Big-Bucks Truck Stop

GENERAL MOTORS DENIED THAT ITS SIDESADDLE gas tanks caused the death of Shannon Moseley, a 17-year-old killed when his 1985-model GMC pickup exploded three years ago. As it has in some 100 similar cases, GM called the driver the culprit.

The jury disagreed. Moved by a prosecutor’s prediction that without a recall, “more will burn, more will die,” visibly angered jurors granted $105 million in collective damages. GM’s ultimate loss depends on whether the Federal Government orders the company to recall all 4.7 million pickups and spend $500 million doing so.