Universal’s Furious 7 has grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide since its release in April 2015. Unfortunately, one of the film’s stars met his fate months before the film hit theaters. Paul Walker, who played the role of O’Conner in the film, was killed in a tragic car crash. Now, the estate of Walker has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Porsche, which is owned by Volkswagen. “In her capacity as sole heir and on behalf of the Estate of Paul William Walker IV, Plaintiff is to recover all damage to the Estate proximately caused by the wrongful death of Paul William Walker IV, including without limitation, all lost income and earnings (present and future), expenses, and all general and special damages to the extent allowed by law,” said a multi-claim jury-seeking complaint Meadow Rain Walker and her guardian Brandon Birtell filed against Porsche on Monday in L.A. Superior Court (read it here). The wrongful-death compliant does not specify damages, but a quick estimation — based on the actor’s income from the F&Ffranchise alone — would put this easily in the tens of millions. While a subsequent investigation of the November 30, 2013, crash of the 2005 Porsche Carrera CT that killed Walker and driver Roger Rodas cited speed as the cause of the accident, today’s very specific filing lays the blame on the car itself and the company that allegedly cut corners. Claiming the car was going a maximum of 71 mph not nearly 100 mph, the complaint points at the lack of an “electronic stability control system,” weak building materials, fuel lines and seat belts that broke Walker’s ribs and pelvis and trapped him inside the smashed vehicle before it caught on fire and exploded. “Absent these defects in the Porsche Carrera GT, Paul Walker would be alive today,” asserts the 18-page filing. The autopsy of Walker by the LA County Coroner’s office concluded that he died of trauma and burn injuries. Today’s filing is very similar to one that Rodas’ widow Kristine M. Rodas filed in May 2014 against Porsche. The car company has pushed back in that case, claiming in response this spring that “Roger Rodas’ death, and all other injuries or damages claimed, were the result of Roger Rodas’ own comparative fault.” Both Rodas and Walker were experienced drivers who took the Porsche out for after attending a nearly charity event. Walker had been on a Thanksgiving break from filming Fast & Furious 7 when the crash occurred. The next installment in the Fast & Furious franchise is due in theaters on April 14, 2017. Source: Deadline.com
