Toyota drops objection to Lee joining existing lawsuit

by Jessica Mador, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — 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.