General Motors Asks Judge To Dismiss Ignition Switch Case Over 'Fabricated' Key

Aug 24, 2016 10:30 AM EDT | Irene Cabrera

General Motors requested a Texas judge on Monday to dismiss a lawsuit filed against them over a faulty ignition switch, claiming that one of the plaintiff's evidences - the car key - was fabricated.

However, Harris Country Judge Robert Schaffer dismissed the car-manufacturing company's attempted bid to throw the case mid-trial but will give orders to the jurors that the key presented to them is not the same key used by Zachary Stevens to drive the 2007 Saturn Sky, according to the Detroit Free Press.

In 2011, Stevens was involved in a crash wherein he crossed over the centerline and hit a truck, which resulted in the death of the truck's driver. Steven and his family argued that the car's loss of power was the reason for the accident and that the key slipped to the "off" position.

General Motors, who brought up the time it recalled 2.6 million vehicles back in 2014, countered by claiming that Stevens, his parents and their lawyers are trying to bolster their case by accusing them of "fabricating" a key that was allegedly used during the crash.

General Motors went on to explain that having additional keys and other objects attached alongside the car key can cause switches to interchange out of its position and turn off the power on brakes, airbags and steering, according to Reuters.

General Motors claimed in their motion on Monday that Stevens originally said he drove with only a few objects attached to the car key. However, the key chain consisting three rings that was shown to the jurors had additional objects such as an Eiffel tower souvenir and a gym membership card.

The lawyers for the plaintiffs then said in a court filing later on in the evening that the key showed in court was not the one from the crash. However, it accused General Motors of instigating a "criminal conspiracy" in the case.

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