Every single news agency has turned their attention to a car crash in California involving a Toyota Prius. The driver claimed the accelerator got stuck on a California freeway and most media outlets suggest the Patrol officer had to slow it down. It's a story that makes an instant celebrity, and the media loves to broadcast the hype.
However:
First, anyone that has driven a Prius knows that such a car does not have the power to 'JUMP' forward no matter how quick and hard you press the gas pedal. Furthermore, the ability to accelerate in a Prius is so modest, not even the most paranoid driver would be startled by its speeding up.
Secondly, this driver not only had time to call the police after it "ran out of control" he managed to drive the car for another 20 minutes until the police showed up. How out of control could the car have been if he was driving on a busy highway for nearly half an hour?
Finally, contrary to the news reports shown below, the CHP officer never helped the Prius slow down. The official CHP report says the officer's car never came in contact with the Prius until the two cars were stopped on the side of the road. So in other words, the driver of the Prius eventually came to a stop all by himself.
Once the car slowed to around 50 mph, Sikes turned off the car's engine and it rolled to a stop with the trooper's car in front of it. The two cars did not touch, police said.
WATCH the RUNAWAY MEDIA:
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{ 7 reviews… read them below or add one }
+1 Im not the one to defend Toyota or bash their products, but it just sounds cooked up media BS.
An officer had to give him instructions to stop? the officer said “just push the break pedal and the emergency break too” no freaking way dude!
i especially love the fact how the guy cant even look straight at the camera and how the news anchor is trying to act all concerned.
Coincidences happen, sure, but….
Did anyone notice that the “Prius Driver” in question is wearing a “Corvette Owners of America” Jacket. Something stinks here. I have a G1 Prius, and I am glad I have a regular key to start the car, and a mechanical linkage to my transmission. This would never happen in a first gen Prius. The push button on the new Prius’ are one of the reasons I decided not to buy one. I prefer a good old key. There are certain things that should not be left to electronics.
Maybe the guy is shy about being on camera. Maybe he’s a bit shaken up. If he was totally smooth and composed on camera I imagine someone would say, “Wow, he looks like some sort of actor or reporter somebody paid off to cook this up.”
I personally don’t understand how someone could think to dial a cell phone, but can’t think to turn a car off, put it in neutral and stand on the brakes – but that’s me. I can’t say everybody is flawed unless they react to a situation the same way I do.
I willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt that he’s not risking being tried for perjury, or filing a false police report for his fifteen minutes of fame until his car is examined.
This guy looks like a retired or laid off United Auto Worker! BS, if the pedal stuck downm it was his floor mat. People need to take responsibility for thier own actions and lay off of Toyota, the Number 1 auto maker in the world!
I do not believe the driver, Rick is probably correct (United Auto Worker). I just tested a 2007 Prius, 2nd gen. and with the accelerator pedal pushed to the floor (not letting up at all) and pressing pressure on the brake pedal, the fuel shuts down to an idle, the vehicle comes to a complete stop, with the accelerator to the floor. This guy may have been hitting the brake though he didn’t push the pedal down. Prius owners, try this and you will agree this guy is a liar!!!
Fishy fishy fishy – it is easy to stop a runaway car in 5 seconds via brake, parking brake, engine switch, neutral. It is almost impossible NOT to stop a car in 20 minutes unless you are a completely clueless. I’m guessing the guy was speeding and the cop saw it and was going to give him a ticket so he cooked up this to get out of a ticket and maybe get some Toyota payola as a bonus. Come on – if you are wearing a corvette outfit you know how to stop a car…
After seeing this this guy go 94 mph with a Prius, I just went out and bought a 2010. What a car! Best car I ever owned in every way. The brakes are perfict .