Toyota Settles in Sudden Acceleration Lexus Accident

As I watch a television commercial portraying a sleek new Lexus speeding through obstacles, I wonder if Toyota Motor Company has finally fixed its defective gas pedals and sudden acceleration problems. The Lexus after all was the vehicle that crashed killing a family of four. The driver was California Highway patrolman, Mark Saylor. He had borrowed the Toyota-made car from a Lexus dealer. He was killed along with his wife, Cleofe, their daughter and Cleofe's brother, Chris Lastrella, after the car accelerated out of control and flew off an embankment.

We are glad that Toyota Motor Corp. has settled with family members in the wrongful death case; however, we are saddened that it took the death of the family to force Toyota to address the defects in its electronic throttle control system. Toyota refused to specify the terms of the settlement, the AP reported.

Relatives of the four people killed in the Aug. 28, 2009 crash had filed the lawsuit.

Congress estimates that 760 car accidents and personal injury cases may be connected to the sudden acceleration problem in a variety of Toyota cars.

They appear to have routinely ignored facts and evidence while keeping their eyes focused on profits and maintaining a good public image. Toyota stock has dropped after news of the settlement.

First Toyota blamed the problem on driver error, then floor mats, and last even the length of the pedal itself. This attitude of refusing to take responsibility for its products makes me doubt that I will ever purchase a Lexus no matter how pretty it looks on a commercial.

CA

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