$3.7 Million Awarded to Victim in Car Rollover

A woman who lost a leg and suffered brain injuries in an Isuzu Rodeo rollover accident was awarded $3.7 million by a jury that found the auto company negligent in testing the sport utility vehicle.

Irene Gutierrez, now 23, was one of four passengers when the driver lost control while changing lanes at about 70 mph and the 1995 Rodeo tipped over on March 21, 1996.

Driver Richard Soliz, who suffered a separated shoulder, previously settled with Gutierrez and was dismissed as a defendant, said Christine Spagnoli, Gutierrez’s attorney. The other passengers received minor injuries.

Isuzu was ordered to pay about $3.7 million in combined economic and pain and suffering damages. Soliz was found partially responsible.

Isuzu Motors America Inc. had not decided if it would appeal Friday’s ruling, said Terry Maloney, vice president of corporate relations.

Maloney did not know if the 1995 Rodeo had been tested specifically for “rollover resistance.”

Gutierrez’s attorneys had the vehicle tested for rollover resistance and presented the jury evidence that the vehicle tipped at 42 mph.

Gutierrez, a college student at the time of the accident, now lives with her family. She suffers from memory loss and impaired judgment, and uses a prosthetic leg.