Family of woman killed in recalled Jeep Liberty to file lawsuit

The family of a pregnant woman killed in a recalled Chrysler Jeep says the company's fine and buyback are too little, too late.

Kayla White was killed when her gas tank exploded on her recalled Jeep Liberty when it was rear-ended on the Lodge freeway last November.

When there are dangerous vehicles, you have to get them off the road," said Gerald Thurswell, the White family's attorney. "But for these vehicles catching on fire she would still be here today."

Thurswell says plans are still in the works to take legal action against Chrysler for the accident not only claimed the life of the Ferndale woman, but her unborn child.

And although the attorney says nothing can be done to replace these lives, he says Monday's announcement that Fiat Chrysler must buy back more than half a million vehicles prone to the loss of control, shows the auto maker is being held responsible for its product.

"The source of comfort is that it will hopefully help prevent the deaths of others if people take advantage of the buyback," Thurswell said.

The consent order also requires the automaker to pay civil penalties of $105 million, submit to to an independent monitor for three years and also offer financial incentives to owners of about one million Jeep Grand Cherokees recalled in 2013.

Kayla was driving a 2003 Jeep Liberty when her fatal accident occurred. 

"The death of Kayla White was senseless and needless," Thurswell said. "Chrysler knew these vehicles were dangerous,"

The family's attorney says that's why legal action must be taken the lawsuit will be filed before November.