A lawsuit filed in Arizona alleges that a design defect in Ford’s C-Max Hybrid vehicle led to the fatal hydrogen sulfide poisoning of 60-year-old Abimael Feliciano in Dothan, Alabama, on August 8, 2023. The case accuses both Ford and several dealerships of negligence, claiming the vehicle lacked critical safety features that could have prevented the tragedy.
The Incident and Allegations
According to court filings, Feliciano died when toxic gas leaked into the cabin of his C-Max Hybrid while he was stopped at a traffic light. The source of the gas was traced to a disconnected vent tube near the rear-mounted battery. The lawsuit asserts that Ford failed to properly design the hybrid system, and dealerships did not adequately inspect or repair the vehicle during prior service visits.
Hydrogen Sulfide: A Silent Killer
Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic gas that can cause rapid incapacitation and death at high concentrations. Exposure is often fatal within seconds, making detection and prevention crucial. The lawsuit highlights the absence of warning systems or gas sensors in the C-Max Hybrid, which could have alerted Feliciano before the gas reached lethal levels.
The Role of Dealerships
Arizona dealerships – Bill Luke Tempe, Camelback Ford Lincoln, and Sanderson Ford – are named in the complaint, accused of contributing to the negligence through inadequate maintenance and inspection procedures. The plaintiffs argue that these dealerships had a duty to ensure the vehicle’s safety, and their failure to do so exacerbated the risk.
Legal Action and Industry Implications
The lawsuit seeks unspecified financial damages and a jury trial. Attorneys for the Feliciano family, led by D. Michael Andrews of Beasley Allen, state that the case is about accountability and preventing future deaths. > “This is about more than one family’s loss – it’s about the responsibility automakers and dealers have to every driver and passenger on the road,” Andrews said. The complaint demands industry-wide changes to battery venting systems and toxic gas detection in hybrid vehicles.
The case raises critical questions about the safety of mass-market hybrid cars, where a seemingly impossible scenario – filling the cabin with deadly gas – became reality due to design flaws and alleged negligence. The lawsuit seeks not only justice for the Feliciano family but also systemic improvements to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
