KC Jury Clears Ford in Death of Highway Patrolman

A jury in Kansas City says Ford Motor Company is not responsible for the death of a Missouri State Highway Patrolman and the serious injuries to a passenger in his car. The families of Trooper Michael Newton and passenger Michael Nolte had wanted $65-Million from Ford, claiming the placement of the gas tank on the police car made it dangerous when hit from the rear. The jury has ordered owners of the truck that hit the patrol car to pay the families $8.5-Million. But that’s a symbolic verdict because a pre-trial agreement capped the trucking company’s liability at about one-million dollars, which will be paid by its insurance company.