By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-23 19:36:57 | Updated at 2025-01-23 22:33:38
3 hours ago
The family of a beloved Texas father who was tragically crushed to death by his massive Ford pickup truck in a freak accident has sued Ford Motor Company.
Roy 'Mack' Irwin, 79, of New Braunfels, died on June 18, 2024 after his 2023 Ford F-250 ran him over while he picked up items for a church gathering.
Horrific ring doorbell footage captured the moment just before he was trampled by his own vehicle that was seen acting up while in park.
Jeff Wigington, an attorney now representing Irwin's daughter in a lawsuit against Ford Motor Company, told KCENTV that during the frightening incident, the sole passenger inside the truck attempted to gain control of the vehicle by grabbing the steering wheel, but failed to do so.
Irwin then chased his car and tried to hop inside as it backed out of the driveway on its own. The massive truck then ran him over, causing severe injuries that led to his death.
'You can see the truck moving back and forth three times,' Wigington said, describing the disturbing video.
Now, Wigington is spearheading a lawsuit against the major automobile manufacturer, the Ford dealership in New Braunfels, and a parts manufacturer for negligence that resulted in Irwin's sudden death.
'He didn't have to die. He was a very vibrant man. He was a boot salesman,' Wigington told the outlet.
Roy 'Mack' Irwin, 79, of New Braunfels, died on June 18, 2024 after his 2023 Ford F-250 ran him over while he picked up items for a church gathering
He quickly ran after his truck and tried to gain control of it while a sole passenger grabbed the steering wheel inside
While Irwin attempted to gain control of his truck, he 'was pulled underneath the front driver side resulting in the vehicle's front tire running over his upper torso, trapping him alive until first responders arrived at the scene and freed him,' according to the lawsuit, reviewed by MySA.
The legal filing is accusing Ford Motors and Kahlig Enterprises, Inc. - the parent company of Bluebonnet Ford and the local dealership of selling a vehicle to Irwin that had a defective transmission system, allowing the car to shift gears without 'human input.'
His family is also going after San Antonio-based NAW-Northwest Automotive Warehouse, Inc. for negligently installing a grill guard on Irwin's truck that caused the vehicle's pedestrian prevention system to glitch, according to the lawsuit.
The system is designed to provide emergency braking to stop the truck from hitting people, the lawsuit detailed.
His heartbroken family is seeking recovery of damages for his medical, hospital, funeral and burial costs, along with the 'conscious physical pain and emotional pain, torment, and suffering experienced by Roy Mack Irwin before his death,' the suit detailed.
Prior to the unfortunate tragedy, Irwin 'was in good health with a reasonable life expectancy of many years,' the lawsuit stated.
'During his lifetime, the decedent was a good caring father who gave comfort and companionship to his family. In all reasonable probability, he would have continued to do so for the remainder of his natural life,' it continued.
Not only was Irwin a cherished father, but he was also a grandfather to five grandchildren his daughter Shelby Reynolds shares with her husband Larry Reynolds, according to his obituary.
He was married to his wife of 45 years, Sydnie Rose Adams Irwin, who died in January 2015.
Not only was Irwin a cherished father, but he was also a grandfather to five grandchildren his daughter Shelby Reynolds shares with her husband Larry Reynolds
Irwin tried to hop inside as it backed out of the driveway on its own. The massive truck then ran him over, causing severe injuries that led to his death
The couple 'fell head over heels' for each other after meeting at a dance. They got married in January 1970, her obituary stated.
Other than his love for his family and spending time with them, Irwin also enjoyed many hobbies, including fishing, traveling and attending car shows.
Irwin spent most of his career working in the footwear industry. Prior to his death he was a sales rep for Dan Post Boot Co.
'He loved his job, during his life there’s one thing he knew for sure, he never met a stranger!,' the page said.
In July, his daughter posted a loving photo of him behind the desk at his job, wearing a cowboy hat as pairs of boots surrounded him.
Shelby also shared a touching family photo as she held up a frame with her father's picture inside.
Shelby, Irwin's daughter, shared a touching family photo as she held up a frame with her father's picture inside
During the investigation into his death, Wigington uncovered multiple complaints from consumer groups regarding issues with Ford-F250s.
There have been no recalls on the 2023 model despite a recorded number of complaints dating back five years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
'The determination of the specific cause of those movements will have to be done throughout the course of this litigation, through testing that’s ultimately completed,' Wigington explained.
Other than fighting for justice for Irwin, his family hopes to spread awareness about the vehicle's alleged faults so others can be aware.
'If you own one of these vehicles you should be careful and you should pay close attention to your transmission,' Wigington said.
DailyMail.com contacted Ford Motor Company, NAW-Northwest Automotive Warehouse, Inc., the New Braunfels Ford dealership and the family's attorney for comment.
