Paul Walker’s death in November 2013 came as a shock to us all. As previously reported, the 40 year old actor was riding in a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT that was being driven by friend Roger Rodas. Rodas lost control of the Porsche which caused the car to slam into trees and a utility pole in the northwest part of Los Angeles called Santa Clarita, and both men were killed. Rodas’ widow blamed Porsche AG’s North American unit and filed a lawsuit claiming negligence and wrongful death along with other claims.

Back in February, some of the plaintiff’s claims were dismissed but the judge ruled that Porsche had to report if the car was defectively designed and made. Attorneys for Porsche have responded and have determined that Rodas was to blame for the crash of the sports car and was not due to any design defects of the car. “Roger Rodas’ death, and all other injuries or damages claimed, were the result of Roger Rodas’ own comparative fault.”  Porsche’s attorneys stated, “Rodas chose to conduct himself in a manner so as to expose himself and others to such perils, dangers and risks.”

Photo: Dan Watson/Santa Clarita Valley Signal

This backs up what authorities have reported from the very beginning, that the crash was not caused by a mechanical failure, but instead was caused by excessive speed. Rodas’ widow claims that a suspension failure occurred and is seeking unspecified damages in her lawsuit. Porsche’s attorneys deny that defects in the car existed and instead believe that the vehicle had been altered. Obviously, being altered could have affected the car and been a factor in the accident.

However, we all know the risks when we choose to have a little fun behind the wheel of our favorite car. Let this incredibly sad story be a constant reminder to us all that there is a time and a place for having fun behind the wheel of a car.