2001 Lexus RX300

I WAS DRIVING A LEXUS RX 300 AND HAD EXITED THE FREEWAY. I PRESSED THE BRAKE LIGHTLY TO DECREASE MY SPEED BUT INSTEAD, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. I THEN STEPPED ON THE BRAKE FULLY BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. I TRIED TO SLOW THE CAR BY SHIFTING THE GEARS...TRIED NEUTRAL, L1, L2, AND EVEN REVERSE BUT FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. I WAS GOING AT HIGH SPEEDS, UNABLE TO STOP, AND VERY SCARED AS I WAS ON A STREET WITH MANY LIGHTS. AFTER PASSING THROUGH A RED LIGHT, I TURNED THE CAR INTO THE CURB AND DRAGGED THE WHEELS AGAINST THE CURB UNTIL THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE NOT TO HIT ANOTHER CAR OR PEOPLE THROUGH TWO INTERSECTIONS. THIS OCCURRENCE HAPPENED AT 3:55PM, MAY 12, 2010. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST LEXUS DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND AT THIS TIME, IT IS STILL UNDER EVALUATION. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS CAR HAS DEMONSTRATED ANY UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OR FAILURE OF BRAKES TO STOP ACCELERATION. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 15MPH AFTER STARTING OUT FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR THE PAST 26 HOURS AND WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE DURING THAT TIME PERIOD. AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN OPERATION FOR ONLY ABOUT 10 MINUTES, AND WAS ABOUT 4-5 MILES FROM MY RESIDENCE. THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ODOR JUST PRIOR TO OBSERVING THE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER BOTH SIDES OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BUT DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OR ORIGIN OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND IS A TOTAL LOSS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ME BY EITHER PHONE OR E-MAIL.*AK