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Paul Walker’s Daughter Sues Porsche Alleging Car Failures Led To Fatal Crash

Nearly two years after the fiery crash in Santa Clarita, the daughter of the late Paul Walker is suing Porsche, claiming that the car in which her father died in lacked safety features needed for a racing car.


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A complaint was filed on behalf of 16-year-old Meadow Rain Walker on Monday, alleging Porsche failed to install an electronic stability control system to protect the car from swerving and used “side door reinforcement bars that lacked adequate welds and consisted of material weaker in strength than what is used in popular mass-market cars, such as the Honda Civic, which is designed and built to be operated at speeds much slower than the Carrera GT,” according to the suit. Roger Rodas's Wife Sues Porsche Over Crash That Killed Paul Walker

The seat belts were anchored “in such a way that when the car broke apart upon impact, the shoulder belt anchors traveled with the rear engine compartment while the seat belt anchors remained with the passenger compartment,” according to the complaint. “This snapped Walker’s torso back with thousands of pounds of force, thereby breaking his ribs, pelvis, flattening his seat and trapping him in a supine position, where he remained alive until the vehicle erupted into flames.”

The suit adds that the fire was allegedly caused by rubber fuel lines that lacked break-free fittings to automatically shut down fuel flow.

The wife of the driver of the car, Roger Rodas, previously sued Porsche, alleging the suspension on the car failed and caused the crash.

Previous Story: Roger Rodas’ Wife Sues Porsche Over Crash That Killed Paul Walker

“The bottom line is that the Porsche Carrera GT is a dangerous car. It doesn’t belong on the street,” Walker’s attorney, Jeff Milam, said in a statement to CNN. “And we shouldn’t be without Paul Walker or his friend, Roger Rodas.”

Calvin Kim with Porsche Cars North America said the automaker hasn’t seen the lawsuit and wouldn’t comment on specifics, according to CNN.

“As we have said before, we are saddened whenever anyone is hurt in a Porsche vehicle, but we believe the authorities’ reports in this case clearly established that this tragic crash resulted from reckless driving and excessive speed,” Kim said, in an interview with CNN.

Previous Story: Porsche Responds To Roger Rodas, Paul Walker Crash Lawsuit

UPDATE: Paul Walker, Roger Rodas Crash Reportedly Caused By SpeedPaul Walker and Rodas were killed on Nov. 30, 2013, in a single-vehicle car collision in the Valencia industrial park.

“(Roger Rodas) was driving a red Porsche Carrera GT at an unsafe speed, approximately 100+ mph, in the No. 1 eastbound lane on Hercules Street, approaching Constitution,” according to the Coroner’s Office report.

Previous Story: UPDATE: Paul Walker, Roger Rodas Crash Reportedly Caused By Speed

“For unknown reasons, the driver lost control of his vehicle, and the vehicle partially spun around, and began traveling in a southeast direction. The vehicle then struck a curb, and the driver’s side of the vehicle struck a tree and then a light post,” the report continued.

The force of the collision then spun the car around again, and the passenger’s side struck a tree and the vehicle burst into flames, according to notes from Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, who were the investigators first on the scene.

“Investigators determined the cause of the fatal solo-vehicle collision was unsafe speed for the roadway conditions,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Commander Mike Parker said in March 2014, according to CNN.

The posted speed limit on Kelly Johnson Parkway, where the crash occurred, was 45 mph.

The lawsuit alleges the Porsche was traveling between 63-71 mph before it “suddenly went out of control” and “that Paul Walker survived the physical forces of the collision and was alive” when the car became engulfed in flames.Fans Host Memorial In Santa Clarita One Year After Paul Walker,

An autopsy revealed “scant soot” in Walker’s trachea, suggesting his life ended before the smoke and fire engulfed the car, according to CNN. The actor’s body was badly burned “and in a pugilistic stance. His right wrist was fractured and his left arm was fractured,” the report said.

Rodas was also described as in “a pugilistic” — or defensive — position, according to CNN. Walker suffered fractures of his left jawbone, collarbone, pelvis, ribs and spine and Rodas “rapidly died of severe blunt head, neck and chest trauma,” the report said.

Previous Story: Paul Walker Family Sues Roger Rodas Family For $1.8M

Walker was in Santa Clarita Valley for a toy drive to benefit his nonprofit and was the passenger in the Porsche Carrera GT that Rodas was driving.

Paul Walker is best known for playing Brian O’Connor in the “Fast and Furious” films. He had filmed part of “Furious Seven” before the collision. His brothers were used as body doubles and computer-generated images superimposed his face onto his brother’s for the character’s last scenes.

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Paul Walker’s Daughter Sues Porsche Alleging Car Failures Led To Fatal Crash

4 comments

  1. You’re going 100 miles on a side street. Nobody forced them to go that fast….that was driver who made that decision. Absolutely no reason to sue! Hope they lose that case

  2. It is a terrible tragedy that happened that day and everyone who is surviving the tragic loss is sure to want justice in some way. Unfortunately the bottom line is a terrible high speed crash in an area that was not secure in any way for the situation that occurred. Prayers to the family and survivors. We all miss Paul. His legend will live on. I am so very sorry for this unnecessary losses on that day.

  3. Furthermore I ask what a car manufacturer like porsche can expect when a street legal race car can be sold to anyone with a driver’s license. With no experience or requirements to understand the true power and consequences of driving this type of vehicle. You cant just jump in a nascar. This will definitely not be the last time something like this happens. Maybe the people that are buying these types of vehicles to drive on public streets should be required to take a special performance vehicle driving course instead of just having the money to afford them.Ya think??

  4. I like that they should shue them because that was dumb of the drive that was driving the car that my favorite movie actress forever i like him probably more than anybody in the world except his daughter.

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About Jessica Boyer

Jessica is an award-winning journalist, photographer, videographer and artist. She has worked with news organizations including NBC Los Angeles, KHTS AM 1220, and the Pierce College Roundup News. She is studying to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis on Photojournalism and a minor in Communications at California State University, Northridge. She has studied and worked in many fields including filmmaking, journalism, studio photography, and some graphic design. She began her journalism journey at the Arroyo Seco Conquestador News Network and the Saugus High School News Network.