Follow Up On Speeding Prius Guy

[trillium13 84]

James Sikes, the San Diego runaway Toyota Prius driver, filed for bankruptcy in 2008 and now has over $700,000 in debt. According to one anonymous tipster, we're also told he hasn't been making payments on his Prius. UPDATE!

We received an email earlier today from an anonymous tipster who claims James (Jim) Sikes, the driver of the runaway Toyota Prius, was in financial trouble and even behind by five months on his payments for the Prius. If that's true, it's potential motivation for wanting to find an out — any out — on paying for the vehicle.

We did some public records searches (thanks to the help of Gawker's John Cook) and found Sikes and his wife Patty found themselves, like many in the California real estate business, on the bursting side of the real estate bubble last year. The two declared bankruptcy in June of 2008 and have a combined liability of over $700,000 dollars in debt.

Among the list of creditors holding secured claims is none other than Toyota Financial Services for a lease on a 2008 Toyota Prius with 7,200 miles on the odometer. Total value of the lease at the time of bankruptcy was $20,494.

So, with almost three-quarter million dollars in debt there's obviously the potential for financial motivation here. But, for his part, when we questioned Mr. Sikes over email earlier today, he denied being behind on his Prius payments.

Mr. Sikes also has not shied away from cameras appearing on CNN and numerous other television programs. In each, he's stated numerous times he's not going to sue and isn't looking for any financial remuneration from Toyota other than a new vehicle.

We've asked the law firm representing him to furnish us with an up-to-date copy of his Toyota statement and we'll post that as soon as we receive it — to either debunk this myth or add fuel to any fire.

We'd also like to point out Toyota itself sent out a tweet yesterday showing how a Prius of that generation can easily be stopped if it's accelerating out of control. But, for the moment, we'll ask you to again listen to the full 911 tape and tell us what you think — does that sound like a man faking or genuinely afraid for his life?

But regardless of what happens with the Sikes case, the bigger issue for Toyota will be every cash-strapped 'yota-owner looking for an easy out on their loans and leases potentially thinking about doing just this with their car. That's a lot of potential carnage to wade through.

UPDATE: We're now hearing rumors that Sikes has a history of items in his possession being stolen and him filing for insurance claims. We found at least one case of this in his bankruptcy documents, which we've included below. We're told we should know more about a second incident shortly.

But there's also another, more salacious tidbit we've found which may or may not be irrelevant — we're still trying to fit this piece into the puzzle. Apparently, according to one of the commenters at TTAC, Sikes owned and operated a web site called AdultSwingLife.com. Interesting.

http://jalopnik.com/5491101/did-bankrupt-r...ed-acceleration

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Not that his story isn't true, but it would be a pretty convenient excuse to get publicity, a financial settlement, or to avoid a speeding ticket.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

When I saw him interviewed after the incident, he seemed very calm and matter-of-fact like. Not that that precludes guilt, but I did wonder whether this might have been some kind of stunt. It's odd timing too, that the woman who planted a severed finger in her Wendy's chili was released from prison after serving 5 years. If this guy was pulling a stunt, I hope they throw the book at 'em.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I think his story is BS. His ordeal went on for 30 miles and he had the presence of mind to call 911 but not put the car in neutral? Sounds fishy to me.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Complete BS. Put the car in neutral, push the OFF button for 3 seconds and coast to a halt. It's so easy a caveman can do it.

Not that I don't believe that one in ten thousand Priuses might have a computer glitch (it's a computer on wheels after all), but clearly some people with two little brain capacity are freaking out over nothing, while others with sufficient brain capacity figure out it's a good opportunity to take advantage of the fact that Toyota Motors is one of the wealthiest corporations in the galaxy.

I took advantage of it too. While I would never buy a gas-electric hybrid, I bought TM stock. Looking to make about 20% profit once the smoke has settled.

[Ali G. 37]

I think his story is BS. His ordeal went on for 30 miles and he had the presence of mind to call 911 but not put the car in neutral? Sounds fishy to me.

He said the car would flip.. Did anyone look to see if his brakes lights were on where he was apparently pressing them?

Toyota should sue him for damage to their name.

Edited March 12, 2010 by Ali G.

[Ali G. 37]

Prius was also not part of acceleration recall - only the floormats.

The thought that a prius with its puny motor could overpower the brakes is just ridiculous. Heck my Mountain bike's brakes could probably stop it..

[SMOKE 1,426]

I bought TM stock. Looking to make about 20% profit once the smoke has settled.

good luck with that. the facts that they can't explain or fix their problems has & will continue to cost toyota dearly.

[Niels Bohr 72]

After listening to the 911 tape, it was severely bad acting. His acting is showing.

It seems like this distress call made him sound like he was crying, in great pain, or something related to that effect. And, replying to the 911 operator with one word at a time that is very incoherent to a situation.

The scenerio, driving at 80 mph isn't as bad as driving 100 mph. Heck, most people drive around 80 instead of of 60 or 70. But, the point I'd like to make is that based on driving 80, and his voice on the 911 tape, it it very likely that this guy faked the entire episode.

[Ali G. 37]

Have a look at this news report and pay attention to the logo on his jacket at 2:10.

EgPRBgPRQkI

So a member of an interesting club, as confirmed in other reports, apparently thought it would flip a car by placing it in neutral.

Edited March 12, 2010 by Ali G.

[SMOKE 1,426]

Have a look at this news report and pay attention to the logo on his jacket at 2:10.

EgPRBgPRQkI

So a member of an interesting club, as confirmed in other reports, apparently thought it would flip a car by placing it in neutral.

must be someone else's jacket. a corvette owner would never drive a hybrid prius.

[~Johnny~ 27]

I seriously doubted this whole story from the beginning. For one thing, driving at 80-90 on a California freeway...hah...that's average cruising speed for that highway! They kept making it sound like this poor little Prius was out of control at super-sonic, "nerve rattling" speeds avoiding treachours highway collisions! Believe me, if you're driving 60 on a San Diego freeway, you'll get run over. I also, thought those things had little puny engines, what 0-60, like 12 seconds on a Prius?? And 30 miles is a long fricking way to go without figuring some way to stop a vehicle, emergency brakes, put it in neutral, etc...... then this particul model has a built-in engine stop feature when you hit the brakes??? And...it's not one of those Yotas with accelerator issues related to electronics! And of course his background isn't doing him any favors..... did I read a swinger and in the porn industry??

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Up to his eyeballs in debt and he leases a Prius? What a maroon.