Feds took cash, halted probe of GM truck hazard

LOS ANGELES Despite evidence of danger, federal regulators droppedan investigation that could have led to a recall of certain GeneralMotors trucks in exchange for a payment of $51 million for safetyprograms.

In 1993, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration foundthat the risk of burning to death in side-impact crashes was three tosix times higher for C- and K-series GM trucks than comparable-sizeFord and Dodge pickups.

But instead of a recall, which could have forced GM to retrofit oreven buy back the trucks at great cost, the company was allowed tosettle for $51.4 million, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

Since the …