Tyrene Livingston purchased a 2007 Toyota Yaris unaware of its hidden safety defects.  A promising 21 year-old graduate student who was pursuing her Master’s Degree in Education at the University of Pittsburgh, Tyrene was a safe driver with an excellent driving record.

Tyrene Livingston

On October 22, 2007, Tyrene brought her Yaris to a Toyota dealership and complained of problems with the vehicle, including what she perceived to be issues with braking.  The vehicle was inspected and tested, and Tyrene was ensured that nothing was wrong.

Four days later, on October 26, 2007, at approximately 8:45 a.m., Tyrene, wearing her seat belt, was driving on U.S. Route 30 in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to her teaching internship at a local high school.  Suddenly, the Yaris accelerated out of control and Tyrene was unable to stop the vehicle by braking.  The Yaris crossed four lanes of the highway at a high rate of speed, went over a curb, crashed through a guardrail, went down an embankment, and landed into trees, resulting in Tyrene’s death.

Toyota belonging to Tyrene Livingston

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Toyota
On February 22, 2010, Sandra Livingston of Roosevelt, NY, filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking general and punitive damages against Toyota Motor Corporation for the death of her daughter Tyrene.

“Tyrene was a wonderful and loving daughter who was and is loved by her family and friends.  She was a leader, and she was ambitious, confident, encouraging, spiritual, unselfish, focused and respectful,” stated her mother Sandra Livingston.  “Tyrene would always go that extra mile when it came to helping others.  As a student teacher she made her students feel important and special.  Her goal was to pursue a career in education, ultimately to become a superintendent and make a difference in the lives of young people.”

“The complaint charges that Toyota for years was aware that its vehicles were susceptible to sudden unintended acceleration, leading to fatal accidents,” stated plaintiffs’ counsel Robert J. Nelson.  “Yet, Toyota never made any significant changes to improve the acceleration and electrical systems of its vehicles, in spite of the availability of several safe and inexpensive modifications.”

“As difficult and painful as it is for me to go through this legal process, I feel it is necessary to do so.  I hope that it will prevent another tragic death,” Sandra Livingston explained.  “Tyrene will not be coming back to us.  Her death has been and continues to be most painful to bear, and if Toyota is at fault they should be held accountable and take responsibility for their mistake and make sure that it does not happen again.”

The complaint was filed in federal court in Los Angeles as two of the primary defendants, Toyota Motor North America, Inc. and Toyota Motor Sales, Inc., are both California corporations with their headquarters located in Los Angeles.  The complaint seeks general damages as well as punitive damages against Toyota for its failure to recall its vehicles due to a known, significant safety defect and refusal to take any steps to prevent sudden unintended acceleration accidents in order to increase its profits.

Learn more about Toyota sudden acceleration lawsuits at Lieff Cabraser’s website USAutoInjuryLaw.com