Michigan appeals court says 2 Toyota executives can skip interviews in acceleration case
By APThursday, August 5, 2010
Mich. court rules for Toyota in deposition dispute
FLINT, Mich. — The Michigan appeals court says two executives at Toyota Motor Corp. can avoid depositions in a lawsuit alleging death from sudden acceleration.
The court said Thursday the executives had only general knowledge of the problem and no unique knowledge of the design of the 2005 Camry driven by Guadalupe Alberto of the Flint area.
The court, in a 2-1 ruling, overturned the decision of a Genesee County judge.
The executives are Yoshimi Inaba, president and chief operating officer of Toyota North America, and Jim Lentz, head of U.S. sales.
Appeals Judge Kathleen Jansen disagreed, saying executives should be held to the same standard as any other witness or party. She says Inaba and Lentz have made statements that may be relevant to the lawsuit.
