Parents: Firm rented unsafe vehicle

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002 | 11:03 a.m.

The parents of a man killed in a traffic accident have filed a lawsuit against the owner of the vehicle he was driving and the company that rented the air compressor he was hauling at the time of his death.

Pablo and Blanca Romero allege that Shaun H. Deal knew the left rear tire on his truck was in disrepair but allowed Tony Hernandez-Banos to rent a mobile air-compressor and haul it Sept. 4.

The tire deflated as Hernandez-Banos was driving on Interstate 15 near Russell Road, causing the truck to leave the road, the air compressor to detach and Hernandez-Banos and Daniel Romero to be thrown from the vehicle.

Daniel Romero died as a result of the accident.

The Romeros also allege that Ahern Rentals rented the air compressor knowing that its tires were "improper and/or dangerous."

Attempts to reach officials for Ahern Rentals were unsuccessful. No telephone listing for Shaun Deal could be found.

Patrick Murphy, who represents the Romeros, declined comment.