Sophie Rollet, a French former childcare worker, embarked on a solitary investigation spanning over a decade to hold US auto equipment group Goodyear accountable for the death of her husband, Jean-Paul. Convinced that the collision that claimed her husband’s life was linked to the company’s tires, Rollet diligently gathered clues, data, and articles related to road accidents involving a specific model of Goodyear tires.

The fatal incident occurred on July 25, 2014, when Jean-Paul, aged 53, was driving his tanker truck on highway A36 in eastern France. His vehicle was struck by a semi-trailer whose front left tire had burst, causing both drivers to perish instantly. Motivated by her personal loss, Rollet embarked on a relentless quest for answers, uncovering a history of accidents associated with Goodyear Marathon LHS II tires.

Despite initial setbacks, including the closure of her husband’s case, Rollet’s determination led her to file a complaint for involuntary manslaughter in 2016. By sharing her meticulous findings with prosecutors in Besancon, she sought to shed light on the culpability of Goodyear in various tragedies caused by defective tires. An expert’s analysis supported Rollet’s claims, attributing the fatal blowout to a manufacturing flaw rather than external factors.

Drawing parallels to Erin Brockovich, the renowned American activist, Besancon prosecutor Etienne Manteaux praised Rollet’s courage and perseverance in spearheading the investigation. Media coverage and a documentary on her legal battle prompted further revelations, with a whistleblower providing incriminating internal documents to authorities. Subsequent raids on Goodyear sites across Europe marked a significant turning point in the pursuit of justice.

The Aftermath