Family members of eight Utah State University students killed in a rollover accident last year, plus two survivors, have filed a federal suit against the manufacturer of the van and its tires.
The suit filed this week in U.S. District Court against Daimler Chrysler Corp. and Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. claims defects in the Dodge van and the van's tires led to the Sept. 26, 2005, accident on I-84 in in Box Elder County. The suit states the tread on a tire peeled off, causing the vehicle to roll several times. The van's design was also defective and contributed to the accident, court documents allege.
The suit is seeking unspecified damages.
Although the Utah Highway Patrol initially reported the van was traveling near 100 mph, a later state forensics report estimated the speed at around 75 mph.