April 05--A federal judge has dismissed a wrongful-death suit claiming that automaker Porsche can be held liable for the crash that killed "The Fast and the Furious" actor Paul Walker and another man in 2013, court documents show.
The suit was brought by Kristine Rodas, whose husband, Roger, was driving the Carerra GT when it crashed and caught fire in Santa Clarita on Nov. 30, 2013.
In a ruling handed down Monday, U.S. District Judge Philip Guttierrez found that Rodas had not presented sufficient evidence to prove a number of design flaws with the Carerra GT led to the crash.
Rodas had argued that mechanical issues, including the vehicle's lack of a crash cage and a failure of the vehicle's suspension, led to the crash. Rodas had also claimed her husband was driving the speed limit on the day of the fatal wreck, even though the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department determined the vehicle was going at least 90 mph when it struck several trees and a concrete street light on Hercules Street.
Both men died within seconds of the wreck. Walker died from a combination of traumatic injuries and burns, while Rodas died on impact, coroner's officials determined.
The ruling does not affect wrongful-death suits brought last year by Walker's widow and daughter. In separate claims, both argued the German car manufacturer ignored safety regulations when loading Roads' Carerra GT with an engine capable of speeds up to 205 mph.
In response papers filed late last year, Porsche said the actor was to blame for his death.
Attorneys representing the actor's daughter, Meadow Walker, said Tuesday that the ruling in the federal lawsuit had no bearing on their pending case.
A significant portion of the judge's decision was based on his rejection of evidence because of missed deadlines and also a failure to sue Porsche AG, the manufacturer, the statement read. "Meadow will continue the fight to hold Porsche accountable for selling a defective product that kills."
Times Staff Writer Veronica Rocha contributed to this report.
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