DETROIT, April 28 (UPI) -- Jury selection began Monday in Detroit where former hockey star Vladimir Konstantinov is suing a Ford dealership over a crippling limousine crash.
The former Red Wing contends Findlay Ford Lincoln Mercury of Findlay, Ohio, failed to inspect the vehicle before selling it, therefore allowing a defective vehicle to be put into service.
Konstantinov was riding in the vehicle in 1997 when the driver fell asleep at the wheel and hit a tree in the Detroit suburb of Birmingham. No one was killed but a Red Wings trainer was partially paralyzed and Konstantinov spent five weeks in a coma.
Konstantinov says he still requires 24-hour medical care.
The lawsuit contends the vehicle's seatbelts had faulty latches or were stuffed under the seats.
Findlay Ford denies any responsibility for the wreck since it didn't make the Lincoln. Lawsuits against Ford and the limo company were settled out of court.
