an exterior handle assembly for a vehicle door includes a movable handle member and a mounting structure . the mounting structure includes a predefined fracture line or line of weakening , whereby the reinforcing structure fractures along the line of weakening in the event a large external force is applied to the reinforcing structure . the handle assembly also includes a push surface that pushes against an inertia lock lever after fracture of the reinforcing structure to thereby push the inertia lock lever into a locked position to prevent unlatching of a vehicle door .