Runaway Toyota Prius Battle Heats Up

(Runaway Toyota Prius story updated with statement from Toyota.)

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Toyota(TM) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) officials are questioning the credibility of a report on a Toyota Prius runaway incident on a San Diego highway, following an initial investigation in which they couldn't reproduce the event in their tests; the California Highway Patrol and the driver's attorney, however, are standing by him.

The findings regarding 61-year old James Sikes' report on his runaway 2008 Prius experience on a San Diego highway were documented in a draft memorandum by congressional investigators. Sikes' car [pictured above] had sped up to 94 mph before being rescued by patrol officers who helped him bring the car back down to 50 mph and eventually to a halt, says AP.

"So, in this case, knowing that we are able to push the car around the shop, 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," said David Jusko, a Toyota employee and hybrids expert, who was quoted in the memo obtained by The Detroit News.

According to the memo, two Toyota technicians and NHTSA technicians looked into the Prius and congressional personnel and another Toyota field technician looked at the test Prius.

"On our test drive, the field technician tried to duplicate the same experience that Mr. Sikes experienced. After about two hours of driving he was unsuccessful," the memo said, according to The Detroit News. "Every time the technician placed the gas pedal to the floor and the brake pedal to the floor the engine shut off and the car immediately started to slow down. NHTSA and Toyota field representatives reported the same results with the 2008 Prius owned by Mr. Sikes."

James Sikes' lawyer John Gomez, shot back at report and defended Sike's credibility.

"I don't put a whole lot of stock in their explanation," Gomez said, according to AP. "It's not surprising they couldn't replicate it. They have never been able to replicate an incident of sudden acceleration. Mr. Sikes never had a problem in the three years he owned this vehicle."