At least 15 Toyota drivers have complained to U.S. safety officials that their cars sped up by themselves even after being fixed under recalls for sticky gas pedals or floor mat problems.

This is according to an analysis by the Associate Press.

The development raises questions about whether Toyota’s repairs will bring an end to the cases of wild, uncontrolled acceleration or if there may be electronic causes behind the complaints that have dogged the automaker.

Although the allegations were unverified by the agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Wednesday it was contacting people who have complained about acceleration problems even after repairs were done under two large recalls. The agency wants to hear from others who have had similar troubles, it said.

“If Toyota owners are still experiencing sudden acceleration incidents after taking their cars to the dealership, we want to know about it,” agency administrator David Strickland said in a statement.

The new complaints raised eyebrows in Congress, which has held three hearings on the recalls in the past week and is investigating Toyota’s safety problems.

“I am deeply concerned that NHTSA has received this many reports of possible sudden unanticipated acceleration even after these vehicles have received Toyota’s recommended fix,” said Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, who serves on one of the committees investigating Toyota.

“It’s critical that we get to the bottom of this problem as quickly as possible.”

Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons said Wednesday the company was investigating the complaints, though it remains confident in its recall fixes. Teams of engineers are being mobilized to check into the complaints, he said.

Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide since October to fix floor mats that can snag gas pedals or faulty gas pedal assemblies that can stick.

NHTSA says 52 people have been killed in crashes linked to Toyota’s acceleration problems. Toyota has blamed mechanical causes or drivers pressing the wrong pedal. However, some question whether the electronic throttle system or a software glitch may be at fault, rather than a mechanical issue involving pedals. Toyota says it is looking into electronics as a possible cause.

Source: The Associated Press

A 28-year-old Round Rock woman  was killed Sunday in a wreck just before 3 a.m. in the 11000 block of South Texas 195 in Killeen.

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers are looking for a run-a-way driver who may have caused a car accident that killed a 5-year-old Texas girl.

Lily Bunker, a vivacious, beautiful little girl, died five days before Halloween on her way to school. She was in the kindergarten at Prairie Lea schools in Caldwell County.

Witnesses say the driver of an 18-wheeler hauling gravel attempted to switch lanes just before approaching FM 1977.  The driver clipped a Mercedes in the next lane. It sent that Mercedes into oncoming traffic. It struck the back of Bunker’s Camero where Lily and her 7-year-old brother Jamie were sitting.

The truck driver who caused the accident, never stopped.

DPS Troopers describe the gravel truck as a white or gray 18-wheeler with bottom- or rear-dumping capability. The truck driver could face the felony charge of failure to stop and render aid. If you can help solve this case, call DPS at 512-398-4333.