The Virginia Personal Injury Blog

If Toyota’s problems are not bad enough following the recall of 6 million vehicles in the United States for brakes and accelerator problems, another incident involving a runaway Toyota is making the news.

On March 8, 2010, James Sikes was traveling down Interstate 8 near San Diego, California when his 2008 Toyota Prius sped out of control after he accelerated to pass another vehicle. Despite James Sikes’ efforts to stop the Prius by “standing” on his brakes, the car continued to travel at speeds of up to 94 mph.

I pushed the gas pedal to pass a car and it did something kind of funny… it jumped and it just stuck there. As it was going, I was trying the brakes…it wasn’t stopping, it wasn’t doing anything and it just kept speeding up… I won’t drive that car again – period.
James Sikes

In desperation, Sikes called 911 for help and a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer came to assist him. As the officer traveled alongside the out of control Prius, he instructed Sikes to push on the brakes and pull the emergency brake at the same time. Although the primary brakes were reportedly not working, the use of both brakes slowed the car down to approximately 50 mph which allowed the officer to use his vehicle to guide the Prius to a gradual stop.

Sikes is fortunate that this incident did not turn fatal on him as the accident that killed California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Mark Saylor, his wife, daughter, and brother-in-law on August 28, 2009, near San Diego, California when their 2009 Lexus ES 350 accelerated out of control and crashed.

Following the runaway 2008 Prius incident on Monday, it has been reported that Toyota plans to recall Prius hybrid 2004-2009 models to prevent more runaway vehicles.

More articles on the runaway 2008 Toyota Prius story:

• Fox 5 – MyFoxDC Toyota to Recall 2004-09 Priuses to Prevent Pedal Entrapment
• Wall Street Journal – Runaway Prius Tale Prompts New Probe
• The Virginia Personal Injury Blog – Parrish Law Firm Sticking Gas Pedal Prompts Toyota to Recall 2.3 Million Cars | Manassas Car Accident Lawyer

Have You Been Injured in a Car, Motorcycle or Truck Accident in Virginia? If so, get the facts about car accident claims in The Virginia Car Accident Guide FREE to Virginia residents.

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The Parrish Law Firm
10620-C Crestwood Drive – Manassas, Virginia 20109
(571) 229-1800

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Related posts:

1. Sticking Gas Pedal Prompts Toyota to Recall 2.3 Million Cars | Manassas Car Accident Lawyer
2. Toyota & Lexus Floor Mat Recall Prompts Safety Warning
3. Would you know if your car had been recalled?
4. Virginia Ranks Poorly for Highway Safety Laws | Fairfax Personal Injury Attorney
5. Toy Industry Takes Action to Increase Safety

Tags: accelerator, california highway patrol, CHP, facebook, fox 5, james sikes, mark saylor, runaway, san diego, toyota prius, toyota recall, virginia personal injury blog, wall street journal