GM drops countersuit against parents of Troy teen hurt in e-bike crash with company-owned truck
The family of a teen pinned under a GMC Canyon at John R and Square Lake roads last summer is suing General Motors, which owned the truck. GM withdrew a countersuit against the parents Tuesday.
By OCJ Staff
General Motors on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 20, withdrew a countersuit it had filed this month against the parents of a Troy teenager who was badly hurt when a GM-owned pickup hit him while he rode an e-bike, WXYZ reported.
The family sued earlier this year and is seeking damages for pain and suffering, according to WXYZ. The station's report did not say which court the case is in. The Journal is not naming the teen, who was 14 at the time of the crash.
The crash
The crash happened last summer at John R Road and Square Lake Road in Troy, WXYZ reported. The teen was riding an e-bike on the sidewalk when a white GMC Canyon hit him and pinned him underneath. An off-duty Troy firefighter's dash camera recorded it.
He suffered six broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung and a bruised liver, according to WXYZ. The family's attorney told the station the teen was stuck under the truck for 15 minutes.
Police cited the driver, who was not named in WXYZ's report, for careless driving, WXYZ reported. The teen was not cited; he was not wearing a helmet. The driver's attorney declined to comment to the station.
The dispute
The family's attorney, Lawrence Kazy, told WXYZ the truck was owned by GM and driven by a GM employee. He is relying on Michigan's owner's liability law and a claim of negligent entrustment, and says the teen entered the crosswalk on a walk signal.
The two sides disagree about what the teen was riding:
- GM originally argued it was an e-moto, a vehicle that requires registration and licensing and that no one under 18 can legally ride, WXYZ reported.
- Kazy says it was a Class 3 e-bike under 750 watts.
- Troy police told WXYZ that Class 3 e-bikes are treated like bicycles: they are allowed on sidewalks, riders must be 14 or older, and a helmet is required.
In a statement, GM said it will "respect the legal process as this matter proceeds through the court."
Sources: WXYZ-TV Channel 7 (Oct. 20), including statements from GM, attorney Lawrence Kazy and the Troy Police Department.