— A General Motors lawsuit alleges Oscar Fuentes, 19, and Ebenezer "Tosin" Oloba, 23, were killed because a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze experienced a sudden unintended acceleration event in February 2017.
Fuentes and Oloba suffered injuries and drowned when the rented Chevy Cruze went off highway 77 as it neared a bridge and plunged into the San Antonia River.
According to the plaintiffs, the Cruze went from the highway to the shoulder, hit two road signs and plunged into the water. The Cruze was found by a dive team using sonar and was pulled out of about 14 feet of water by a bulldozer.
Both men were students at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and were heading to a student government conference when the crash occurred.
According to the lawsuit, the Cruze suffered from a software problem that caused the car to suddenly accelerate without warning. Lawyers for the plaintiffs say they are aware of three other 2016 Chevrolet Cruze cars that experienced sudden unintended acceleration events. One of those incidents allegedly caused the car to crash into a tree.
The plaintiffs also believe there may have been a failure of the steering system that caused or contributed to the crash. According to attorneys, there was no evidence the victims had been drinking, speeding or influenced by drugs.
Attorneys say they have spent almost a year investigating the case, but it's been slow-going because none of the victims owned the car. Lawyers for the plaintiffs claim they have battled Enterprise and General Motors for details from the Chevy Cruze event data recorder, or "black box."
The plaintiffs say the lawsuit is needed so General Motors will turn over important documents and data related to the 2016 Chevy Cruze.
Also included as defendants in the lawsuit are Firestone and rental car company Enterprise.
The plaintiffs are represented by Stewart, Seay & Felton.
