An assistant general counsel for Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. who ran his company-owned SUV into another attorney in a crosswalk has been sanctioned for bringing a frivolous appeal in the case.
The California 2nd District Court of Appeal on Monday sanctioned Granville Webster Burns, Toyota Motor Corp. and the law firm representing him $5,000 for appealing a jury verdict that found him liable for running into Ann Grant, a Manhattan Beach, Calif., lawyer. The court also affirmed a ruling that ordered Burns and Toyota to pay $123,455 in fees and costs. Grant was crossing a street on Nov. 7, 2007, after walking her children to school when Burns hit her, according to court records.
