Paul Walker's Father Suing Porsche For Actor's Death

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

Paul Walker’s father, acting on behalf of the late-actor’s estate, filed a lawsuit against Porsche this week for failing to include safety features, such as stability control, side impact protectors and a fuel-line cutoff that the family said could have saved the actor’s life in a crash, the Associated Press reported.

The 2005 Porsche Carrera GT lacked basic safety features to protect Walker in his fatal crash in November 2013, the wrongful death lawsuit alleges. A similar lawsuit was filed against Porsche by Walker’s widow and daughter in September. Porsche has denied wrongdoing in those lawsuits.

According to the report, Porsche said this month that the car Walker was riding in while Roger Rodas was driving — which spun out of control, hit three trees and burst into flames — had been modified and improperly maintained. Walker was “a knowledgeable and sophisticated user of the 2005 Carrera GT,” the company wrote in response to the lawsuit.

Walker’s estate is seeking unspecified damages in the lawsuit.

According to court documents, Walker’s family said the Porsche was traveling between 63 and 71 mph — not more than 94 mph, which investigators say caused the accident. An investigation by the California State Highway Patrol and Porsche blamed excessive speed for the crash.

Walker was taking a break from filming “Fast and Furious 7” when he died in the car crash. The film franchise is the most successful and profitable series in history of Universal film studios.


Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

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  • 46and2 46and2 on Nov 29, 2015

    "5 Used Bikes Too Dangerous For New Riders"...That's a great title for Captain Obvious to pen his first article. Listed as exhibit "B" is the 1999 Suzuki Hyabusa 1300cc with 175Hp and a top speed of 191+mph. Really?! That's not a good learner bike? It's like saying a Bugatti Veyron wouldn't make a good first car. Also, there was nothing defective with the Hyabusa, er....besides the fact that someone could walk in off the street and buy the damn thing. Caveat emptor! Be careful what you wish for.

  • Jthorner Jthorner on Nov 29, 2015

    What's next, suing alcoholic beverage makers for drunk driving? How about suing the government for not stopping people from taking illegal drugs like methamphetamine which then contribute to horrible accidents. I hope the courts throw this nonsense out.

  • Seabrjim Seabrjim on Nov 29, 2015

    About 10 years ago I was checking out the latest offerings at Philadelphia cycle. At the time my track bike was a GSXR 600. I saw a young guy carrying a toddler with his baby momma joyously looking at sportbikes. I inquired and found out this was his first bike! Tried to tell him rather forcefully yet politely ( in front of the pissed salesman) a litre bike is not a good first bike. I talked to him about my first bike, track days, Keith Code days, my 4 crashes (all in leathers)etc. I also told him to go to any bike dealer including the one he was in, and look behind the shop in the fenced in area. Wadded sportbikes, most from inexperienced riders. I also told him he would not out grow a 600, to no avail. I often wonder what happened to him. It is the buyers responsibility, even if the scumbag salesman just wanted a bigger commission.

    • IHateCars IHateCars on Dec 01, 2015

      There are sh!t-tons of squid "BikerBoyz" like that will buy a 'Busa, NOS it, extend the swingarm and jet around in a back protector and shorts while their helmet is strapped to the side of the bike because itz badazzz, yo! Ya can't help those guys....they'll find out the hard way after they highside while trying their first wheelie. Then the bike (or parts thereof) will be up for sale.

  • Carlisimo Carlisimo on Nov 29, 2015

    The fuel line cutoff sounds like a potentially valid thing. Can't say I know much about them, though. But why do all of Porsche's statements make it sound like Walker was the one driving? They need to focus on the guy who owned, maintained, and drove the car.

    • DenverMike DenverMike on Nov 29, 2015

      The lack of fuel cutoff has to be "race car" related. Bottoming-out hard or slamming a tire barrier could otherwise end the race for a driver with the car perfectly drivable, despite some body damage.

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