Runaway Toyotas: Lawyer Demands New Trial for Imprisoned Driver of Camry in Fatal Crash

Prosecutor agrees to new inspection of car; driver blames sudden acceleration.

ByABC News
March 22, 2010, 1:25 PM

March 24, 2010 — -- Lawyers for a driver serving eight years in prison after his out-of-control Toyota killed three people at a Minnesota intersection filed a motion Wednesday demanding a new trial, saying new evidence shows sudden unintended acceleration may have caused the accident.

"We do know that the jury never heard any of this information," said Brent Schafer, lead attorney for Koua Fong Lee, who was convicted of vehicular homicide after his Camry hit another car at more than 70 mph. "We have more than enough evidence to warrant a new trial."

During a closed-door meeting Monday, Schafer presented Ramsey County prosecutor Susan Gaertner with a half-dozen affidavits from drivers of other 1996 Toyota Camrys who claim their cars accelerated suddenly while they were hitting their brakes, as Lee claims he was doing at the time of his 2007 accident.

Gaertner said the nearly two-hour meeting was helpful. "We are committed to considering all relevant evidence and information in this case," said Gaertner, "and taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure justice."

Schafer and Gaertner have also agreed on a date for an inspection of Lee's Camry.

"Barring any unforeseen change, the Toyota Camry driven by Mr. Lee in the fatal crash will be inspected during the week of April 19, 2010," announced Gaertner.

The inspection will be conducted by Richard Dusek, an expert retained by Lee's attorneys, and Wade Bartlett, a mechanical engineer hired by County Attorney Gaertner's office. Gaertner has also asked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to participate in the inspection.

"If there is actual evidence of sudden acceleration as a cause of the crash, we want to know it so we can act accordingly," said Gaertner. "We need facts and evidence about this particular car – not just speculation related to the recall of newer Toyotas or individual reports about other Camrys."

Schafer and Gaertner have also agreed on a date for an inspection of Lee's Camry.

\"Barring any unforeseen change, the Toyota Camry driven by Mr. Lee in the fatal crash will be inspected during the week of April 19, 2010,\" announced Gaertner.

The inspection will be conducted by Richard Dusek, an expert retained by Lee's attorneys, and Wade Bartlett, a mechanical engineer hired by County Attorney Gaertner's office. Gaertner has also asked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to participate in the inspection.

\"If there is actual evidence of sudden acceleration as a cause of the crash, we want to know it so we can act accordingly,\" said Gaertner. \"We need facts and evidence about this particular car – not just speculation related to the recall of newer Toyotas or individual reports about other Camrys.\"","publishedDate":"2010-03-22T17:25:17Z","contributors":[{"name":"ABC News","url":"","role":"","logo":"","logoAlt":""}],"modifiedDate":"2010-08-05T21:47:52Z","section":"Blotter","wordCount":300,"relatedTags":{"heading":"Related Topics","tags":[]},"lead":{"ratio":"16x9","disableForMobile":false,"type":"xl","mediaType":"image","alignCaptionToBody":true},"ads":{"Sticky":{"kvps":{"test":true}},"RightRail":{"kvps":{"test":true}},"InlineBox":{},"InlineOutstream":{"disabled":false},"Taboola":{"position":"bottom","pageType":"article","config":{"network":"abcnews-abcnews","mode":"thumbnails-a","container":"taboola-below-article-thumbnails","type":"article","targetType":"mix","placement":"Below Article Thumbnails"}}},"featuredVideo":null,"featuredTags":{"isFeatured":false,"tags":[{"label":"RunawayToyotas","href":"/Blotter"}]},"dateline":"March 24, 2010 —","seo":{},"LivePromotion":{}},"autoUpdate":{"enabled":false,"topics":["general-elections-2020-balance-of-power"]}},"upw":{"balanceOfPower":{"electoral":{"header":"Biden Projected to be President-Elect","candidates":{"democrats":{"id":1036,"displayName":"Joe Biden","shortDisplayName":"J. 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