Bridgestone M895 II Tire Lawsuit, Texas Widow Alleges Tread Separation Caused Fatal Street Sweeper Crash
A Texas widow has sued Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC and Bridgestone Corporation, alleging a defective Bridgestone tire suffered tread separation and caused the fatal November 2025 crash that killed her husband.
Lakeisha Durham-Duncan filed the wrongful-death product liability lawsuit on September 18, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The case is Durham-Duncan et al. v. Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC et al., No. 4:2026cv01309.
It is an individual lawsuit, not a class action. There is no settlement, no claim form and no claim deadline, so tire owners cannot join it or file a claim under this case number.
Bridgestone Tire Lawsuit Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Case | Durham-Duncan et al. v. Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC et al. |
| Case number | 4:2026cv01309 |
| Court | U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas |
| Plaintiffs | Lakeisha Durham-Duncan and K.R.D., a minor |
| Decedent | Tharnell Duncan II |
| Defendants | Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC; Bridgestone Corporation |
| Filed | September 18, 2026 (complaint and jury demand) |
| Crash | November 6, 2025, Denton County, Texas |
| Vehicle | 2023 Isuzu street sweeper |
| Tire named | Bridgestone M895 II |
| Basis for federal court | Diversity jurisdiction, 28 U.S.C. § 1332 |
| Nature of suit | Motor vehicle product liability |
| Class action | No |
| Settlement or claim form | None |
| Status | Newly filed; early stage |
What Does the Bridgestone M895 II Tire Lawsuit Allege?
According to the complaint, Tharnell Duncan II was driving a 2023 Isuzu street sweeper in Denton County on November 6, 2025, when the tread separated from a Bridgestone M895 II tire. The lawsuit says he lost control, the vehicle crossed several lanes and struck a concrete barrier and a light pole, and he died of his injuries.
The plaintiffs say the tire was prone to tread separation because of design and construction defects. As reported, the complaint alleges the tire was vulnerable to premature oxidation and had an inadequately thin inner liner, which allegedly let oxygen and moisture reach the steel belts and weaken the tire from the inside.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for Ms. Durham-Duncan and her son. The sources I reviewed do not state a dollar amount.
These are allegations, not findings. No court has decided that the tire was defective or caused the crash, and Bridgestone has not been found liable.
Is the Bridgestone Tire Lawsuit a Class Action?
No. Ms. Durham-Duncan filed on behalf of her husband’s estate and their minor son. The docket lists her and K.R.D. as the only plaintiffs. Wrongful-death claims depend on each family’s own damages, so they are normally brought individually rather than as class actions.
That means:
- There is no class settlement fund and no claim form.
- Owning an M895 II tire does not make you a plaintiff.
- There are no class opt-out or objection rights, because those apply only to a certified class settlement.
- If a separate class action over these tires is ever filed, the court would issue its own notice.
What Happens Next in the Bridgestone Tire Lawsuit?
When I reviewed the federal docket, it showed only the complaint and jury demand. Nothing showed a response from Bridgestone, so Bridgestone’s position on the allegations is not yet on the record.
In general, a defendant in federal court must answer or file a motion within 21 days after being served with the complaint, or 60 days if it waives formal service. The case can then move to motions, discovery and, if it does not settle, a jury trial. No trial date has been set.
In a tire defect case, discovery often centers on the failed tire, manufacturing and quality-control records, design and materials specifications, testing data, prior complaints, and maintenance and operating history. Any settlement involving a minor plaintiff generally needs court approval.
What Should You Do After a Serious Tire Failure?
The failed tire can be central evidence, and experts often examine it to separate design or manufacturing defects from other causes such as underinflation, overloading, road damage or wear. If you are in a serious tire failure:
- Keep the tire and wheel. Do not let a shop or insurer scrap them.
- Photograph the tire, vehicle, road and the tire’s sidewall markings, including the DOT code.
- Save records: purchase and installation, maintenance and inspections, repairs, accident reports, any dashcam video and medical records.
- Collect witness names and contact details.
- Talk to a product liability attorney about your own situation, and note that state deadlines to sue apply.
Preserving evidence does not prove a defect. It keeps the question of what happened open.
For more background, see Truck Tire Blowout Accident Lawyer, Who Is Liable When a Tire Destroys Your Life? and Truck Manufacturer Defect Lawsuits: Your Legal Rights.
Bridgestone Tire Lawsuit FAQ
Is there a Bridgestone tire class action over the November 2025 fatal crash?
No. Durham-Duncan is an individual wrongful-death product liability case.
Who filed the Bridgestone tire lawsuit?
Lakeisha Durham-Duncan, for the estate of her husband, Tharnell Duncan II, and for their minor son, K.R.D.
Which tire does the lawsuit name?
The Bridgestone M895 II.
What does the lawsuit allege?
That design and construction defects, including premature oxidation and a thin inner liner, caused the tire’s tread to separate, leading to the fatal crash.
Has a court found Bridgestone liable?
No. The case is at an early stage and the allegations are unproven.
Is there a Bridgestone M895 II settlement claim form?
No. There is no settlement and no claims process.
Can M895 II owners join the case?
No. It is not a class action, and owning the tire does not make you a plaintiff.
What is the case number and court?
No. 4:2026cv01309, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
When was it filed?
September 18, 2026.
Is there a claim deadline?
No, because there is no class settlement.
Current Status
As of September 29, 2026, Durham-Duncan v. Bridgestone is a newly filed federal lawsuit. The complaint alleges a Bridgestone M895 II tire suffered tread separation during the November 6, 2025 operation of a 2023 Isuzu street sweeper, killing Tharnell Duncan II. The court has not ruled on the allegations, and no settlement or claim form has been announced.
Sources
- Justia docket, Durham-Duncan et al. v. Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC et al., No. 4:2026cv01309 (E.D. Tex.), Filing 1, complaint and jury demand, September 18, 2026.
- AboutLawsuits.com, “Bridgestone Tire Lawsuit Alleges Tread Separation Caused Fatal Crash”, for the complaint’s reported allegations.
- Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(a), on response deadlines.
AllAboutLawyer.com is a legal information website, not a law firm. This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Allegations in a complaint are claims by the plaintiff and are not findings of fact or liability.
By Israr Ahmad, Legal Content Researcher
About the Author
Israr Ahmad is a legal content researcher with 4+ years of experience covering class action settlements and consumer rights cases. He has researched and published coverage of 2,500+ settlements using verified court records, settlement administrator filings, and government sources. Learn more about Israr.