Runaway Prius on California Highway

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

James Sikes received a notice in the mail after Toyota recalled over 8 million of it's cars for problems that caused the accelerators to stick. He immediately took his car into a local dealership, but was told that his car was not on the recall list.

Never mind that his letter stated that the 2004-2009 Prius was, in fact on the recall list.

Assured that his vehicle had no issue, Sikes continued to drive and ignored the letter. After all, the dealership told him his car was not a part of the 8 million vehicles recalled.

That assurance melted to fear Monday afternoon as Sikes cruised along interstate 8 near San Diego when suddenly, his car sped up to 90 MPH when the accelerator became stuck.

Sikes, 61, says he pushed the gas pedal to pass another car when suddenly the car lurched and "just stuck there," said Sikes.

Sikes says he tried to pump his brakes, but nothing happened. The car's speed continued to increase.

Faulty accelerators have been linked to five deaths throughout the U.S.

Read the Daily News article here