Firestone Recall Press Conference (continued)
National Press Club
Washington DC

Marta Shugart of Chowchilla, California, describes how her 17-year-old daughter, Devynne, who was driving the family's 1996 Explorer, was nearly killed, along with her sister Ashli (age 15) and a 15-year-old friend, and Marta. On July 20, 2000, the driver's side rear tire, a Firestone FR 480, suddenly shredded, causing a loss of control. The Explorer flipped over, and stopped upside down in a vineyard, with the roof crushed in. Everyone was hanging upside down by their seat belts. Marta suffered a serious head injury. Marta's speech

Vicki Hendricks of Corpus Christi, Texas, tells reporters about her son Matthew, who died at age 18 in a tragic crash. On January 12, 1998, Matthew was driving the family's 1996 Ford Explorer, with no passengers, when the left rear tire de-treaded, causing the Explorer to careen out of control and roll over. Despite wearing his seat belt, Matthew was killed. Matt was a remarkable, compassionate, and beloved young man. His loss is felt profoundly by his entire family, including his 4 brothers and sisters, many other relatives and friends, his church, and his entire community. Vicki has become an active, effective spokesperson for victims of Ford-Firestone crashes, and has been working to persuade lawmakers to enact tougher legislation, including criminal penalties for irresponsible corporate executives, to prevent other families from experiencing tragic losses.

Sally Greenberg, Senior Product Safety Counsel for Consumers Union's Washington, D.C. office, answers reporters' questions about major new auto safety legislation pending before Congress. CARS joined with Consumers Union in calling on Congress to include a provision requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue rollover ratings based on a dynamic crash test. That provision is included in the bill President Clinton is expected to sign.