Punta Gorda, Florida – A tragic incident in Punta Gorda, Florida, unfolded when a young mother, Destiny Marie Byassee, 22, lost her life due to a fake and faulty airbag that ‘detonated like a grenade’ during a crash. The incident occurred on June 11 last year, after Byassee’s 2020 Chevy Malibu was involved in a frontal collision.
The malfunctioning airbag deployed during the crash, but instead of protecting Byassee, it sent metal and plastic shrapnel throughout the vehicle cabin. Resulting in fatal injuries, the shrapnel struck Byassee in the face, head, and neck, ultimately leading to her tragic death, as claimed in a lawsuit filed on behalf of Byassee’s family members.
The lawsuit detailed a chain of events that allegedly led to Byassee’s death. Initially, the Malibu had been in a previous crash in September 2022, causing significant damage to the vehicle and activating its original airbag. Despite the extent of the damage, the car was repaired and sold through an auctioneer after necessary repairs, including replacing the airbag with counterfeit components from a Chinese manufacturer.
Furthermore, the mechanic hired to fix the car allegedly used substandard and non-compliant parts to save money, compromising the safety of the vehicle. This included not properly repairing the seat belt pretensioner, which plays a critical role in securing the driver during a crash.
Byassee was unaware of the inadequate repairs done to the vehicle when she purchased it, and tragically, the faulty airbag and malfunctioning seat belt pretensioner failed to protect her during the fatal crash months later. The lawsuit highlighted the deceptive practices of the automotive companies involved and the dangers of counterfeit airbags being unknowingly installed in vehicles in the US.
Led by Byassee’s grandmother, Cathy King, the lawsuit names several parties, including Enterprise, Manheim, and the mechanic, seeking unspecified damages for negligence, breach of warranty, and strict liability. The legal action aims to hold accountable those responsible for the tragic loss of Byassee’s life, leaving her two young children without their mother.