Toyota orders floor mat checks after fatal crash

Toyota has ordered its dealers to inspect their cars after a floor mat was suspected of snaring the accelerator pedal of a Lexus that crashed in California, killing four people.

California Highway Patrol officer Mark Saylor, his wife Cleofe, their 13-year-old daughter and an in-law died Aug. 28 when a Lexus ES 350 loaned by a local dealer crashed in San Diego County.

A preliminary investigation found that their loaner car had a floor mat from another Lexus model that may have caused the accelerator to get stuck.

Witnesses said the car was doing more than 190km/h when it went off an embankment and burst into flames. The family's screams were heard in a 911 call.

During the 50-second call, passenger Chris Lastrella told the police dispatcher that the accelerator was stuck.

Toyota Motor Sales USA said dealers must make sure all Lexus and Toyota vehicles have the proper mats.

Investigators from the U.S. National Highway Safety Transportation Administration were also examining the wrecked vehicle because of a 2007 recall involving after-market "all-weather" floor mats, which could slip and snag on the gas pedal, agency spokesman Ray Tyson said.