Arizona woman killed in pick-up truck accident receives verdict of $4.2 million actual damages and $10 million punitive damages

Case Name:

Eugene Golonka, et al. v. General Motors Corporation

Case Number: CV98-11010

Date: 12/17/99

State: Arizona

Details:

Park to reverse claim by husband and children of 67-year-old woman who died under the wheels of her half-ton GMC truck in April 1997. Decedent, Ruth Golonka, age 67, a housewife, was killed on April 17, 1997, when her 1987 General Motors Corporation Sierra pickup truck slipped from a position between park and reverse, into reverse, and backed over her and killed her. Mrs. Golonka had stopped the truck to load a chair into the bed of the truck. When she lowered the tailgate, the truck's transmission shifted itself into reverse, and killed Mrs. Golonka.

Verdict Outcome:

Plaintiff verdict for $4.2 million actual damages and $10 million punitive damages.