NHTSA Complaint #710855 — 1999 GMC SUBURBAN

VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE AT 65 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL. THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT COLUMN WAS STRUCK BY THE PASSENGER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SENT INTO REVERSE. THIS ACTION CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOCKUP AND THE CONTROL MECHANICAL LOCK ON THE WHEEL COLUMN WAS LOCKED INTO A RIGHT HAND TURN WITH NO WAY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHILCE STARTED TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL AND THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL OVER THREE TIMES. ALL OCCUPANTS WERE IN SAFTEY BELTS EXCEPT MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS INT THE BACK SEAT ASLEEP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. IT TOOK RESECUE CREWS TO REMOVE MYSELF THE DRIVER AND DAUGHTER WHO WAS TRAPPED IN THE BACK. WE WERE TRANSPORTED VIA AMBULANCE TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. ALL FIVE PASSENGERS WERE RELEASED WITH ONLY MINOR BRUISES AND CUTS. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT WHY THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK AND WHY A SAFETY FEATURE IS NOT PROVIDED TO KEEP THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING ACCIDENTLY PUT INTO REVERSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING IN DRIVE. PLEASE HELP ME FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM. *AK