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While driving down Interstate Highway 35 in Missouri, Lauri Ulvestad, 47, had the most terrifying experience she could possibly imagine.
Ulvestad’s accelorator got stuck as she drove up the interstate and topped speeds up to 120 mph. With no way to slow down, she weaved through traffic and even a construction zone trying to avoid other drivers in her 2011 Kia Sorento.
Ulvestad was driving north on the interstate near Bethany, Mo., on Sunday when she realized that her accelerator was stuck. Panicking, she called 911, and soon had two state troopers to move traffic. With one pulled in front of her to alert traffic ahead and the other behind her, she dodged traffic while being forced into the median several times to avoid other drivers.
Patrol spokesman Sheldon Lyon praised Ulvestad saying, “Not only to drive fast, but to go into the median, pull back up into the passing lane and hit that asphalt lip – and not overcorrect – it was really amazing to see her do that repeatedly.”
Lyon reported that the three cars covered 59 miles in 35 minutes before Ulvestad was able to suddenly slow the vehicle and stop on the inside shoulder near Osceola, Ia., about 40 miles north of the state line.
Ulvestad had tried everything the 911 operator had told her to do, including trying to shift the vehicle to neutral, without any luck. But finally as she passed Osceloa, she was told to lift up the accelerator and push on the brake.
“And so I did that, and it slammed me from 119 mph to like nothing,” she said.
Since the incident, Ulvestad’s vehicle has been inspected by Kia Motors America Inc. in Irvine California, but the problem was not found. Kia has provided Ulvestad with an alterative transportation and is working on the problem and releasing a statement saying, “Our technicians have been unable to duplicate the issue and this appears to be an isolated incident. KMA will continue to investigate and analyze the facts of this situation and will work with the customer to resolve the matter in a timely manner.”
