She broke her leg and suffered a concussion and facial injuries after her 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer overturned on 78 west last year
A woman badly hurt in a rollover crash while driving an SUV on a New Jersey highway last year has sued General Motors and a local Chevrolet dealer, alleging the vehicle was dangerous and defective when she bought it.
News of the suit was first reported by Law360.com.
Bridget Holmes-Mergucz, then 45, was driving west on Interstate 78 in Warren, Somerset County on May 23 when another car cut in front of her. When Holmes-Mergucz moved to try to avoid hitting the other vehicle, the 2003 TrailBlazer overturned and she was thrown from the SUV.
Holmes-Mergucz fractured her left femur, received a concussion and had facial injuries, according to a suit filed last month in Superior Court in Essex County.
"The 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer restraint system, seat and/or structure failed to protect her from serious injury," according to the complaint obtained by Law360. "The vehicle was not crashworthy and failed to provide adequate protection during a foreseeable collision."
Holmes-Mergucz also alleges that Jersey City Chevrolet LLC sold her the car and later serviced it without informing her of its deficiencies, according to the suit.
Holmes-Mergucz didn't say how much money she is seeking in the suit, which left her with "serious and permanent" injuries.
The crash near the Stirling Road overpass west of exit 40 took place at about 7:45 a.m. and backed up traffic for miles. She was listed in stable condition at Morristown Medical Center that afternoon, State Police said at the time. Authorities said she lived in Jefferson, Ariz.
Spokesman for General Motors didn't immediately reply to NJ Advance Media's request for comment about the suit.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.