Porsche has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the fatal car crash that killed actor Paul Walker. Walker was killed in 2013 when the Porsche Carrera GT he was riding in spun out of control and struck a row of trees.
U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez ruled on Tuesday that Kristine Rodas, the widow of the Carrera GT driver, Roger Rodas, failed to provided evidence that the high performance car’s suspension failed before the crash. Gutierrez also dismissed Rodas’ claim that the Carrera GT lacked sufficient safety equipment.
“Plaintiff has provided no competent evidence that Rodas’ death occurred as a result of any wrongdoing on the part of defendant,” Gutierrez wrote, according to The Detroit News.
Porsche is facing two other lawsuits stemming to the crash — one from Walker’s daughter and another filed by the actor’s father — but the German automaker maintains that excessive speed was the main cause of the wreck. Porsche also alleges that improper maintenance and modifications were factors in the crash.
Investigations by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol determined that high speed was the cause for the November 2013 crash. Investigators say the vehicle was traveling at 94mph at the time of the crash; Rodas maintains the Carrera GT was traveling at no more than 71mph. Investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure.
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