Porsche Sued by Wife of Driver in Paul Walker Crash; Ludacris Talks Working With Late Actor's Brothers on Fast & Furious 7

Kristine Rodas claims vehicle her husband and actor were traveling in lacked basic safety features

By Peter Gicas May 13, 2014 2:24 PMTags
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A lawsuit was filed against Porsche Monday by the widow of the man who was driving the Carerra GT that crashed and killed Paul Walker in November.

Kristine Rodas, wife of the late Roger Rodas, claims in the suit that the vehicle lacked a proper crash cage and other gas tank safety features. The suit also claims that a faulty part in the car's suspension system caused it to careen out of control and crash.

"The Carrera GT was unsafe for its intended use by reason of defects in is manufacture, design, testing, component and constituents, so that it would not safely serve its purpose," the lawsuit states.

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Kristine, who is suing for negligence, wrongful death and product liability, also says her husband was only driving 55 m.p.h. when the fatal crash occurred.

In March, results of an investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol determined that the speed of the car, which was said to be between 80 and 93 m.p.h., was the reason for the accident.

"Investigators determined the cause of the fatal solo-vehicle collision was unsafe speed for the roadway conditions," Commander Mike Parker explained at the time. "During the examination, it was determined that an aftermarket exhaust system had been installed which would have increased the engine's horsepower."

The California Highway Patrol's Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team conducted an exhaustive examination on the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT involved in the crash, including its history, safety recalls and repair records.

The Los Angeles Sheriff Department's investigators also consulted with experts from the Porsche and Michelin Corporations as part of their investigation.

Meanwhile, Fast & Furious 7, which Walker was working on at the time of his death, resumed filming last month.

His co-star, Ludacris, appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show this week and talked about working with Walker's brothers, Cody and Caleb, who are filling in for the late actor in order to complete some of his unfinished scenes.

"It's definitely a good thing," he told Ellen DeGeneres. "It's scary how much they look like him and sound like him."

Fast & Furious 7 is scheduled to arrive in theaters on Apr. 15, 2015.