Toyota drops objection to Lee joining existing lawsuit

Toyota has dropped its objection to Koua Fong Lee joining an existing lawsuit against the automaker. Attorneys for Lee, 32, were in court Monday before a federal judge.

Lee was driving a Toyota Camry in 2006 when he crashed into another car, killing three people. His case got a new hearing this summer in the wake of Toyota's problems with sudden acceleration in newer model cars and he was released from prison.

Lee's attorneys then made a request for Lee to join a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of victims' family members. Last week, Toyota had asked a federal judge to block Koua Fong Lee's request.

In a statement, Toyota spokeswoman Celeste Migliore said the company does not oppose Lee's plan to file a complaint. But she said that Toyota believes "any potential unintended acceleration allegations are without merit."

"The 1996 Camry involved in this case has never been subject to an acceleration-related recall and is designed to meet or exceed all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards," the statement read.

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