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Family settles lawsuit against DaimlerChrysler and Phil Smith Chrysler-Plymouth - Two men die due to defective Jeep vehicle

May 6, 2004

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Christmas Eve is a time when most families come together in celebration and joy, however the family of Kenneth Tulloch mourns at this time of the year due to his untimely and senseless death - caused by a defective DaimlerChrysler built Jeep vehicle.

Kenneth Tulloch was a passenger in a Jeep Cherokee driven by Wadim Mishalow an employee of Seaboard Marine, Ltd., Inc. Mishalow was operating the vehicle on the grounds of the Port of Miami. Suddenly and unexpectedly the vehicle accelerated, was unable to stop, and plunged over a seawall and into the water. Both men died.

Attorney, Edward M. Ricci successfully settled a suit on behalf of Kenneth Tulloch’s family including his wife Zensi and dependent children Jharred and Jodi. The settlement reached with Chrysler is confidential.

The suit originally filed in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Dade County did not specify an amount of monetary damages being sought. The suit named Chrysler Corporation, Daimler Chrysler Corporation, Phil Smith Chrysler-Plymouth, Jeep Eagle Automotive and Seaboard Marine as defendants.

"Chrysler breached their duty in the design, manufacture, assembly, testing, marketing and sales of the 1997 Jeep Cherokee," said Ricci. "Beyond providing for the welfare of the late Mr. Tulloch's wife and children, I hope that the outcome of this favorable settlement on behalf of the family serves to make consumers constantly more aware of the safety of vehicles that they are driving. There are ongoing manufacturing and design issues in vehicles that compromise the safety of consumers in these cases. A tragedy like this serves to heighten that fact and hopefully make the public more aware of personal safety," said Ricci.

Attorney Edward M. Ricci in the law firm of Edward M. Ricci, P.A., has specialized in civil trial law for more than 34 years. The firm is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida at 515 N. Flagler Avenue, Suite 400. Mr. Ricci can be contacted at (561) 842-2820. Additional information about Edward M. Ricci, P.A. may be obtained from the firm's website at www.edriccilaw.com.

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