The GM Ignition Switch Defect and The Texas Manslaughter Charge
By the time this blog post goes live, GM will probably have made public the results of its internal investigation regarding how it responded to an ignition switch defect. Part of the inquiry involves delving into why GM apparently waited more than ten years to recall 2.6 million small cars with faulty ignition switches linked to at least 13 deaths. Reportedly, a Texas woman, Candice Anderson, was recently informed that a GM ignition defect was responsible for her fiance’s 2004 death, in connection with which she pled guilty to manslaughter. Apparently, she was driving a Saturn vehicle and her fiance had the misfortune of being the passenger. The car left the roadway without leaving any skid marks or other signs of causation. Anderson survived. Her fiance perished. Anderson happened to have trace amounts of anti-anxiety medication in her system. Anderson was charged with manslaughter, but pled guilty to negligent homicide. Anderson reportedly wants an apology from GM. Unless the statute of limitations has expired, we have a feeling that Anderson may be destined for more than an apology.
