Prosecutor: Toyota in Minn. crash that killed 3 people wasn’t subject to cruise control recall

Prosecutor: No recall for Toyota in fatal MN crash

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota prosecutor says a Toyota Camry involved in a fatal crash that sent a man to prison was not included in a recall of cars for a cruise control problem.

Koua Fong Lee (KOO’-uh FONG LEE) is seeking a new trial in the 2006 crash that killed three people. The St. Paul man maintains he tried to stop his car but couldn’t.

His case is among a growing number getting new attention due to Toyota’s safety problems.

Some 1996 Camrys were recalled for a problem with aftermarket cruise controls that caused sudden acceleration. But Ramsey County attorney Susan Gaertner (GAIRT’-ner) said Wednesday that Lee’s Camry had a factory cruise control.

More important to Lee’s attorneys is evidence from this week’s inspections of Lee’s car showing he tried to brake before impact.