Toyota seeks to have much of Lee lawsuit dismissed
Attorneys for Toyota Motor Corp. are asking a federal judge to dismiss most of the claims filed by a Minnesota man imprisoned after a fatal crash involving a 1996 Camry.
Koua Fong Lee was freed last year after more than 2 1/2 years in prison, and his conviction was vacated. He sued Toyota, claiming he and family members suffered distress from either the crash or his incarceration.
But in documents filed Monday, attorneys for Toyota say many of Lee's claims won't hold up legally. Among them, they say the automaker has no direct connection to events that led to Lee's imprisonment.
Toyota also wants a judge to dismiss allegations of fraud, saying evidence put forth by Lee's attorneys pertain to vehicles made and sold after the 1996 Camry.
Lee's car was not part of recalls ordered after reports about sudden acceleration problems.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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