I don't know how legitimate - we do not yet have a good link - but here it is: (from a car forum I go to) -
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heard on the radio today,a loaner lexus crashed ,killing 4 on board,driver was an off duty cop,going 120+ into an intersection hit an other car,driver was on phone with 911 ,were he said no brakes[witnesses said fire was coming out of the wheels,like driver had brakes full on],prelim says dealer installed floormats jammed gas pedal on,,car had no ignition key just a pushbutton start,,sad,but my only thought is why didn't he put the shifter into nuetral ?
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Most of the California posters seem to be believing that this is the real thing. Some have claimed recalls on other makes on floormats/no-key ignition systems. Me? I dunno - seems like it would have easily made the weird news page on MSNBC or a TV program if real.
However, the exact thing happened to me with a 1970s era Corvette. Turning off the key of course put things back in order. Wonder what happens on these new pushbutton start cars if you really really want things shut down in a hurry?