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?
Jessica Mador
St. Paul, Minn.

Lee's attorneys call for charges against Toyota

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.

Toyota crash
This June 10, 2006 photo shows a 1996 Camry driven by Koua Fong Lee that crashed into the back of an Oldsmobile Ciera in St. Paul, Minn. Lee said he could not stop the car. The Camry is older than those including in the recalls by Toyota for unintended acceleration problems. The crash killed three people and injured two others, all in the Oldsmobile.
AP Photo/St. Paul Pioneer Press, Thomas Whisenand

Attorneys for St. Paul driver Koua Fong Lee are calling on the Ramsey County Attorney to bring charges against Toyota for a lethal accident four years ago.

Lee was driving a 1996 Camry when he crashed into another car, killing three people. Charges were dropped against Lee and he was freed from jail earlier this month.

Lee's attorney Bob Hilliard said he's challenging the Ramsey County Attorney's office to bring charges against Toyota for the deaths and injuries caused by the accident.

"If they had the audacity to charge Koua Fong Lee, once they have learned the truth of what happened, they need to now have the courage to stand up to Toyota, a muti-billion dollar company, the same way they were willing to bully a first-generation Hmong refugee," Hilliard said.

Hilliard said there is evidence that a design defect, not driver error, caused the crash.

The Ramsey County Attorney's office declined to comment.

Lee's Camry is in storage with the St. Paul police. His attorneys say they hope an agreement over access to Lee's car will be filed in St. Paul Federal Court soon.

Gallery
1 of 1
Toyota crash
This June 10, 2006 photo shows a 1996 Camry driven by Koua Fong Lee that crashed into the back of an Oldsmobile Ciera in St. Paul, Minn. Lee said he could not stop the car. The Camry is older than those including in the recalls by Toyota for unintended acceleration problems. The crash killed three people and injured two others, all in the Oldsmobile.
AP Photo/St. Paul Pioneer Press, Thomas Whisenand