![Kia Sorento accelerates out of control on Interstate [Video]](http://cdn4.leftlanenews.com/photos/content/june2012/thumbnails5.0/sorento-incident-lg1_653.jpg)
Lauri Ulvestad, 47, of Ames, Iowa had a terrifying ride in her Kia after her 2011 Kia Sorento reached speeds over 110 mph. As can be seen in the video below, Ulvestad managed to keep the vehicle under control despite having to repeatedly drive onto and off the median to avoid a high-speed rear end collision on several occasions.
She was said to be driving north on the Interstate 35 when she discovered that her accelerator pedal was stuck and she was unable to override it. In a panic, she managed to call police who managed to catch up with her and try to get ahead to move traffic out of her way. And yes, she tried everything she was advised over the phone to try and stop.
During the 59 mile, 35 minute long ordeal, Ulvestad remained in contact with the Highway Patrol headquarters in Jefferson City. Strategies including trying to shift the vehicle into neutral didn't work. It was only when she was told to lift up the accelerator and push on the brake did the car suddenly come to a stop. "And so I did that, and it slammed me from 119 mph to like nothing," Ulvestad said.
Patrol spokesman Sheldon Lyon had nothing but praise for Ulvestad and the two troopers. However, he said the he was very disappointed that several drivers did not pull over when the patrol cars approached from behind. "Every close call was caused by people who wouldn't get out of the way for the lights and sirens," he said. "They ended up with near misses several times."
According to Lyon, one strategy that they did not try, but will consider if such a situation eventuates again in the future, is to try throwing the vehicle's key fob out the window. The Kia Sorento, like many cars, has a proximity sensor with the theory being that that the car's immobilizer may have shut down the engine.
According to Kia, the episode is being labelled an isolated incident as its technicians have been unable to duplicate the fault. It has supplied Ulvestad with alternative transportation while it continues to investigate what went wrong with the Sorento.
