Runaway Toyota Prius Battle Heats Up

Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol stands by its belief that Sike's experience was real and that no part of it was fabricated.

"Unless they can completely disprove Mr. Sikes, we're done," Brian Pennings, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said, according to AP. "It doesn't sound like they can do that."

Meanwhile, Toyota announced at a press conference Monday that its preliminary investigation on Mar. 10 and 11 of the alleged runaway vehicle indicates that "the driver's account of the event is inconsistent with the findings of the preliminary analysis."

Toyota cites numerous findings that support its belief that there should be further investigation of Sikes' account of events tied to the runaway vehicle allegation, including: Toyota's claim that the accelerator pedal was tested and found to be working normally with no mechanical binding or friction; the fact that the front brakes showed severe wear and damage from overheating; and that a Toyota carpeted floor mat of the correct type for the vehicle was installed but not secured to the retention hooks.

-- Reported by Andrea Tse in New York

RELATED STORIES:

>> Runaway Prius Impact: Toyota Fights Back

>>Another Runaway Prius Runs Amok

>>Runaway Toyota Prius Corralled by Cops

>> Toyota Recall: Runaway Prius Impact

>> Toyota Recalls: Are Ford, Honda, Nissan Just as Bad?

>>Are You Bullish or Bearish on Toyota Stock?

>>Tata's New Electric Nano a Hit in Market

>>Lawmakers Inflict More Pain on Toyota

>>Toyota Damaged by Recall Woes, Poll Says

>>Who Will Win, Ford or Toyota?

>>Toyota Chief: No Decision on Prius Brakes

>>Toyota's Bad Week Gets Worse

>>Can Ford Reclaim Toyota's Throne?

>>Toyota Ups View, Admits Prius Brake Flaw

>>Toyota Accused of Hiding Graver Problems

Follow TheStreet.com on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

>To order reprints of this article, click here: Reprints