DETROIT - GM and OnStar's Stolen Vehicle Slowdown (SVS) service helped safely recover a 2009 Chevrolet Impala belonging to State Senator Terry Burton, stolen in Jackson, Miss., according to GM.

Senator Burton immediately called OnStar to report his Chevrolet Impala had been stolen on May 6.

Once OnStar advisors verified with law enforcement that the Impala was stolen and the senator had requested assistance, they were able to quickly locate the Impala and alert the Hinds County Sheriff Department officers of its location. When officers had the vehicle in sight, they requested that Stolen Vehicle Slowdown be initiated and the vehicle was safely slowed to a stop.

"This technology is extremely helpful to not only our officers, but to the public as well," said Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin. "I was very pleased with the experience and the fact that OnStar was able to help us curtail a high-speed chase, which too often has disastrous results."

Since its launch in October 2008, OnStar's Stolen Vehicle Slowdown service has been deployed nearly 60 times, according to GM.

"I am very impressed with OnStar's ability to not only locate a stolen vehicle, but to slow it down and ultimately recover it. I am pleased my Impala was returned to me without damage, but even more grateful that no one was injured during the commission of this crime," said Senator Burton.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, 334 people were killed in the U.S. in crashes that resulted from police pursuits in 2008. Stolen Vehicle Slowdown helps eliminate high speed pursuits, and greatly reduces the chance of damage to property or personal injury, said GM.