Lawsuit Filed Against Hippie Whippy After Michigan Driver Causes Fatal Crash

Multiple defendants have been named in a wrongful death lawsuit concerning the death of a 71-year-old man. The crash occurred on Nov. 13, 2022, around 2:30 p.m. near I-96. According to the lawsuit, 22-year-old Collin Cramer from Fowlerville had been using nitrous oxide while driving westbound on I-96 when he lost consciousness and control of his vehicle, crossing three lanes of traffic and went into oncoming traffic in the eastbound lanes. This, in fact, occurred after Cramer inhaled Hippie Whippy, a nitrous oxide product available over the counter. Cramer then smashed into the car that the decedent was driving. The decedent had to be extracted from the vehicle and later died of his injuries. An attorney representing the plaintiff said, “he broke literally every bone in his body.”

The lawsuit indicates that the police found Cramer at the scene of the accident with a nitrous oxide canister between his legs and a plastic gas-release nozzle on the floor of his car. The lawsuit contends that inhalation of nitrous oxide played a significant role in the events leading up to the decedent’s death.

According to the lawsuit, specific businesses contributed negligence to the decedent’s death. This includes Hippie Whippy, which sold and marketed nitrous oxide, a substance often abused for its intoxicating effects. The named defendants include Elite Gas, LLC, a Delaware-based limited liability company.

According to the lawsuit, Elite Gas, LLC allegedly conducted business transactions in Michigan that contributed to the plaintiff’s injuries and death, “engaged in tortious acts,” and sold nitrous oxide under the brand name “Hippie Whippy” through its website, hippiewhippy.com, and “marketed and distributed large nitrous oxide canisters nationwide, including Michigan.

Other named defendants include Mr. Vapor and Smoker’s Depot, Inc. The owners of these businesses are accused of facilitating the sale of nitrous oxide for recreational inhalation, which led to the catastrophic accident that cost the decedent his life.

Nitrous oxide is commonly referred to as “Whip-Its” or “hippie crack.” It is frequently abused as an inhalant. While it is sold legally for food-grade purposes, it is also widely abused for its euphoric effects. The lawsuit contends that Elite Gas and the other named defendants sold Hippie Whippy to individuals who intended to use it for intoxicating purposes. The lawsuit further contends the product was marketed in a way that encouraged recreational abuse. In addition, the company is being blamed for selling nitrous oxide to customers who would likely use the product while driving.

When it comes to alcohol, manufacturers and distributors generally cannot be held liable for DUI accidents that result in death. Florida has laws that limit the liability of “dram shops” (liquor stores and bars). However, it remains to be seen whether or not the plaintiffs can hold Hippie Whippy liable for this wrongful death.

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Halpern, Santos & Pinkert represent the interests of plaintiffs in product liability lawsuits filed against negligent companies. Call our Florida personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin investigating your claims today.

Source:

clickondetroit.com/news/local/2025/01/30/lawsuit-accuses-driver-of-inhaling-hippie-whippy-when-he-crashed-killing-man-on-i-96/