Runaway Prius Owner's Story Questioned

There's a growing controversy over James Sikes' claim that his Prius accelerated out of control as it reached 94 miles per hour.

As Sikes faces questions about his story, his wife is coming to his defense.

Patty Sikes, who runs a San Diego real estate business with her husband, says: "Everyone can just leave us alone...our careers are ruined and life is just not good anymore." Source: San Diego Union-Tribune

Things got worse for Sikes when California congressman Darrell Issa, who's leading the Congressional investigation into runaway Toyotas, questioned Sikes' story.

"It doesn't mean it didn't happen, but let's understand, it doesn't mean it did happen," said Issa.

A Congressional memo quotes a Toyota official saying: "It does not appear to be feasibly possible, both electronically and mechanically that his gas pedal was stuck to the floor and he was slamming on the brake at the same time."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which attempted to duplicate what happened to Sikes, said in a statement its tests are inconclusive and "We may never know exactly what happened with this car."

The auto website edmunds.com also ran its own test on the same model Prius and says it found that the brakes always overrode the accelerator, shutting off the engine. The website stated that Sikes' story "doesn't add up."  

Sikes' attorney, John Gomez, denies that the incident is a hoax and says his client is telling the truth. He says, "There clearly is a ghost in the machine of these Toyota systems and the problem is they don't leave a trace, much like a ghost."

Sikes' attorney reiterates that his client does not plan to sue Toyota.