NY police agree driver error caused Prius crash

By JIM FITZGERALD Associated Press Writer

HARRISON, N.Y. (AP) - Police agree with regulators that driver error caused the crash of a Toyota Prius in the New York suburbs.

Capt. Anthony Marraccini (mehr-uh-CHEE'-nee) said Monday there was no mechanical or electrical failure in the car.

He said Monday that the gas pedal was depressed all the way at the point of impact and that there was no sign of any application of the brake.

The finding concurs with U.S. safety regulators who said last week that the car's computers showed the throttle was open and the brakes were not applied.

A 56-year-old housekeeper driving the 2005 Prius in Harrison on March 9 reported that it sped up on its own down a driveway despite her breaking. It slammed into a stone wall, but she was not seriously hurt.