Paul Walker’s father filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, suing Porsche for the wrongful death of his son. At some point in the ride in Santa Clarita, California, the auto lost control and spun out before careening off a tree and hitting a lamppost. Meadow Walker, 17, is the sole heir of his estate, which is controlled by the actor’s father, Paul William Walker III.
Advertisement
It’s similar in content to the lawsuit filed by Meadow Walker, the star’s daughter, in September.
While Walker senior has filed the lawsuit, this is not the first time that a member of the Walker family has sued Porsche for defects in the supercar.
Walker died in November, 2013, while he was on a break from filming Fast and Furious 7.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the lawsuit draws upon other cases against the auto company over allegedly unsafe features of the Porsche Carrera GT-the model of vehicle Walker was a passenger in when he died. These comprise stability control system, side door reinforcements and inclusion of breakaway fuel line which could have played a major role in preventing the vehicle busting into flames following the collision. The widow of Roger Rodas, Walker’s friend who was driving at the time of the accident, also filed a wrongful death suit against them on Wednesday and has a pending claim in federal court.
Porsche has also claimed in a court filing that the Carrera GT in question was not stock, and was not properly maintained, which it claims may be partially responsible for the crash.
The defence stated that the actor was aware of the “ricks, perils and dangers” involved in driving the auto and was “a knowledgeable and sophisticated user of the 2005 Carrera GT”.
Walker’s father lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.
Advertisement
After a four-month investigation, Los Angeles officials said the crash had been caused by excessive speed and not mechanical failure.
