Did Bankrupt Runaway Prius Driver Fake "Unintended Acceleration?"

I think this is very rude. I read a report of a runaway BMW 3-series several years ago. I believed it to be true, and a freak occurrence, and that's that. I listed to Sikes' 911 tape, and it certainly sounded like he was very fearful. I think he should be given the benefit of the doubt, and I think it is disgusting to investigate this man's background, question his integrity, and make denigrating statements about him, simply because something happened to him that upsets you. Yes, of course, maybe Mr. Sikes made this up, but maybe it really happened to him. It is certainly possible.

I saw the CHP officer on the television reporting that he saw Mr. Sikes stomping on the brakes of his vehicle. I suppose now, Senator McCarthy, you'll want to investigate the police officer, and his family, and his finances as well. Have you no sense of shame?

 

I'm really not liking the way you are presenting your case. I think the moderators/admin should delete this thread before it becomes a liability for Danny.

That last "tidbit" of info is what creeps me out most about your thread. Not whether or not Sikes himself is a creep ('cause I don't care), but that you decided it was relevant to include it. And who is the "we" in this report of yours? You and who else? I hope you don't mean this entire forum, because when you include personal info here of someone you don't know that has nothing to do with the car and investigation in question, then I think you are stepping over the line of helpfulness and into the twilight zone of creepiness yourself.

 

OP is not presenting any case.

He is violating Jalopnik's copyright.

 

OK, didn't know that. Thanks for the explanation. Either way, this thread has potential for not progessing in a good direction. There's already ample discovery and momentum for forum members to make an educated guess of what makes sense in this story and what doesn't. I hardly see any point in roasting the guy in this manner. Time and evidence will sort this out.

 

I am surprised that a moderator has not checked in on this post. I don't think you are allowed to copy this much material and post it. Anybody out there?
However,I do think that the character of someone who makes claims like this driver is pertinent

 

what a joke

of course you can post this information, it's not a copyright or any other kind of violation

sure, it can violate forum rules, but that's about it

and no one is roasting anyone

it's valid, and dispositive

and this Sikes fella is full of it

his quotes about being fearful of shifting to neutral because he thought the car may go into reverse and flip over ... please

i can't believe y'all are defending this

hoax ... clear enough ... ?

HOAX

 

Absolutely not defending. To be clear, I don't think it is necessary to be posting links about the guy's sex life. Goes way beyond what this forum should be presenting. Or allowing.

 

How does it comply with the copyright policy of Jalopnik?

At a minimum, the logo is missing. But no form of the quotes tag nor other English quotation marks were used around the text. Still, there is an easy fix ... ask "Matt Hardigree" if this is fair use of his article. Notice Matt's name does not appear in the "cut and paste" posting.

Understand, I have no problem with the content but rather lack of proper attribution. The reason I care is I've had my work plagiarized before and know the hurt. It doesn't take much to give attribution to the author and the web site logo . . . just do the right thing.

Bob Wilson

 

As a common courtesy, the OP should have given an attribution for the
material that was posted.

Otherwise, no problem as there has been no mention of sheep yet ...

 

This James fellow is a piece of garbage. I can't believe the amount of people who are buying this crap. "He sounded fearful". It only sounded, because he was "acting". It's a sham, why don't people see this?!

The minute Joe the Plumber asked Obama that question way back in 2008, I said to myself, "K, that's an obvious sham". And guess what, it was.

This will be the same thing. Mr Sikes will end up in jail, mark my words.

 

Sikes the Scammer ( see alleged theft claims and foreclosure theft ) raised his hand to bring attention to himself. Sikes the Scammer went on national TV to bring attention to himself. If he's in business, even an adult business, and it's now being spread all over the internet and reported on national TV - this is good if you're in that business !!! All free publicity is a good thing.

Did you know that his site existed before Monday? Did you care? Someone might be interested to see what it's about. If he gets paid on the volume of traffic over the site then he just received a bonanza of free publicity and money therefrom.

 

I agree. I looks like he brought it onto himself, but there is no reason we need to pile on.

Tom

 

I agree we don't need to go any further. But it was the internet that started the mainstream media's "investigation."

 

Good thing he wasn't planning a 'suicide by Prius.'

Bob Wilson

 

I run Jalopnik and I'm cool with it -- you're marketing the story for us by dropping the headline and lede into PriusChat along with links back for the rest of the story. But I'd maybe cut the size on the photo. It's an AP photo and unless PriusChat has a license to run the full-size AP photo, there is a copyright issue there. It's just with the AP, not Jalopnik.

Thanks for the link-love on the story!

Ray


Ray Wert
Editor-in-Chief
Jalopnik.com

 

Honest question here:

Has there ever been a Toyota/Prius accident/incident that has been:
- VERIFIED as a vehicular technical fault (not incl floor mats)
and
- the vehicle was driven by an HONEST innocent effective driver

Seems as if there always seems to be a credibility 'hook' in each incident so far.

 

You might want to find a flame-retardant. You are gonna get flamed for this one...

 

Hmm - found this one on the Net.
In this case, the Prius accelerated 'on its own' in REVERSE. Toyota found nothing wrong with the vehicle. And the driver -a doctor- sounds credible in this interview. I can't say that I would have that demeanor if it (did) happen to me...

A Minnesota doctor who says he and his wife had gone so far as to practice what to do if their 2007 Toyota Prius suddenly accelerated -- and even posted a note on the dashboard to remind themselves -- says that didn't do any good when the car suddenly accelerated while in reverse.

Minnesota Doctor Says His Prius Took Off In Reverse - The Two-Way - Breaking News, Analysis Blog : NPR