Latest one is some woman in NY state supposedly had this happen in her Prius coming down her driveway, claimed that the brakes were ineffectual, shot straight across the road and plowed into a 2 ft high stone fence.
They had the local chief of police on camera, not requesting but DEMANDING that Toyota send reps to help them investigate the accident, and that Toyota publicly disclose ALL info in the "black box" from the car. He was all high and mighty about it, saying "We take the safety of our citizens seriously, and we're going to hold Toyota accountable".
Translation - "I'm up for reelection, and this is an easy way to get free
PR and votes".
Even good old Chuck Schumer showed up and added his anti-Toyota public safety rant. Guess he smelled free
PR and easy votes as well.
Considering this was on "Geraldo at Large", the premiere ambulance chaser himself, I'm not surprised at the slant they were giving it.
From looking at the video of the woman's driveway, what was done to that stone fence, and the distances involved, I'd wager that instead of hitting the brakes she had the pedal to the metal. Interestingly, the driver wasn't interviewed for the segment.