$40M Verdict In Ford Explorer Accident

A Lamar County woman, paralyzed after being run over by her Ford Explorer, has been awarded $40 million in damages. A DeKalb County jury agreed with Jessica Mundy that a transmission defect could cause Explorers to suddenly go from park to reverse and that led to the incident that paralyzed her in 2005. The award includes $30 million in punitive damages and $9 million in compensatory damages to the 26-year-old as well as $1 million to her husband. Ford Motor Co. and Legacy Ford in McDonough, where Mundy purchased the 2004 Explorer, were defendants. Ford officials didn't immediately return telephone calls seeking comment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating complaints that some Ford vehicles manufactured in model years 2002 through 2005 unexpectedly come out of park.

(Associated Press)