Posted: Saturday, September 1, 2007 12:00 am
State will get defibrillator dollars
NATICK, Mass. - Boston Scientific Corp. said Thursday that three of its subsidiaries agreed to pay $16.75 million and extend the warranty on some of its heart devices as part of a settlement with state attorneys general. Wyoming will receive $390,000 from the settlement, a state official said.
The affected devices were manufactured by Indianapolis-based Guidant Corp., which Boston Scientific acquired last year. A Boston Scientific spokeswoman said these defibrillators had been recalled during the past two years due to the possibility of malfunction.
Guidant Corp., Cardiac Pacemakers Inc. and Guidant Sales Corp. will pay a total of $16.75 million and admit no liability, under the terms of the agreement, according to a Boston Scientific statement. The agreement was reached with the attorneys general of 35 states and the District of Columbia.
Pat Crank, Wyoming attorney general, said the state's share is $390,000. He said that Wyoming consumers who purchased Guidant devices may be eligible for compensation.
Crash injures biker in rally
ROCK SPRINGS - A man trying to travel 11,000 miles in 11 days was injured when his motorcycle ran into the back of a vehicle on Interstate 80 in Sweetwater County.
David Derrick, 50, of Califon, N.J., crashed his BMW R1100RT on Wednesday while participating in the Iron Butt Rally, the Wyoming Highway Patrol reported.
Trooper Barry Tippy said Derrick had passed a truck and had moved into the right lane when he hit the back of a 2000 Oldsmobile.
Derrick was ejected from his motorcycle and suffered multiple internal injuries as well as several broken bones, Tippy said. Derrick was taken to a Utah hospital for treatment, he said.
Derrick's motorcycle was traveling at an estimated 80 mph, he said. Derrick was wearing the best available safety equipment, which probably saved his life.
Patrol investigates rock throwing
GREEN RIVER - A trucker was injured and two others reported damage to their rigs from rocks and a 2-liter bottle thrown from an Interstate 80 overpass Friday, the Wyoming Highway Patrol said.
The incident occurred at the Blue Rim Road overpass about two miles west of Green River, according to a news release from the patrol.
Two eastbound truckers reported damage to their vehicles from large rocks just before 2 a.m. Friday.
Shortly after, a third truck driver was slightly injured from flying glass when a 2-liter bottle thrown from the overpass hit his front windshield, the patrol said.
Funeral today for man in crash
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - A funeral is set in Princess Anne for a man with local roots who was killed in a small plane crash in Wyoming.
James Meyer, 53, was a co-pilot and spotter with the Wyoming Civil Air Patrol and died Aug. 20 while searching for a missing 16-year-old boy. The crash also killed the pilot and another volunteer.
Meyer is survived by his wife and six children.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. today at Olivet Christian Church in Eden, Md.