US safety investigators have begun to probe the case of a runaway Toyota Prius in California, sources said Tuesday, in an incident threatening to undermine the Japanese automaker's effort to repair its battered image.(AFP/DDP/File/Sascha Schuermann)
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US safety investigators have begun to probe the case of a runaway Toyota Prius in California, sources said Tuesday, in an incident threatening to undermine the Japanese automaker's effort to repair its battered image.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration "is gathering details on yesterday's incident involving a recalled Prius that accelerated out of control," a source familiar with the matter said.
"Two investigators are flying out to California to examine the car and look for potential causes."
The latest case involved James Sikes, 61, who was driving his 2008 Prius on the busy Interstate 8 freeway outside San Diego when he noticed his car starting to accelerate of its own accord, the California Highway Patrol said.
The terrified motorist was helpless as the car raced along the road at speeds of more than 140 kilometers (90 miles) per hour.
Tragedy was only averted after Sikes was able to call police, and officers using a loudspeaker talked the driver through the process of slowing down by using his emergency brake and then turning off the engine.
Toyota later issued a statement saying technical specialists had been sent to San Diego "to investigate the report and offer assistance."
The drama was a chilling echo of the tragic accident last August where off-duty California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor and three family members were killed when the accelerator became stuck in the Lexus ES350 in which they were riding.
Officials said there was no information about any additional recalls. The 2004-2009 Prius was already subject to a recall for "pedal entrapment" in November, and the 2009-2010 Prius is subject to the recall over braking system problems.
The Japanese auto giant has recalled more than eight million cars and trucks worldwide, including six million in the United States, to address potentially deadly defects blamed for incidents of sudden, unintended acceleration and other issues.
US regulators said last week that they had received more than 60 complaints from Toyota owners reporting sudden unintended acceleration despite having their recalled vehicle repaired by a Toyota dealer.
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