (among others - driver was illegal and had a illegal log book).  Please help me out.  Thank you in advance.  

Just read your message today.  So sorry about your friends mother.  I can not believe how many of these accidents have happened just since my friends daughter was killed.  We have been informed of several.  I had an investigator with a law firm in California contact me regarding an accident just like all of these others. Two teenagers died exactly the same way.  If all ban together maybe something can be done to save someone else from these death traps!  If you will post an email address I will forward you some information.  

It is really sad for you. You felt a responsibility to caution everyone of the probable hazard when driving these vehicles.
=========================

susan

california dui  

My Mother and Sister both burned alive in a rear end collsion of their Jeep Cherokee.  I would appriciate any information anyone has on lawsuits against Chrystler for these gas tank placement designs. Demtrek101@yahoo.com

Thank-you