HARRISON, N.Y. (AP) — Computer data from a Toyota Prius that crashed in suburban New York City show that at the time of the accident the throttle was open and the driver was not applying the brakes, U.S. safety officials said Thursday.
The disclosure prompted an angry response from the police captain investigating the cause of the accident. He said his probe was not over and driver error had not been established.
“For any agency to release data and to draw conclusions without consulting with the law enforcement agency that brought this to light could be self-serving,” said Capt. Anthony Marraccini of the Harrison, N.Y., force.
A housekeeper driving the car on March 9 told police that it sped up on its own down a driveway, despite her braking, and crashed into a stone wall across the street. She was not seriously hurt.
