CHP Supports Runaway Prius's Driver Claims

The battle to find out the truth behind James Sikes' claims that his Prius experienced an unintended acceleration episode on a California highway took another turn yesterday, after a written account by a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer seems to support his claims.

CHP Officer Todd Neibert wrote in his report, cited by Reuters, that the driver of the Prius appeared to be standing off his seat, indicating the possibility he was trying to press the brake pedal hard.

"I was able to view his actions through the lowered right rear window," Neibert says in his report. "His back was arched and both hands were pulling on the steering wheel. I noticed that the Prius slowed slightly, down to approximately 85 to 90 miles per hour."

According to the officer, Sikes seemed to be "in a panicked state," while the brake lights on the Prius were lit, despite the fact the car was cruising at about 85 miles an hour, uphill and without slowing down.

Neibert says he then used his loudspeaker and advised Sikes to apply the brake pedal and emergency brake at the same, a maneuver which worked and stopped the car.

After inspecting the car, the officer says he found brake dust and brake pad material in and around the wheels.

When Toyota tested the car, it said it was unable to recreate the incident and all the fail safes in the car worked. The same happened with NHTSA investigators. Yet, Toyota says the brake pads on the Prius were worn to the metal, without saying whether this happened during the incident or prior to it.

The runaway Prius on the Interstate 8 is of particular importance for all those involved in the Toyota safety issues nightmare, because the Prius is not subject to the unintended acceleration recall related to the sticky accelerator.