Runaway Prius driver : Brakes were almost burned
Category Business | Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
2008 Toyota Prius
EL CAJON, Calif. — Before he called 911, James Sikes says he reached down with his hand to loosen the “stuck” accelerator on his 2008 Toyota Prius, his other hand on the steering wheel. The pedal didn’t move.
“My car can’t slow down,” he began when a California Highway Patrol dispatcher answered his call.
Sikes, 61, rolled to a stop 23 harrowing minutes later, he and his blue Prius emerging unscathed but Toyota Motor Corp. ( TM – news – people ) suffering another big dent. Toyota has watched its reputation for quality crumble with recalls tied to risks that cars can accelerate uncontrollably or can’t brake properly.