Toyota says no evidence "runaway" Prius happened

Toyota said a brake override in the Prius would have cut engine power to the vehicle had the driver applied "moderate" pressure on the brake pedal.

Instead, Sikes appeared to have driven with the accelerator depressed and only light pressure on the brake pedal.

As a result, the front brakes showed signs of "severe wear and damage from overheating," Toyota said.

"These findings suggest there should be further examination of Mr. Sikes' account of the events of March 8," Toyota said.

A lawyer for Sikes, John Gomez, could not be immediately reached for comment.

(Additional reporting by Bernie Woodall in Detroit; Writing by Kevin Krolicki; Editing by Richard Chang)