Engineer Testifies in Ford Motor Co. Case

Associated Press

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Electromagnetic interference caused the sudden acceleration of the Ford Explorer involved in a 1999 wreck that killed one woman and left another a quadriplegic, according to testimony from an engineer in a lawsuit against the automaker and other companies.

Electrical engineering consultant Antony Anderson gave demonstrations in testimony Friday of electromagnetic interference using motors, steel and a battery-powered watch to show the visual impact of something he said you can't see but does exist.

Anderson also testified it was his opinion the cause of the sudden acceleration was electrical, something he also said the customer does not control.

The lawsuits against Ford Motor Co., TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. and D&D Motors Inc. question the vehicle's occupant restraint system, electronic cruise control, vehicle body and chassis.

Plaintiff's attorneys have said the vehicle accelerated and "took off" on Interstate 385 in Laurens County.

Defense attorneys have said the two women weren't wearing seat belts when the 1995 Ford Explorer wrecked.

The trial was expected to continue Saturday.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information from: The Greenville News, http://www.greenvillenews.com