Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Elizabeth Dunbar
St. Paul, Minn.

Toyota in fatal St. Paul crash to be inspected in April

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

A Toyota Camry that was involved in a 2006 crash that resulted in three deaths will be inspected next month to determine if its accelerator was defective.

The Ramsey County Attorney's Office said Monday that the inspection would take place the week of April 19 and will be conducted by two experts.

The driver of the Camry, Koua Fong Lee, has been in prison since being convicted in 2007 of criminal vehicular homicide in the crash.

Lee's attorney has hired an expert, who will work with a forensic mechanical engineer hired by Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner to conduct the inspection. Gaertner has also requested that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration participate in the inspection.

Lee's attorney and attorneys for the victims' families have asked that he be released from prison, based on reports of Toyota defects and recalls related to sudden acceleration.

Lee's 1996 Camry was not part of the recent recall, but his attorneys argue older models also had problems.

In a statement released on Friday, Gaertner said she had a "helpful meeting" Monday with police, Lee's attorneys and experts and family members of victims in the crash.

"This is an important step toward gathering the evidence we need to determine whether any defects may have contributed to the crash. We need the facts so we can act accordingly," Gaertner said.

Lee's attorneys plan to file a motion seeking a new trial or release from custody.

(MPR reporter Madeleine Baran contributed to this report.)