Jury Clears Volkswagen in Car Crash That Paralyzed Vermont Man

February 12, 2009

A jury says Volkswagen isn’t to blame for the injuries suffered by a Vermont man in a 2002 wreck that paralyzed him.

The suit stemmed from a Christmas Eve accident in Hanover, New Hampshire, in which a 1999 Jetta driven by Rebecca Beisswenger skidded off a road, hit an embankment and rolled over twice, causing the roof to collapse above 23-year-old Owen Milne, of South Burlington, who was left a paraplegic.

Volkswagen’s lawyers said the car met or exceeded safety standards and blamed the crash on aggressive driving.

On Monday, after nine hours of deliberations spanning two days, the jury in U.S. District Court in Burlington said Volkswagen isn’t responsible for the crash.

Topics Auto Personal Auto

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Latest Comments

  • February 13, 2009 at 1:25 am
    Runaway Jim says:
    Veedub might be guilty of building some of the worst quality/unreliable cars on the planet but they are not guilty in this instance. Clearly this woman doesn't know how to dr... read more
  • February 13, 2009 at 10:20 am
    tippy says:
    When did we become a country that punishes success? Why does someone with deep pockets have to paint a target on their wallet and live in fear of being sued? So sad.
  • February 13, 2009 at 7:56 am
    Anon says:
    "I don't don't blame the guy for trying to sue them. I probably would sue anyone with deep pockets I could in that situation or at least want to." ...that kind of thinking is ... read more

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