Glendale vs. Mercedes Benz

(Not the actual car; Flickr pic by MSC.)

Glendale residents are still scratching their heads over Mercedes-Benz North America's initial refusal to switch on a lo-jack style device to find the car that struck and killed 24-year-old Elizabeth Sandoval (who was flung 75 feet and died instantly) on July 10. The driver fled the scene.

Mercedes ignored two court orders to switch on the GPS device. Glendale Police detectives went public with Mercedes' refusal, in effect shaming them into finally activating the device.

The car was found soon after, abandoned in Van Nuys -- with some fresh body work done to hide the damage.

The man believed to be driving the car -- Ara Grigoryan, 20 -- was finally found in Mexico City, where he was trying to escape to Spain.

Glendale residents, meanwhile, flooded the mailbox of the Glendale News-Press criticizing Mercedes for dragging its feet:

I have certainly lost a great deal of respect for Mercedes-Benz. Since that company failed to cooperate with the Glendale Police in spite of two court orders requiring their assistance, perhaps Mercedes-Benz should be charged as an “accomplice after the fact” to this fatality.

Also, Mercedes-Benz may have damaged the Glendale Police Department’s investigation and their search for the suspected driver by delaying this process for several days.

This is a very unfortunate reflection on that company and I believe has tarnished its name immensely. Needless to say, I would never own a Mercedes-Benz.

CLAUDE SODERSTROM
Glendale

A woman was killed in that incident. Am I the only one in Glendale or Southern California that is appalled and disgusted with Mercedes-Benz’s actions? Why is there no outcry? Why is there no newspaper coverage? Why is there no TV coverage?

Do people just not care? Why did Mercedes refuse to honor a court order? I find it shocking and pathetic that there is no outcry from this community, and especially our local print media. And what has happened to our beloved City Council? I have not heard one word about this from any of them. I guess I am just alone in my thoughts

JIM GRUMBLEY
Glendale


It is just unbelievable that Mercedes-Benz would not assist with the location of the car that allegedly killed a girl (“Hunt is on for driver,” Saturday).

I am a current Mercedes-Benz owner, and this will make me think twice about buying another Mercedes-Benz.

As far as I’m concerned, get rid of the dealer in Glendale because Mercedes-Benz at this point is harboring a fugitive.

PETER BIESTERVELD
La Crescenta

The paper notes that the above letters were sent in before Mercedes reversed course and agreed to help out; but it's still interesting that this didn't get much press outside of Glendale.