Judge allows Koua Fong Lee to join Toyota lawsuit

by Jessica Mador, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — A federal judge has granted a St. Paul man's request to join a civil lawsuit against Toyota Motor Corporation.

Lawyers for Koua Fong Lee said they expected the ruling after Toyota earlier this week dropped its objections.

Lee, 32, will now be allowed to join a lawsuit filed against the automaker for a fatal 2006 accident.

Lee was driving a 1996 Toyota Camry when he crashed into another car, killing three people.

His case got a new hearing in the wake of Toyota's problems with sudden acceleration in newer model cars. In August, a Ramsey County judge threw out his conviction and he was released from jail.

Attorneys for Lee said they're happy Lee's case will be joined with one filed by victims' relatives. They said the accident was caused by problems with Lee's Camry.

Toyota has denied allegations that Lee's car was defective.