Toyota Prius Claims Another Life

William Hippsley

A man in England named, William Hippsley, was prosecuted for running over his wife in a supermarket parking lot, when his Toyota Prius accelerated and refused to stop.

Prius

His spouse, Brenda Hippsley, succumbed to her injuries and died. Hippsley stated it was an accident, as "The car had lunged forward and the brake had failed."

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Prius Problems

Toyota driver William Hippsley who killed wife claims he couldn't stop

March 11, 2010 3:21AM - A BRITISH driver who ran over and killed his wife while parking his Toyota cried, "I couldn't stop the car", Grimsby Crown Court heard.

Retired surveyor William Hippsley drove forward in his Prius - dragging wife Brenda 39.6m in a Tesco supermarket car park.

Hippsley, 74, who denies causing death by careless driving, said in a police interview three months later the car had lunged forward and the brake had failed...

Fairbank said Hippsley "genuinely looked in shock". He got out and cried: "My wife, what have I done? I couldn't stop the car."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au

Prius Makes A Run For It At 90 MPH

"Video: California man says Prius accelerated out of control"

A Toyota Prius hauled butt at 95 MPH, without the owner's permission, taking him on a terrifying ride that forced a brave police officer to attempt a daring stunt, via using his vehicle to act as a brake in stopping the runaway car.

Thankfully it worked, as a family died in California last year when their Toyota plowed through a red light, refusing to stop, suffering from the same braking issue. The U.S. government is looking into both cases.

Prius

This latest accident comes as another blow to the embattled Toyota corporation, who is struggling to rebuild its brand after a series of high profile brake failures. Toyota claims the problem is mechanical, but many disagree, as it appears to be a computer based issue.

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Runaway Prius hits 90 mph before stopping with aid of CHP

A stuck accelerator takes Prius to 90 mph on I-8 before an officer helps out.

March 9, 2010 - The driver of a Toyota Prius who called 911 on Monday to report his accelerator was stuck finally got the car stopped after about 20 minutes with the help of the California Highway Patrol, officers said.

"He was reaching speeds over 90 miles per hour," CHP Officer Larry Landeros said of the driver, James Sikes.

A Toyota spokesman said Monday evening that the company, which has recalled millions of vehicles because of reports of unintended acceleration, was sending a representative to investigate the cause of the incident...

http://www.latimes.com

Toyota Apologizes For Recall

Prius

Toyota has issued an apology for the international recall it was forced to issue, due to faulty braking systems on a number of its models and problems with the accompanying floor mats.

Toyota President Apologizes for Global Recalls

05 February 2010 - The president of the Japanese automaker Toyota has apologized for the company's global recall of millions of vehicles due to safety issues. Akio Toyoda is the grandson of Toyota's founder.

Toyota's top executive, president and CEO Akio Toyoda, offered this apology to millions of Toyota drivers Friday.

"I apologize from the bottom of my heart for all the concerns that we have given to so many customers in so many countries," said Akio Toyoda.

http://www1.voanews.com

Toyota Admits Problems With The Prius

"Toyota problems hit Prius"

This is a follow up to the February 3. 2010 article "Toyota Should Have Heeded The Warnings" regarding consumer troubles with the braking system for the hybrid Prius. On February 4. 2010, Toyota finally admitted there is a problem with the braking system on its Prius and stated they shall move to address the issue.

The U.S. government also announced On February 4. 2010, they are investigating the Toyota Prius' braking system. It's about time something is done about this issue, as the problem has existed for over a year.

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Prius

Thus far, over 4 million Toyota motor car models have been recalled around the world, due to said braking system problems, at a cost of $2 billion dollars.

In the video posted above, Toyota, via its managing officer, once again tried to blame consumers for the braking issues (as mentioned in the Judiciary Report article yesterday), but at the end of the day, when you physically instruct a vehicle to stop, it is supposed to halt.

APNewsBreak: US gov't investigating Prius brakes

Feb 4, 9:47 AM (ET) - WASHINGTON (AP) - The Transportation Department has opened an investigation into brake problems in the 2010 model year Toyota Prius after the Japanese automaker acknowledged design problems with the brakes in its prized gas-electric hybrid.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told The Associated Press it has received 124 reports from consumers, including four reports of crashes. The investigation will look into allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over uneven road surfaces, potholes or bumps.

The Japanese government has ordered Toyota to investigate brake problems. The automaker said it had corrected problems with the antilock brake system in Prius models sold since late last month, including those shipped overseas...

http://apnews.myway.com

Toyota Should Have Heeded The Warnings

Toyota Prius

10-months ago on April 27. 2009, in the article, Prius Problems, the Judiciary Report wrote about a piece in the Miami New Times, regarding Toyota Prius vehicles accelerating without prompting and accompanying problems with its brakes and floor mats. It was leading up to a disaster. However, due to the fact Toyota had what they deemed a small number of complaints, drivers were labeled at fault, not the motor cars.

Fast forward 10-months. The new Toyota line with the same braking system is unveiled and massive trouble erupts. Over the past week, the national news has been dominated by reports of a Toyota recall, due to faulty brakes and floor mats. 2.6 vehicles have been recalled.

A family died in California, when the accelerator on their Toyota Lexus sped the vehicle up to dangerous speeds and refused to stop. The dad's last words to 911 were, "We’re in a Lexus. . . and we’re going north on 125 and our accelerator is stuck. . . we’re in trouble. . . there’s no brakes. . . we’re approaching the intersection. . . hold on. . . hold on and pray. . . pray.”

Today, a famous Toyota Prius owner, Steve Wozniak, who is co-founder of Apple Inc, stated his vehicle sped up as well and refused to stop, forcing him to pump the brakes.

Toyota recall: last words from a family killed as Lexus crashed

February 3, 2010 - The final moments of a family killed in a car crash apparently caused by a faulty accelerator on a Toyota vehicle have been made public as lawyers challenge the company’s safety record.

Four members of the same family died in a hired Lexus that allegedly accelerated out of control. Mark Saylor, 45, an off-duty California highway patrolman, died last August along with his wife Cleofe, 45, and daughter, Mahala, 13, and Mrs Saylor’s brother Chris Lastrella.

In a 911 emergency call made from the car just before the crash, Mr Lastrella is heard saying: “We’re in a Lexus. . . and we’re going north on 125 and our accelerator is stuck. . . we’re in trouble. . . there’s no brakes. . . we’re approaching the intersection. . . hold on. . . hold on and pray. . . pray.” ...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak says his Toyota Prius accelerates on its own

February 3, 2010 - Apple Inc. co-founder Steve "Woz" Wozniak has seen his share of software glitches in the gadgets he has created and in those he collects.

But Wozniak said he was surprised several months ago when his 2010 Toyota Prius started accelerating on its own -- to as much as 97 mph -- when he used cruise control to increase the vehicle's speed. He said he had to tap the brakes to stop the car from accelerating...

http://www.latimes.com