Ford is under fire after a Dark Horse Mustang prototype was involved in a crash during a testing session, injuring two children and sparking a major lawsuit.
At a Glance
- A crash at a test track in Auburn Hills severely injured two children.
- The incident took place during a STEM-related summer camp in July 2023.
- Lawsuits have been filed against multiple parties including Ford.
- The injured children suffered severe injuries including skull fractures and brain damage.
Details of the Incident
In July 2023, a violent crash occurred at a test track in Auburn Hills, Michigan, causing severe injuries to two children. This unfortunate event took place during a STEM-related summer camp organized by the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP). As part of the camp activities, participants were given a demonstration of the Dark Horse Mustang prototype.
The crash happened when the driver, Linus Gugino, lost control of the high-performance Mustang. Gugino, who is a test driver for Continental, allegedly made the car break traction to make the demonstration more thrilling. Unfortunately, this maneuver resulted in the car slamming into a guardrail and striking onlookers, including the two children.
Extent of Injuries
The injured children, ages eight and ten, endured catastrophic injuries including skull fractures, brain damage, broken bones, and tinnitus. Families of the victims have filed multiple lawsuits alleging gross negligence and a failure to ensure proper safety measures during the demonstration.
Attorney Jon Marko, representing the families, emphasized the lack of safety precautions. “Our children should be able to go on field trips without the parents having to worry that they will be placed next to a high-speed test car and run over. And that’s what happened here… No one involved in hosting or promoting this demonstration took the simplest steps to keep the kids there safe.”
Legal Ramifications
The lawsuits have been filed against several parties: Ford, Continental Automotive Systems, DAPCEP, and Linus Gugino. The legal action includes nine counts of liability and negligence. The plaintiffs seek a jury-determined judgment for full compensation of damages. Reports indicate that smartphone footage and aerial photos show the car exiting a curve in an oversteer slide before losing control.
“The predictable happened,” Jonathan Marko, the attorney representing both families in the lawsuits, told CBS. “When you take a high-speed, prototype race car, and you race it right next to little kids. And you have your driver lose control on purpose, to make it exciting. Something bad is going to happen. And the worst imaginable nightmare for these families and these children happened.”
Gugino is currently a road test engineer for Brembo, but the lawsuits claim he may have deliberately lost control to make the demonstration more exciting. Attorney Marko even compared the situation to professional motorsports events, pointing out that such a lack of safety protocols would never be allowed there.
Ford and Other Involved Parties
Ford has declined to comment on the pending litigation. The car manufacturer now faces potential repercussions that could tarnish its brand image and disrupt future sales plans. The test track where the crash occurred is owned by Continental Automotive Systems, which is also facing legal action. The plaintiffs argue that all parties failed in their duty to ensure the safety of the children present during the demonstration.
“They won’t even let you do this at NASCAR,” said Marko. “I go to a NASCAR show, or we go to the Grand Prix at downtown Detroit, they’ve got fences up. They won’t even let me as an adult come anywhere near close.”
The lawsuit is a significant blow to Ford as it tries to launch its new Mustang Dark Horse model. The legal proceedings will likely have far-reaching consequences not just for the involved parties but also for future vehicle testing and safety protocols across the industry.
