NHTSA Complaint #10947702 — 2017 TOYOTA CAMRY

ON JANUARY 25, 2017 AT APPROX. 7:37 PM I STARTED UP THE VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT IN MOTION. BEFORE PLACING THE VEHICLE IN MOTION I NOTICED THE SKID AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS WERE BOTH ON. I THEN CHECKED THE PARKING BRAKE AND IT WAS IN THE RELEASE POSITION (UP). I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO MOTION AND BOTH LIGHTS REMAINED ON. AT APPROX. 7:45 PM I WAS DRIVING CAUTIOUSLY ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 60 MPH. AT ABOUT 7:47 PM ALL OF THE SUDDEN I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFEN, AND AT THE SAME TIME THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE FROM 60 MPH TO SPEEDS OF APPROX. 40-45 MPH. SIMULTANEOUSLY, I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO INCREASE IN SPEED SO THAT IS WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOOR BUT STILL THE VEHICLE DID NOT INCREASE IN SPEED. TAKING NOTICE OF MY IMMEDIATE SURROUNDINGS, I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE SKID AND PARKING LIGHTS REMAINED LIT, SO I USED MY LEFT FOOT TO DOUBLE CHECK THE PARKING BRAKE POSITION AND IT REMAINED IN THE RELEASE POSITION (UP). NOT REALIZING WHAT WAS ACTUALLY HAPPENING TO THE VEHICLE, I PANICKED AT THAT MOMENT AND I PRESSED DOWN ON THE PARKING BRAKE AND THIS IS WHEN THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO A DITCH CAUSING PERSONAL MINOR HEAD INJURY TO MYSELF AND MY FRONT PASSENGER. THE DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS UNKNOWN, BUT THE FRONT AND REAR FENDER WERE PROVED OBVIOUS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT AND INSURANCE CLAIM WERE FILED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE AND WAS LATER DRIVEN TO MY HOUSE AND REMAINS IN THE DRIVEWAY UNTIL INVESTIGATED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR