Paul Walker’s Death Wasn’t Porsche’s Fault, Car Company Says

Automaker denies responsibility for crash that killed “Furious 7” star

Porsche denies responsibility for Paul Walker Crash (Getty)
Getty Images

Porsche has fired back at a lawsuit claiming that the company is at fault in the crash that killed “Fast & Furious” franchise star Paul Walker and his driver, Roger Rodas, claiming in new court papers that the company was not responsible for the November 2013 crash.

In its response to a complaint filed by Rodas’ widow, Kristine M.. Rodas, Porsche Cars North America places the blame on Rodas himself, and also suggests that the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT was “misused or improperly maintained,” which “contributed to the alleged incident and to the injuries, loss, and damages, if any.”

Rodas filed suit in May 2014, claimed that the crash, which killed both Walker and Roger Rodas, occurred because of a failure in the car’s suspension system, as well as a lack of proper safety features.

In its answer to the complaint, Porsche claims, “Roger Rodas’ death, and all other injuries or damages claimed, were the result of Roger Rodas’ own comparative fault.”

Porsche “alleges that Roger Rodas knowingly and voluntarily assumed all risk, perils and danger in respect to the operation or use of the subject 2005 Carrera GT.”

The car company also says that the car “was abused and altered after being placed into the stream of commerce in a manner that was not reasonable foreseeable” to Porsche. “That abuse and alteration reasonably caused or contributed to the alleged incident and to the injuries, loss and damage, if any.

Walker and Rodas died in a crash in Santa Clarita, Calif., in November 2013. Walker had been attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide. The posted speed limit in the area is 45 mph. However, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which said the crash was the result of “unsafe speed,” estimated that the car was traveling between 80 and 93 mph when it collided with a power pole and several trees.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report

Comments