A wrongful death lawsuit against Ford Motor Co. has been settled after a 79-year-old Texas man was fatally run over by his own 2023 Ford F-250. His family alleged it began moving despite being parked.
Roy “Mack” Irwin died in June 2024 while visiting a friend’s home in New Braunfels, Texas. Surveillance footage captured the pickup moving forward and backward before Irwin chased the vehicle and attempted to regain control.
His daughter, Shelby Lane Reynolds, sued Ford, Bluebonnet Ford owner Kahlig Enterprises, and Northwest Automotive Warehouse, alleging a defective transmission, improper dealership servicing, and interference with the truck’s automatic emergency-braking system.
The case was scheduled for trial in October 2026 but settled before reaching a jury. According to October 15 coverage from Hoodline, the settlement amounts and conditions have not been publicly disclosed.
Fatal Incident Captured
A February 2025 statement from Wigington Rumley Evans & Blair, the law firm representing Irwin’s family, described his final moments.
Irwin had driven to a friend’s house to collect donations for a church function. He reportedly left the truck running with a passenger inside after shifting into Park. The F-250 began moving back and forth. The passenger tried to stop it but couldn’t regain control, prompting Irwin to approach the open driver’s door.
As the pickup continued moving toward the street, Irwin chased it and attempted to climb inside. He was pulled beneath the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries. Attorney Jeff Wigington described the surveillance recording in a January 2025 interview with KENS 5.
“You can see the truck moving back and forth three times,” Wigington said.
Previous Transmission Complaint
Reynolds alleged that Irwin had previously taken his pickup to Bluebonnet Ford because it would not remain in Park.
Her lawsuit accused Ford of manufacturing a defective transmission and failing to adequately warn drivers about the danger. She also claimed the dealership negligently serviced the truck.
Wigington said his legal team had identified consumer complaints involving Ford F-250 transmission problems, including complaints submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, the lawsuit did not establish the specific mechanical cause of Irwin’s accident.
The complaint also alleged that an aftermarket grille guard installed by Northwest Automotive Warehouse interfered with the vehicle’s pedestrian-detection and automatic emergency braking systems.
Ford Denies Responsibility
Ford and Bluebonnet Ford denied the allegations, disputing claims that the truck was defective or that its servicing caused the accident. The defendants also argued that Irwin bore some responsibility, including claims that he had not properly secured the vehicle in Park or responded to warnings.
Ford maintained that the pickup met applicable federal safety standards, while Northwest Automotive Warehouse disputed the allegations involving the grille guard.
The case ended without a jury determination establishing whether a vehicle defect, servicing problem, or aftermarket accessory contributed to Irwin’s death.
Settlement Before Trial
Reynolds reached a settlement with Northwest Automotive Warehouse in June 2026.
Ford and Bluebonnet Ford subsequently resolved their disputes with the family. On July 31, Reynolds and the remaining defendants jointly requested dismissal of the claims. The agreements came before a trial scheduled for the week of October 12, 2026.
The parties have not publicly disclosed how much money was paid or whether the agreements included any additional conditions. As of October 15, publicly reported court records did not show signed orders formally dismissing the claims.