First witness recounts sudden acceleration of her Lexus
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In a tearful recounting, Rhonda Smith of Sevierville, Tenn., told a House panel Tuesday how her Lexus dangerously and suddenly sped up.
The leadoff witness in the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s investigative panel hearing into Toyota and Toyota-made vehicles, Smith explained her October 2006 ride as the car accelerated to 100 mph.
“I prayed for God to help me,” Smith said as she pumped the brakes. Finally, she called her husband. “I knew he could not help me, but I wanted to hear his voice one more time.”
When the vehicle dropped to 35 mph, Smith said she finally turned off the engine. Smith was especially caustic about the brakes, designed to override the accelerator.
“This is a lie,” she said.
Smith said she looked forward to the company’s executives speaking later.
“I hope Toyota is held accountable,’ she said, and added that she also hopes that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is also held accountable for its investigation.
--Michael Muskal
