A Broward County jury has hit Chinese parts maker Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology Co., Ltd. with a $603 million verdict over the death of Destiny Byassee, a 22-year-old Boca Raton mother of two who was killed when a replacement airbag allegedly exploded during a low-speed crash. Jurors found that the inflator sent metal fragments into Byassee’s throat, turning what her lawyers say should have been a survivable collision into a fatal one. The award ranks as one of the largest single-case verdicts tied to counterfeit automotive safety parts and comes as federal regulators are ramping up scrutiny of illegally imported inflators.
Verdict Details
In a statement from Morgan & Morgan, the firm said the Broward County jury divided the $603 million verdict into $243 million in compensatory damages and $360 million in punitive damages. The statement noted that attorneys Andrew Parker Felix and Steven E. Nauman represented Byassee’s estate and family at trial. The lawyers framed the ruling as a warning shot to companies and suppliers that deal in counterfeit safety components.
How A Counterfeit Inflator Ended Up In Her Car
The estate’s complaint and related reporting state that the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu Byassee was driving had previously been in a collision, after which its airbag modules were replaced during repairs. An illegal inflator marked as a DTN unit was later installed in the vehicle. The plaintiff alleges that this DTN-made inflator ruptured during a minor crash on June 11, 2023, sending shrapnel through the cabin and fatally injuring Byassee. Repairer Driven News notes that the estate says Byassee never knew the replacement inflator was counterfeit.
Federal Safety Probe And NHTSA Action
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating DTN inflators and in April 2026 issued an initial decision that certain DTN frontal driver inflators contain a safety-related defect and are tied to multiple deaths. NHTSA has urged collision shops and parts suppliers to stop installing suspect inflators and is considering a permanent ban on their sale or import into the United States. The agency also advises owners who think their vehicle may contain an affected inflator not to drive the car and to contact NHTSA or law enforcement for guidance.
Legal Fallout And What Comes Next
Morgan & Morgan said the punitive damages were intended to punish the manufacturer and that the firm plans to pursue collectible assets from DTN. “This verdict is a critical first step toward ensuring that companies around the world that manufacture counterfeit airbag components are held accountable for their misconduct,” the firm said in its statement. Local coverage of the ruling was also reported by the Boca Raton Tribune.
What Owners And Repair Shops Should Do
NHTSA continues to urge collision shops, salvage operators and used-car buyers to verify the provenance of airbag parts and to rely only on vendors whose components can be traced and confirmed. Vehicle owners who suspect their car contains a DTN-marked inflator are advised to contact NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or file a complaint online and, if instructed, reach out to local Homeland Security Investigations or FBI offices for further guidance. The verdict could also add pressure on insurers and repair networks to tighten oversight of replacement-parts sourcing in an effort to prevent similar tragedies.
