Family's tragedy to be featured on '20/20'

Robert Moore wants to ban the sale of old tires.

Such a ban, he said, could have saved the life of his son, Andy, and one of his son’s friends, who both died at the age of 19 in a 2002 accident when the tread of a tire on the father’s van separated.

The tire was purchased as “new” a few years before the accident. But in actuality, the “new” tire was manufactured four years before it was bought, the family said. It wasn’t used, just old, they said.

Robert Moore and his lawyers were interviewed for a segment of ABC’s “20/20,” which will air at 10 tonight as part of an investigative piece on old tires by reporter Brian Ross. Moore wants people to be aware of their tires, and know exactly how old they are — even if they are “new.”

“We have our little crusade here to raise this awareness. … I think we’re going to make a difference. I think we’re going to get this thing started,’’ Moore said.

“We lost a son and his life can never be replaced,” he said. “But we can dedicate ourselves to saving lives by banning the sale of aged, potentially deadly tires and by making sure that old, unsafe tires are removed from service.”

Moore bought what he believed were newly-made Firestone tires in 1997 from a Sunoco station in Bucks County. He and his lawyers declined to name the station. In July 2002, while on a camping trip in Ontario, Canada, Andy was rounding a curve when the tread on the left rear tire separated. Andy, who was wearing a seatbelt, lost control and the van rolled over several times and landed in a ditch.

Andy and David Crum, also a Council Rock graduate, died in the accident; three other passengers sustained minor injuries.

Attorneys Donald F. Manchel and Jane Marton say tire manufacturers are aware that discontinued and poorly stored tires are being sold.

“When you have the shocking news that your son has died in a car accident, the horror you experience at that moment, you can’t imagine it,” Moore said. “When I found out that there were these issues, it was several years down the road. I got a sense of outrage, but not outrage where I wanted to break plates and things.

“It was more of, ‘I can’t believe that this is the kind of thing that can happen.’ The reality is, if it were illegal to sell tires that are 4 years old and if there were a law that said when a tire is 6 years old, it has to come off your car, Andy and his friend would still be alive.”

Just before a civil trial was to begin before Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Arnold New, Moore’s parents settled a wrongful death lawsuit against Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire and other local vehicle service defendants in September. The terms of the settlement are under court seal, Moore’s lawyers said.

Andy’s parents established the Andy Moore Scholarship at Council Rock High School-North. Recognizing their son’s passion for music, the scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating senior demonstrating excellence in both music and academics.

Danny Adler can be reached at 215-949-4205 or dadler@phillyBurbs.com