Tennessee couple sues Kia after crash leaves man paralyzed due to alleged defect

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A Tennessee couple is suing Kia Motors after their husband was left paralyzed after a crash due to an alleged defect in the driver's seat.

Rickey and Dorothea Rye filed suit against Kia, claiming Rickey's spinal cord was injured after the back of his driver's seat “malfunctioned, failed and collapsed,” paralyzing him.

The alleged accident occurred on July 16, 2023, while Rickey was driving the 2022 Kia Sorrento and the Dorothea in the front passenger seat. While the couple was stopped at a red light at the intersection of North Riverside Drive and College Street, another vehicle rear-ended them.

That's when the back of the seat collapsed, seriously injuring Rickey.

“The subject vehicle and the driver’s seat of the subject vehicle are defective and excessively dangerous,” the suit claims.

The suit says the allegedly defective seat caused his injuries. The Ryes are seeking to have Kia found guilty of strict liability, negligence, violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and more.

The suit demands a jury trial to determine whether Kia should be held liable for Rickey's injuries, and seeks payment not to exceed $100 million for all injuries and damages.

You can read the lawsuit in full below:

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