Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global
Breaking news

Porsche the cause of the crash that killed actor Paul Walker, driver's widow claims in lawsuit

Kristine Rodas, widow of the driver of the Porsche Carrera GT, has filed suit blaming the car for the firey crash, not her husband's driving

Paul Walker

Paul Walker

Contributed

Paul Walker, star of the Fast and the Furious films, died last November 30th in a Los Angeles suburb in a one-car crash that had Walker as the passenger, and his friend and business partner Roger Rodas as the driver, who was taking the star for a brief joyride after a charity event.

The cause appeared to be excessive speed in a small office park, causing Rodas to lose control. Rodas was an active sports car racer in the Pirelli World Challenge sports car series, where he competed primarily in hot-rodded Ford Mustangs.

Roger Rodas
Roger Rodas

Photo by: James Holland

Now comes another interpretation of the crash of the red 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, a 600-horsepower V-10 mid-engine sports car which the company owned by Rodas and Walker bought through a broker from IndyCar driver Graham Rahal. New, the cars sold for just under $500,000.

The widow of Rodas is suing Porsche, alleging it designed a faulty vehicle. The wrongful death and negligence lawsuit was filed Monday in Los Angeles by Kristine Rodas.

Crashed Porsche of Paul Walker and Roger Rodas
Crashed Porsche of Paul Walker and Roger Rodas
The lawsuit against Porsche Cars North America claims the Carrera GT suffered from design flaws, and a ill-functioning suspension caused the crash. And while some authorities have said the speed prior to the accident was over 90 mph, Rodas' complaint says her husband was driving a conservative 55 mph before the Porsche skittered across curbs and a parking lot, hit a pole and struck a tree. The suit apparently does not mention that the Porsche, which had been driven only a few thousand miles in its nearly 10-year history, reportedly was still wearing its original tires.

According to the lawsuit, “The Carrera GT was unsafe for its intended use by reason of defects in its manufacture, design, testing, component and constituents, so that it would not safely serve its purpose." Porsche has yet to respond.

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Maria Sharapova reveals “Speedy by Sugarpova”
Next article Carroll Shelby honored at second annual Tribute and Car Show

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global