Suit Against GM Alleges 8-Year-Old's Death Was Caused by Shifter Defect: Report

Brookfield, CT — General Motors is being sued by a Brookfield family for their alleged responsibility in their 8-year-old daughter's death, according to Law 360.

The family claims their daughter's death was caused by a defect on shifters in its Suburbans, the reports states.

Co-plaintiffs James and Rose O’Connor's daughter Margaret died in July 2011 when the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban she was in shifted from park to neutral and rolled down their driveway, crashing into trees, NBC Connecticut reports. The family claims their son Grant O’Connor experienced trauma after witnessing the accident, the lawsuit states.

Brookfield Police officer O'Brien will submit expert testimony after being in charge of the initial investigation, LAw 360 reported.

Margaret O'Connor, known as Maggie, was a student at Huckleberry Hill elementary School and passed away on July 13, 2011 as a result of the accident. She left behind four siblings, her obituary stated.

"Maggie had a joyful spirit and was loving to all. She was a living angel and her family members feel blessed for the time they spent with her," the family wrote.

Read the full story on Law 360 here.

Image by Toban B. via Flickr Creative Commons