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September 16, 1999 9:03 AM, EDT

The families of two Montana women killed in an accident after a cement truck blew out a wheel are suing the trucking company and its tire provider in a lawsuit that claims retread tires are to blame.

Monte Beck, a Bozeman, Mont., attorney representing the women’s families, said he hopes the suit will send a message to trucking companies about the dangers of retread tires.

A group representing tire manufacturers said the industry stands behind the 18.7 million retreads sold to truckers in the United States and Canada last year.

Marisa Wolverton and Heidi Martinez were killed May 21 on U.S. 93 when a truck was sent careening head-on into their car after its left, front tire blew. The Polson Ready Mix Concrete Co. truck crossed into the opposite lane and hit a flatbed trailer, then Martinez’s car.

For the full story, see the Sept. 13 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.