Feds Checking On Possible Unintended Acceleration In NYE Crash That Killed 5

ONTARIO (AP) — Federal transportation safety officials have taken an interest in a New Year's Eve crash near Los Angeles in which a driver of a Toyota Yaris said the car began to accelerate uncontrollably before smashing into another car.

Five people died in the collision.

Gordon Trowbridge, a spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, says the agency's special crash investigations team will join accident specialists from the California Highway Patrol when they inspect the Yaris.

CHP Officer Christina Wood said all possible factors will be scrutinized, including a stuck accelerator. She said the CHP already has ruled out drunk driving.

Several years ago, Toyota and its Lexus luxury brand vehicles were plagued by complaints of unwanted acceleration as well as investigations, recalls and lawsuits.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)