U.S. transportation officials say they have confirmed an eighth U.S. death due to an explosive airbag made by auto parts maker Takata.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spokesman Gordon Trowbridge said Wednesday a teen driver died a hospital a few days after being injured in a July crash near Pittsburgh. He said NHTSA learned of the death last week after a lawyer for the teen's family contacted the agency.
Japanese air bag maker Takata Corp. Chairman and CEO Shigehisa Takada bows during a press conference regarding the expanding recall of his company's airbags, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, File)NHTSA also announced that former Justice Department official John Buretta has been selected to serve as an independent monitor to oversee Takata's compliance with an airbag recall agreement with the government.
In the U.S., about 23 million Takata air bag inflators have been recalled on 19 million vehicles sold by 12 auto and truck makers.