| | 0 Comments | Consumer Protection | , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jeep Transmission Kills Hollywood Star

Jeep27 year old actor Anton Yelchin, known for his role as Chekov in the new series of Star Trek movies, was killed when his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled down his driveway pinning him against the brick wall and fence in front of his Los Angeles home.

The car featured an “e-shift” transmission, which has been an increasingly popular trend in the automotive industry, especially in luxury models. The reason for these new shifting methods are that they take up less space, allowing room for bigger cup holders and more buttons. These new e-shift transmissions can be confusing for many drivers because it lacks the typical grooves and sensation of moving the car into park, drive or reverse. This unfamiliarity among drivers has resulted in many injuries, and in Yelchin’s case, death.

According to a CBS News report, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating more than 850,000 vehicles, mostly 2014 and 2015 Grand Cherokees equipped with e-shift. Government investigators found it “…is not intuitive and provides poor tactile and visual feedback to the driver, increasing the potential for unintended gear selection.” That investigation claims reports of 121 crashes, resulting in several people being hospitalized.

Also included in the recall were the 2012 to 2014 Dodge Charger and the 2012 to 2014 Chrysler 300, both of which are equipped with the same shifting technology.chrysler

According to a NBC News report, Gary Titus of Canton, Massachusetts, owner of a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, said he has experienced this “mis-shifting” on “multiple occasions” — including one incident that sounds eerily similar to Yelchin’s. “The worst one,” said the 59-year-old, “was when I got pinned between the car and the garage.”

This shifting malfunction is a problem that the Fiat Chrysler automotive group is working hard to address, as they have even gone as far as taking the technology out of their newer models to avoid further accidents.

If you or anyone you know has been affected by poor handling of a Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge recall, visit our recall page.

 

| | 0 Comments | Consumer Protection, Drug Issues | , , , , , , , ,

Opioid Overdose Claims a Legend

opioidReports have been released showing legendary pop star Prince, died of an overdose of the painkiller Fentanyl. The drug, which can be found on the black market, is more than 100 times more potent than morphine, making it the strongest opioid available.

“Fentanyl is a very dangerous opioid, whether you’re taking it as a prescription or you’re mixing it with black-market heroin,” said addiction specialist Andrew Kolodny, executive director of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing, in a USA Today article.

“Celebrity overdoses are just the tip of the iceberg of an epidemic,” Kolodny said. “Many of these deaths are occurring in people who are not your typical drug abuser. They are suffering from chronic pain and they are becoming addicted to legitimately prescribed medication.”

Prince’s death is just one in an increasing trend of opioid-related fatalities in America. According to a CDC report, Since 2000, the rate of deaths from drug overdoses has increased 137%, including a 200% increase in the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids. The alarming growth of opioid addictions and deaths has even been a topic in the presidential race, and continues to be a major topic in politics as a whole.

One startling point made in a Washington Post article is that so many people are dying of drug overdoses that it’s easing the shortage of donated organs. While there are many factors, whether accidental or intentional, that contribute to the number of overdoses in this country, there must be more effort put in to stop this growing epidemic.

In the past year, google searches containing the word “opioid” have increased continuously, and they grew even more when Prince’s death was linked to the painkillers. The awareness of the problem has grown across the country, however a solution has not been found. Hopefully there can be a solution to rehabilitate addicts, and prevent future overdoses from occurring.