Feds: NY Prius Crash Driver Never Stepped on Brake

Computer data from a Toyota Prius that crashed in New York shows that at the time of the accident the driver was not applying the brakes, safety officials say. But local police say the evidence is inconclusive and driver error has not been established. "For any agency to release data and to draw conclusions without consulting with the law enforcement agency that brought this to light could be self-serving," a local police rep says.

A housekeeper driving the car on March 9 told police that it sped up on its own down a driveway, despite her braking, and crashed into a stone wall.The accident set off an intense investigation because Toyota has recalled more than 8 million over gas pedals that could become stuck or be held down by floor mats. The Prius hasn't been recalled for sticky accelerator, but the car involved had been repaired for the floor mat problem.

Click here to read about a similar case in California. (More Toyota stories.)