Minnesota Man’s Claims in Toyota Crash Case Can Proceed

A federal judge is allowing a Minnesota man to proceed with some of his claims stemming from the fatal crash of a Toyota in 2006.

U.S. District Judge Ann Montgomery ruled Tuesday that Koua Fong Lee can proceed with his claim against Toyota of negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Lee was incarcerated for more than two years after his 1996 Camry plowed into the back of an Oldsmobile in St. Paul. He was released in 2010 after a wave of publicity about Toyota’s problems with sudden acceleration.

Montgomery dismissed claims by survivors of a father and son killed in the accident, ruling there’s no proof Toyota fraudulently concealed a defect.

Toyota says it’s pleased that any notion of misconduct was eliminated, and the automaker looks forward to defending itself at trial.