DADE CITY - Two of the many targets of an April lawsuit over a tire blowout and fatal Intestate 75 crash have filed replies to the suit, both denying responsibility.
The suit was filed last month by an Inverness family. It claims the death of Howard Stone, 66, and injuries to his two sons, Joseph and Shaun, on July 2, 2001 happened when a Dayton tire on their 1992 Ford Aerostar minivan blew out, causing a crash.
The suit named the makers of Dayton tires - Bridgestone/Firestone - as well as Ford Motor Co., and numerous area tire dealers.
One of the tire dealers, Countryside Towing and Auto Services, of Inverness, responded with a letter indicating the company has never and does not now sell Bridgestone/Firestone products and did not supply the tire the minivan was riding on.
Ford also denied responsibility, blaming the family in part for not wearing seat belts and operating the vehicle unsafely.
Ford is asking for the issue to be settled at trial and is demanding legal costs be paid by the family.
