Jury Finds Dodge Dakota "Park to Reverse" Defect Killed Owner

David Lowe

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A Los Angeles, California jury has awarded $55 million to the wife of a man killed in an accident involving a park to reverse defect in a 1992 Dodge Dakota. The owner, Richard Mraz, placed the vehicle in what appeared to be "park position", began to walk away, and the vehicle started moving in reverse. Mraz tried to jump back in the vehicle to stop it while it was moving, but was run over and died from serious head injuries. The vehicle, owned by the victim's employer, had been recalled by the automaker, DaimlerChrysler, but the employer ignored 12 separate recall notices, DaimlerChrysler claimed. The jury verdict issued March 7, includes $5.2 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages.