2003 Dodge Neon electrical system problems

Entire electrical system failure while car was in operation + premature activation of airbag. Driver was forced to claw the airbag out of his way in order to maintain control of the vehicle, and steer it off the highway. There was no known tampering with the electrical system prior to this; car was used, but had only body work done to our knowledge. Heat damage to electrical system was so extensive that car was considered a total loss. Driver suffered some facial and neck injury--possibly others.

The fog light switch stopped working, therefore the fog lights were always on. After stopping at a friends house and the lights worked fine, the headlights and fog lights would not turn on, and the bright lights could only be turned on by pulling and holding the arm back. There was an odd smell, but I thought a fuse must have blown. Changing the fuse did not allow the lights to work. I drove the car home behind our other vehicle, and was stopped by the police with no headlights.