The family of Antonio Gaston, a 53-year-old father of four, is taking legal action nearly a year after his tragic death at Stellantis’ Toledo Assembly Complex. Accompanied by their legal representatives, the family is set to hold a press conference today at noon to announce a lawsuit against Stellantis North America and other parties they believe are responsible for the fatal incident.
Gaston, a proud member of United Auto Workers Local 12, had dedicated 12 years of service to Stellantis. On August 21, 2024, while working on the Jeep Gladiator production line, Gaston suffered a fatal accident at the company’s Toledo facility. According to the lawsuit, his death occurred as a result of the removal of critical safety equipment from the production line—an alleged decision that, the family claims, placed workers at unnecessary risk.
The family’s legal complaint, a copy of which is expected to be released later today, seeks to hold Stellantis and others accountable for what they describe as preventable negligence. WTOL 11 will broadcast the announcement live on WTOL 11+, their free TV streaming platform.
So far, Stellantis has not issued a formal public statement in response to the lawsuit. WTOL 11 has reached out for comment. Previously, Stellantis spokesperson Ann Marie Fortunate addressed production changes at the Toledo Assembly Complex, noting temporary operational suspensions at the South Plant—where the Jeep Gladiator is manufactured—were implemented to “enhance efficiency and competitiveness” in the U.S. market. These remarks, however, did not specifically address Gaston’s death or the safety concerns raised in the complaint.
The tragedy also drew the attention of federal safety regulators. In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Stellantis for a serious safety violation in connection with Gaston’s death. OSHA’s investigation found the company failed to implement adequate safety measures to protect employees from crushing hazards on the Jeep Gladiator production line. Stellantis was subsequently fined $16,131 for the infraction.
For Gaston’s family, the legal action represents not only a pursuit of justice for Antonio’s untimely passing but also a call for improved safety measures to protect other workers from similar tragedies. Friends, coworkers, and community members remember Gaston as a dedicated father, a hard-working union member, and a man who took pride in his role at Stellantis.
The press conference is expected to provide further details on the lawsuit, the safety concerns at the plant, and the family’s hopes for accountability and change.
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