Dashcam video shows dramatic steps to stop runaway BMW

VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Fellsmere Police released dashcam video showing the dramatic efforts to bring a runaway BMW to a halt on Interstate 95.

Joseph Cooper, of Palm Coast, called 911on Monday to say the gas pedal to his BMW X5 was stuck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Authorities put down out stop sticks on the highway near SR 60 and again near mile marker 151 to puncture the tires.

The BMW ultimately came to a halt near mile marker 155 in a cloud of dust.

Cooper was taken to the Indian River Medical Center to be checked out.

CBS 12 reached out to BMW for comment on this story. They responded to us saying that the vehicle had no outstanding recalls and the scenario they read off articles were 'implausible."

Here is their full response:

"Based on the articles we have seen, the scenario described is implausible to BMW and we would be happy to work with the Florida State Police to investigate the cause of this incident.

BMW drivers have long been able to rely on integrated safety systems that help ensure safe operation of every BMW vehicle. All BMW vehicles, including the 2003 X5 described in this incident, employ an electronic accelerator pedal which uses software logic to override the accelerator whenever the brake pedal is pressed while driving. This fail-safe software means that if the vehicle detects that both pedals are depressed, the on-board electronics will reduce engine power so that the driver may stop safely.

Furthermore, the accelerator pedal in BMW vehicles is hinged at the bottom, and mounts to the floor. Therefore an object or floor mat cannot slide under the accelerator pedal and jam it. Original BMW floor mats are custom-fitted for each vehicle, and are installed with anchors to keep them properly located in the front footwells of each vehicle.

The vehicle could also have been stopped by two additional means: By placing the transmission in neutral and coasting to a stop and/or by shutting off the ignition without removing the key. This is accomplished by turning the key counterclockwise. The engine would have shut off and the driver could have safely coasted the vehicle to a stop."