Out-of-control ES 350 crash claims 4 lives, causes brush fire

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Very sad news...and safety questions, possible lessons...

http://www.examiner.com/x-833-San-Di...n-Santee-crash

CHP: Veteran officer, family members killed in Santee crash

CHP officials came out today and said that off-duty officer Mark Saylor, 45, was the likely driver of a loaned Lexus that hit a Ford Explorer around 6:35 p.m. at state Route 125 and Mission Gorge Road.

After colliding with the Explorer, the Lexus went on through the intersection, striking a concrete curb and running through a picket fence. The car then struck a dirt embankment which sent it airborne. The vehicle rolled several times before resting in a dry patch of the San Diego River basin where it burst into flames.

Authorities said the other victims in the car with Saylor were his wife, Cleofe, 45; daughter, Mahala, 13; and brother-in-law, Chris Lastrella, 38.

Since the victims were burned beyond recognition, final testing is still being done to reach a positive identity officially. The Medical Examiner's Office will reportedly not positively identify the bodies for several days, following an analysis of DNA and dental records.

According to investigators, the crash was reported approximately two minutes after a CHP dispatcher received a 911 call from one of the Lexus' passengers – likely Saylor's wife – to report that the car's accelerator was stuck and they could not bring the car, which may have been traveling around 100 miles per hour, to a stop.

There are 2 video news reports here, first a description of the accident from a reporter on scene, the second two days later from a news conference the California Highway Patrol (CHP) gave regarding the accident.

http://www.kusi.com/home/56035977.html
http://www.cbs8.com/Global/story.asp?S=11013075

There was a recall for 2007 ES 350s regarding the all-weather floor mats, which caused the accelerator to get stuck and led to several injury accidents, but no known fatalities. The recall was because owners improperly installed their floor mats over the cloth ones, and the mats then moved up and got stuck to the accelerator. The NHTSA investigated some 40 incidents regarding unintended acceleration and found that in most cases, the vehicles had these all-weather floor mats. However, initially when these reports came in, and for some parties afterward, they felt that it was possibly some other issue. Lexus models come with vehicle data recorders, which may be of some help in this latest crash.

The reports said this was a 'loaned' or 'loaner' car, which if it was from a dealership likely would not have these mats installed incorrectly? The reports state that the driver attempted to brake, to no avail (however some of the floor mat incidents may have suggested that the brake pedal may have been jammed as well). How about shifting to neutral? Also some comments on the news articles stated that shutting off the ignition would disable brake power...? What about the parking brake? The scenario could be terrifying and puzzling.

With these new push-button ignitions, I wonder how many owners know that they can hold down the START/STOP button for 3 seconds to turn off the engine while still in motion, as a last resort. That is also a critical piece of information.

May the victims of this incident rest in peace, and may some answers be found for this tragic incident.