Porsche bosses deny responsibility in Paul Walker's death
Executives at Porsche have declared faulty mechanics are not to blame for Paul Walker's fatal car crash, in response to the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the actor's daughter Meadow on Monday (28Sep15).
Nearly two years after the Fast & Furious star was killed in a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT driven by his friend Roger Rodas, Walker's 16-year-old daughter sued bosses at the car company, accusing them of negligence.
In her lawsuit, she claimed design flaws caused her father to be
trapped in the sports car, rendering him unable to escape as the
vehicle burst into flames.
On Tuesday (29Sep15), Porsche chiefs responded to the lawsuit in a
statement which reads: "As we have said before, we are very sad
whenever anyone is hurt in a Porsche vehicle, but we believe the
authorities' reports in this case clearly establish that this
tragic crash resulted from reckless driving and excessive
speed."
Executives previously insisted the tragedy was caused by Rodas'
driving after his widow Kristine filed a similar lawsuit against
Porsche's North American bosses last year (14).
At the time, Porsche attorneys responded, "Roger Rodas' death, and
all other injuries or damages claimed, were the result of Roger
Rodas' own comparative fault... (He) chose to conduct himself in a
manner so as to expose himself and others to such perils, dangers
and risks."
In light of Meadow's lawsuit, an attorney for Rodas' family sided
with the actor's daughter, telling Entertainment Tonight, "The
Walker family, like the Rodas family, would not have to grieve
their loss if Porsche hadn't put a faulty product on the road."
Meadow's lawyer Jeff Milam adds, "It is with great reluctance that
Meadow Walker has authorized the filing of this lawsuit on her own
behalf and as heir to Paul Walker's estate... She's a teenage girl
who is still dealing with the tragic loss of her father. She values
her privacy and won't be making any comment. We ask everyone to
respect that."