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Kia ordered to pay $10-million in fatal crash
©Associated Press
August 26, 2002
WEST PALM BEACH -- Jurors awarded $10-million to the family of a 19-year-old who died when her Kia sports utility vehicle rolled over near Orlando.
Angelique Cintron, a student at Florida State University, died on Florida's Turnpike in November 1997 when her Kia Sportage flipped over six times. Cintron had swerved when a car came into her lane.
The jury ruled that Kia Motors Inc. negligently designed the vehicle because it was unstable, the roof collapsed and the windshield popped out.
"It was a serious design failure in that car that failed to protect the occupant," jury foreman Bill Bradberry said after Friday's verdict.
Attorneys for Kia argued that Cintron died when her head hit the pavement, not from a lack of protection inside the car. They blamed the crash on Cintron's speed, her evasive steering and road rage of the driver of the car that swerved into her lane.
Witnesses testified that Cintron was not speeding.
Miriam Cintron said the jury's decision vindicates her daughter's death.
A Kia spokeswoman said it will appeal the ruling.
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