A New Mexico jury delivered a crushing $220 million verdict against Michelin North America Inc., finding the tire maker fully responsible for a catastrophic crash that wiped out three generations of a Texas family.
Jury Assigns Full Blame After Lengthy Trial
After a 10-day trial, jurors concluded that Michelin bore 100% of the fault for the head-on collision, while co-defendant Discount Tire Company of New Mexico Inc. walked away without liability.
The verdict stems from a deadly wreck that occurred July 12, 2021, in Gaines County, Texas, when a Michelin-manufactured LTX M/S 2 tire allegedly failed without warning.
Tire Failure Sent Vehicle Into Oncoming Traffic
Court records show Laura Zamarippa was driving when the front driver-side tire violently malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to cross the center line and collide with another car.
Laura Zamarippa and her mother, Rosalva Marin, were pronounced dead at the scene. Laura’s 14-year-old daughter, Alexis Zamarippa, was airlifted to a hospital but later died from her injuries. Marin was Laura’s mother, and Laura was Alexis’ mother, according to court documents.
