WMWV – 93.5

Concord, NH – Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announces that New Hampshire has joined an $85 million multistate settlement with American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and Honda of
America Mfg., Inc. (collectively “Honda”), over allegations Honda concealed safety issues related to defects in the frontal airbag systems installed in certain Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the United States. The systems were designed and manufactured by Takata Corporation, a long-time Honda supplier, and were first installed in Honda vehicles in the 2001 model year.

The settlement, reached between the attorneys general of 48 states and jurisdictions and Honda, concludes a multistate investigation into Honda’s alleged failure to inform regulators and
consumers that frontal airbags installed in certain Honda and Acura vehicles posed a significant risk of rupture, which could cause metal fragments to fly into the passenger compartment. The ruptures have resulted in at least 14 deaths and over 200 injuries in the United States alone.

The states have alleged that Honda engineers suspected that ammonium nitrate, which was used as a propellant in the airbags, could burn aggressively and cause the inflator to burst. Despite
these concerns, Honda delayed warning consumers or automobile safety officials, even as it began partial recalls of affected vehicles in 2008 and 2009. Further, despite these concerns,
Honda continued to represent to consumers that its vehicles, including its airbags, were safe. Since 2008, Honda has recalled approximately 12.9 million Honda and Acura vehicles equipped
with the suspect inflators.

The states have alleged that Honda’s actions, and its failures to act, as well as its misrepresentations about the safety of its vehicles, were unfair and deceptive, and that Honda’s
conduct violated state consumer protection laws, including New Hampshire’s Consumer Protection Act, RSA 358-A.

Under the terms of the consent judgment, which will be filed in Merrimack County Superior Court, Honda has agreed to strong injunctive relief, including:

~ Taking steps to ensure that future airbag designs include “fail-safe” features to protect passengers in the event the inflator ruptures;

~ Adopting changes to its procurement process for new frontal airbags to ensure that its suppliers have the appropriate industry certifications and satisfy key industry performance standards, as well as improve record-keeping and parts tracking;

~ Implementation of recurrence prevention procedures designed to prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again, such as requiring that Honda approve all new frontal airbag designs before the company will consider them for use in new Honda vehicles;

~ Prohibitions on misleading advertisements and point of sale representations regarding the safety of Honda’s vehicles, including the airbags;

~ Making improvements in critical areas such as risk management, quality control, supplier oversight, training and certifications, and implementing mandatory whistleblower protections.

Honda has agreed to pay the participating states more than $84 million, of which New Hampshire’s share is $1,013,119.81. Honda has also agreed to pay $1 million to the National Association of Attorneys General, which facilitated and assisted in this multistate investigation.

Consumers who own a Honda or Acura vehicle are strongly encouraged to visit Honda’s airbag recall website at https://hondaairbaginfo.com, or call its Customer Service toll-free number at
(888) 234-2138, to see if their vehicle is subject to a recall. Consumers may also check for open recalls by going to Safercar.gov. All safety recall repairs are free at authorized Honda dealers.

Bartlett: On Saturday, August 22, at approximately 10:40 a.m. 911 Dispatch received a call for assistance for an injured hiker on the Table Mountain trail in Bartlett NH.  The hiker was identified as Mark Burzynski from Campton NH.  Mark was hiking with his wife and two other hiking companions.  The group was hiking down from the summit of Table Mountain when Mark slipped and injured his knee.  He was unable to bear weight.  His hiking companions called 911 for assistance.  NH Fish and Game responded along with member of the US Forest Service and Lakes Region Search and Rescue.  The rescuers arrived at Mark’s location at 1:05 p.m.  Mark was loaded in a litter and carried to the trailhead parking area arriving at approximately 3:00 p.m. No further information is available at this time.

Berlin: During the late morning of Saturday, August 22, 2020, A Rhode Island man sustained significant injuries after rolling his rented UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) on a trail in Jericho Mountain State Park.  At approximately 11:15 AM, authorities received a call for help in reference to a crash that had occurred on the Buford’s Way Trail.  Personnel from Berlin Fire and Berlin EMS subsequently responded to the scene and located Salvatore Guido, 49, of Westerly, Rhode Island suffering from multiple serious but non-life-threatening injuries.  Guido was transported from the scene via a specially equipped off road rescue vehicle provided by the Berlin Fire Department and subsequently taken to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin by Berlin EMS for further evaluation and treatment.

This incident was investigated by a responding NH Fish and Game Department Conservation Officer.  Guido was found to be wearing a helmet, eye protection and safety restraint at the time of the incident.  Guido was found to be a novice rider as it related to UTV operation, and the crash was precipitated by hitting a rock while negotiating a downhill slope.

Bean’s Purchase: On the afternoon and evening of Saturday, August 22, 2020, rescue personnel worked to assist a hiker out of the woods who had injured himself during a fall on the Appalachian Trail. Shortly after 5:00 PM, Conservation Officers from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department were alerted to a rescue call placed for a hiker who had slipped and sustained a significant arm injury during a fall.  The patient, Alan Harzewski, 47, of Meriden, Connecticut was reported be in significant pain and requesting medical aid to assist him in getting out of the woods. Upon receiving the call, authorities worked to pinpoint Harzewski’s location and formulate a plan for his extraction. Conservation Officers were able to speak with Harzewski and a hiking companion and determined them to be in the area of Mount Carter, approximately 5 miles from the nearest road.  Harzewski was given directions on slinging and immobilizing his injured arm, as well as a route to take to get out to Route 16 in Gorham.  Harzewski was then directed to begin hiking toward the road while additional resources were obtained.

Conservation Officers called on the assistance of several members of the Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team (AVSAR) to provide medical expertise and assistance to Harzewski.  These volunteers assembled in Gorham and hiked up the Stoney Brook Trail, making contact with Harzewski and his hiking companion at approximately 9:40 PM.  Harzewski was subsequently evaluated and provided with additional aid before being escorted out to Stoney Brook Road.  The rescue party arrived safely roadside at approximately 10:15 PM.  Following the rescue, transportation was arranged to get Harzewski to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin for further evaluation and treatment of this injuries.

Harzewski was found to be a well-prepared and experienced hiker who had been the victim of an unfortunate injury sustained during a common hiking accident.

Source: NH Fish and Game Press Release