Bridgestone/Firestone's chief executive officer testified Friday in the first Firestone tire tread separation trial. John Lampe said that accident claims submitted to his company include nearly eight times more Explorer vehicles than Ford Ranger pickups. Lampe blamed the accidents on the Ford Explorer's design defects, and claimed that Firestone tires had little to do with the numerous injuries and deaths.

The Rodriguez family sued both Ford and Firestone for injuries arising out of a March 2000 Ford Explorer accident. Marisa Rodriguez is permanently disabled because of the accident and will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Ford settled with the Rodriguez family for a reported $6 million. The family is suing Firestone for $1 billion in damages.

The Rodriguez's accident occurred several months before Firestone initiated the recall of 6.5 million tires. Models recalled included Firestone's 15-inch Wilderness AT, ATX and ATX II tires made at its Decatur, Illinois plant. The tires involved in the Rodriguez accident would have been subject to the recall.

Joel Rodriguez, Marisa's husband, also testified on Friday. His brother was driving the Explorer when the accident occurred. He explained that his wife mostly watches television now because she is unable to play with her children. He told the court their three children are increasingly withdrawn and sad. After describing the injuries and their effect on his family, Joel Rodriguez endured a barrage of questions from Firestone's attorneys. They questioned his memory of the incident and implied that his attorneys influenced his recollection.

Marisa Rodriguez testified after her husband. She was unable to utter more than one or two word answers to her attorney's questions. Rodriguez did tell the court that she misses playing with her children more than anything else. Firestone's attorneys decided not to cross-examine her.

Firestone chief executive Lampe was the first witness called by the company. Again, he emphasized that the Explorer's design played a major role in the majority of tread separations. Lampe testified that it is not Firestone's job to ensure that tires safely operate on an automaker's vehicles.