Federal highway safety inspectors have released new details of a fatal car crash that triggered Toyota Motor Corp.'s largest recall, including a finding that the Lexus ES 350 sedan involved had a gas pedal design that could increase the risk of its being obstructed by a floor mat.
Toyota has previously said that the floor mat was improperly installed and may have trapped the accelerator pedal, causing the vehicle to race down Highway 125 in suburban San Diego at more than 100 mph before crashing and bursting into flames, killing off-duty California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor and three members of his family.
The report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration draws no conclusions about the cause of the Aug. 28 accident, but discloses new details, including the fact that the brakes were heavily damaged. That would seem to confirm a frantic 911 call made by Saylor's brother-in-law from the speeding car, during which he said, "There's no brakes."
A Times review of NHTSA documents in a past investigation of Lexus vehicles showed that the agency had found that the Lexus ES braking system loses power-assist when the throttle is fully opened, increasing braking distance fivefold.
The new NHTSA report also indicated that the Lexus' accelerator pedal design may have contributed to the risk of floor mat entrapment.
"Beyond the main pivot, the lever is not hinged and has no means for relieving forces caused by interferences," investigators found.
Toyota has said that among the remedies it is considering in the current recall is an adjustment to the pedals or their design.
The report also notes that the lower edge of the accelerator pedal was "bonded" to the rubber floor mat, shown in a grainy color photograph. The photograph also shows damage to the area of the floor mat surrounding the accelerator pedal.
Saylor owned a different Lexus that was being serviced at Bob Baker Lexus in El Cajon, and was given the 2009 ES 350 as a loaner the day of the accident. Toyota has indicated that the dealership incorrectly installed the mats.
A Toyota spokesman had no immediate comment Saturday. Executives with Bob Baker Lexus could not be reached for comment.
Federal investigators found that the auto had rubber all-weather floor mats for a Lexus RX400h, which is a sport utility vehicle, and that they were unsecured by the vehicle's retaining clips.
