Porsche Test Driver Fatality Follow Up

Investigators have determined the cause of the Porsche prototype accident that killed the driver and destroyed the car was due to driver error. The Darmstaadt, Germany, prosecutor's office excluded excessive speed and technical defect as possible factors in the accident.

The 51-year-old engineer died from extensive bodily injuries after he lost control of the Porsche 911 cabriolet test car, and smashed into the barrier. The vehicle wedged halfway under the guard rail, and continued to slide for a considerable distance before coming to rest.

Darmstaadt's investigation concluded the convertible was traveling at a rate of 110 to 120 km/h, confirming a previous statement by Porsche indicating that the vehicle was not involved in a high speed test. At the time, witnesses had said the car was being driven at a rate of speed that was too fast for conditions. There is no speed limit for the stretch of road where the crash took place.

Porsche previously indicated that the deceased employee "was one of the most experienced test drivers." He had worked for Porsche for 25 years. The accident, which took place between Frankfurt and Heidelbarg on the A5 Autobahn, caused extensive damage to the Porsche 991 prototype. The cost of the crash is said to be in the "tens of thousands of Euro."