Evidence from a car's black box is being used as evidence against its owner who had been involved in a near-fatal highway accident on I-196 near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Prosecutors yesterday argued that Joanne Schaap had been speeding in a construction zone when she hit Brooks Hollemans, a 27-year-old worker who was repairing a pothole at the time. Hollemans spent three weeks in a coma.

The black box provides the main evidence that Schaap had been driving between 65 and 79 MPH in the 45 MPH construction zone. The only other evidence police have of Schaap's alleged speeding habit is a seven year old conviction for driving 40 MPH in a 30 zone in Wyoming.

Schaap also faces a second trial for the same offense as Hollemans' family plans to file civil charges.