Porsche's lawyers are putting the blame for Paul Walker's death in a car crash in Southern California on the driver in the incident.
The "Fast & Furious" star died at the age of 40 in November 2013 after Roger Rodas lost control of a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT sports car, which led to the vehicle crashing into trees and utility pole in Sanita Clarita, north of Los Angeles, according to Reuters. Rodas also lost his life in the crash.
Lawyers for the German automaker put the blame on Rodas on Monday in response to a judge dismissing some of the plaintiff's claims in a ruling in the case in February. The judge said at the time that Porsche must face claims about a flaw in the car's design.
The flaw, according to the lawsuit, was determined to be a suspension failure in the right rear wheel area of the Carrera GT, which resulted in the car's rear end swinging to the left and the vehicle losing control, NBC News reported. The lawsuit also claims that a crash cage, racing fuel cell and other safety features should have been added to the vehicle since the Carrera GT was initially designed to be a race car.
"Roger Rodas's death, and all other injuries or damages claimed, were the result of Roger Rodas's own comparative fault," the lawyers argued, adding that he "chose to conduct himself in a manner so as to expose himself and others to such perils, dangers and risks."
Porsche's attorneys also said the Carrera GT had no defects and that they believe the car was bought in a way the company wasn't aware of and was "abused and altered," which could have been a cause of the crash, Reuters reported.
Kristine Rodas, the widow of Roger Rodas, sued Porsche Cars North America, seeking unspecified damages and alleging that the car experienced a suspension failure. Investigators ruled excessive speed as the cause of the accident.
