Police in Southlake, Tex. are investigating whether a fatal automobile accident could have been caused by the same mechanical issue that led to the recall of 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles and multiple fatal accidents in the U.S., including one involving a California Highway Patrol officer and his family. In the accident on Saturday morning, police say that the vehicle ran a stop sign, hit a tree and a fence, and drove into a pond. Two people were killed, and two were injured.

Just before 11:20 a.m. Saturday, the 2008 Toyota Avalon registered to Hardy ran through a stop sign at the intersection of Lonesome Dove Road and Burney Lane, then struck a fence and tree before landing in the pond on the grounds of a mansion.

…

Officer Roderick Page said traffic investigators couldn’t tell whether driver error or a vehicle malfunction could be to blame.

“We want to cover all angles,” he said. “We just don’t know.”

The 2008 Toyota Avalon was indeed one of the recall models. Some experts have speculated that the problem is not necessarily caused by floor mats, but an electronic issue in the affected car’s engines–an issue that modifying the floor mats or gas pedal will not change.

2 killed, 2 hurt after car plunges into pond in Southlake [Dallas Morning News] (Thanks, James!)
Toyota to fix ‘very dangerous’ gas pedal defects [Los Angeles Times]

PREVIOUSLY:
Toyota Recalls 3.8 Mil Cars For Stuck Gas Pedal Danger
Toyota: 911 Call Of Family’s Fatal Lexus Crash Due To Gas Pedal Stuck On Floormats
Testing Stuck Accelerator Survival Strategies
Memo Reveals Tragic Details Of Stuck Pedal Lexus Crash (Pics)
Non-Recalled Toyotas Could Still Have Dangerous Floor Mats

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.