Toyota orders inspections after fatal Calif. crash believed caused by floor mat

TORRANCE, Calif.  — Toyota has ordered dealers to inspect their cars after a floor mat was suspected of snaring the accelerator pedal of a Lexus that crashed in San Diego County and killed four.

Torrance-based Toyota Motor Sales USA announced Monday that dealers must make sure all Lexus and Toyota vehicles have the proper mats.

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

Witnesses say the car was doing more than 120 mph when it went off an embankment. The family’s screams were heard in a 911 call.

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