Toyota driver convicted in crash that killed 3 people refuses prosecutor’s offer to free him

Convicted Toyota driver rejects offer of freedom

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Toyota driver convicted in a crash that killed three people has rejected a prosecutor’s offer to ask a judge to vacate his sentence and set him free.

Koua Fong Lee is serving an eight-year sentence for criminal vehicular homicide in the 2006 crash. He petitioned for a new trial, saying he did all he could to stop his accelerating Toyota Camry before the crash. The automaker recalled millions of vehicles because of problems with sudden acceleration.

On Thursday, during the fourth day of the hearing on Lee’s request for a new trial, Assistant County Attorney Mark Listig said he would ask that Lee’s sentence be vacated if Lee dropped his petition. Lee would remain a convicted felon if he agreed. The Star Tribune reports Lee refused and maintained his innocence.

Information from: Star Tribune, www.startribune.com