Ferrari test driver sues after '100mph crash'
#1
12-16-2011, 12:21 PM
Ferrari test driver sues after '100mph crash'
Source: Ferrari test driver sues after '100mph crash' - Telegraph
A Ferrari test driver is suing his former employers after he was left paralysed from the neck down after crashing a 170mph supercar.
Stephen Harris, who was working as a car technician at Kent High Performance Cars - which trades as The Ferrari Centre in Maidstone, Kent - suffered horrendous injuries after the Ferrari 348 TS he was test driving went off the road.
The 31-year-old claims that the owner of the car showroom, Roger Collingwood, told him to 'open her up' - meaning to put his foot down to test the £30,000 supercar was running smoothly.
He also claims that his former boss told him to take the car to 100mph before the smash in 2008.
The crash happened on the A274 near Headcorn in Kent when Mr Harris drove at speeds of up to 80mph before losing control and smashing into another car before leaving the road and crashing into a clump of trees.
The driver of the other car involved in the accident was not seriously injured in the crash and a police report found that the car had 'no defects'.
Mr Harris, whose job was to repair and service Ferraris and to 'run them in' before handing them back to owners, now needs round-the-clock care and is wheelchair-bound since the crash.
He claims his former employers were negligent and that it was 'unsafe' for him to test high performance cars on the open road.
The case is set to be heard next year.
Roger Collingwood, the owner of Kent High Performance Cars - which trades as The Ferrari Centre in Maidstone, Kent, denied being negligent.
The 31-year-old, of West Malling in Kent, needs round the clock care after being paralysed from the neck down in the crash in November 2008 when he was test driving a Ferrari 348 TS.
Mr Collingwood, however, said that all of his employees 'knew the rules' and that they were all told to obey the laws of the road and not to break the speed limit.
He said: "All staff are told that under no circumstances can they break the laws of the road and they are never to exceed the speed limit."
Mt Collingwood - who has run the showroom and garage for nearly 30 years - added" It is tragic what happened to Stephen, but we strongly dispute any claim of negligence on our part."
A Ferrari test driver is suing his former employers after he was left paralysed from the neck down after crashing a 170mph supercar.
Stephen Harris, who was working as a car technician at Kent High Performance Cars - which trades as The Ferrari Centre in Maidstone, Kent - suffered horrendous injuries after the Ferrari 348 TS he was test driving went off the road.
The 31-year-old claims that the owner of the car showroom, Roger Collingwood, told him to 'open her up' - meaning to put his foot down to test the £30,000 supercar was running smoothly.
He also claims that his former boss told him to take the car to 100mph before the smash in 2008.
The crash happened on the A274 near Headcorn in Kent when Mr Harris drove at speeds of up to 80mph before losing control and smashing into another car before leaving the road and crashing into a clump of trees.
The driver of the other car involved in the accident was not seriously injured in the crash and a police report found that the car had 'no defects'.
Mr Harris, whose job was to repair and service Ferraris and to 'run them in' before handing them back to owners, now needs round-the-clock care and is wheelchair-bound since the crash.
He claims his former employers were negligent and that it was 'unsafe' for him to test high performance cars on the open road.
The case is set to be heard next year.
Roger Collingwood, the owner of Kent High Performance Cars - which trades as The Ferrari Centre in Maidstone, Kent, denied being negligent.
The 31-year-old, of West Malling in Kent, needs round the clock care after being paralysed from the neck down in the crash in November 2008 when he was test driving a Ferrari 348 TS.
Mr Collingwood, however, said that all of his employees 'knew the rules' and that they were all told to obey the laws of the road and not to break the speed limit.
He said: "All staff are told that under no circumstances can they break the laws of the road and they are never to exceed the speed limit."
Mt Collingwood - who has run the showroom and garage for nearly 30 years - added" It is tragic what happened to Stephen, but we strongly dispute any claim of negligence on our part."
#2
12-16-2011, 12:29 PM
Obviously not the dealership fault. Who was driving? Whose foot was on the pedal? Who was breaking the law? Dana that's who.
#6
12-16-2011, 01:32 PM
This story baffles me. First of all, this accident happened three years ago. Second of all, why did he wait until now to sue? Third of all, why is he suing the dealership in the first place? This accident is completely his fault because he was the moron driving. I know his boss told him to go 100mph, but if he told you to jump off a bridge, would you?
Last edited by Manettino; 12-16-2011 at 01:34 PM.
#7
12-16-2011, 01:34 PM
This story baffles me. First of all, this accident happened three years ago. Second of all, why did he wait till now to sue? Third of all, this accident is completely his fault because he was the moron driving. I know his boss told him to go 100mph but if he told you to jump off a bridge, would you?
Unfortunately that is the American way of doing things. 
