Isuzu Cleared in Rollover Case

A Los Angeles jury cleared Isuzu Motors Ltd. on Monday of responsibility for a rollover wreck in which the driver of one of its Rodeo sport utility vehicles lost an arm.

The accident occurred on the night of Jan. 2, 1999, in Imperial County, as Elpidia Medel Toledo was returning home to Santa Barbara from a visit to Mexicali.

According to testimony in the case, Toledo was traveling about 65 mph when she swerved to avoid an animal on the road, causing the SUV to flip over.

Her lawyer contended that the Rodeo was dangerously unstable and had a weak roof, while Isuzu lawyers blamed Toledo’s injuries on driver error.

After deliberating for half a day, the jury in Los Angeles Superior Court rejected the defective product claim by a 10-2 vote.

“We’re pleased that the jury decided it this way,” said Vince Galvin, a lawyer for Isuzu and its Cerritos-based U.S. distributor, American Isuzu Motors Inc.

“I am disappointed for my client,” said Toledo’s lawyer, Michael Piuze.

“I am also disappointed for the safety of all of the people out there who don’t know how unsafe these vehicles are.”

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-- Myron Levin