The negligence-based lawsuit casts doubt about the transmission in Roy Irwin’s Ford F-250.
SAN ANTONIO — The family of a New Braunfels man who died last year after being run over by his own truck is now suing Ford Motor Company.
“He didn’t have to die,” said Jeff Wigington, the attorney representing the daughter of Roy “Mack” Irwin. “He was a very vibrant man. He was a boot salesman.”
It was June 18, 2024 when Wigington says Irwin drove to a New Braunfels subdivision with the intent of picking up items for a church function. Ring camera footage shows the moments when Irwin’s 2023 Ford F-250 begins acting up while the vehicle is in park.
“You can see the truck moving back and forth three times,” Wigington said.
Wigington says the sole passenger in the truck attempted to grab the steering wheel to gain control but was unable to do. Irwin is seen in the video chasing after the truck.
“And as he tried to get back into the truck he was runover and he ultimately died from the injuries that he sustained,” Wigington said.
During their investigation, Wigington says there’ve been numerous documented complaints from primarily consumer groups regarding transmission-type issues with Ford F-250s.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has recorded a number of such complaints going back five years, although there’ve been no recalls for the 2023 model.
“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 said.
For the family of Roy Irwin, this negligence-based lawsuit aims to spread awareness about the alleged faults of some Ford F-250s.
“If you own of these vehicles you should be careful and you should pay close attention to your transmission,” Wigington said.
KENS 5 reached out to Ford for a statement in response to the lawsuit but a representative noted the company doesn’t comment on pending litigation.