TOKYO (AP): Two years before the fatal accident that prompted Toyota to warn 3.8 million American car owners to take out floor mats, Troy Johnson died in a crash also suspected of being caused by a floor mat jamming an accelerator.

Melodie Bohuchot, the widow, pleaded with Toyota Motor Corp Thursday to act quickly to prevent any more accidents.

"I just want Toyota to fix the problem now. Don't wait," Bohuchot, 30, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Sacramento, California. "How many people have to die before they take this seriously?"

best-selling

Earlier this week, Toyota informed the US government it will be sending letters by first-class mail to owners of the best-selling Camry, the Prius hybrid and other models to remove floor mats on the driver's side and not replace them. It was the second time in a little over two years that Toyota has acknowledged problems with floor mats in the US.

Toyota said the gas pedal may get stuck when the floor mat is unsecured or incompatible, making it difficult to stop and potentially causing a crash that could result in serious injury or death.

Toyota has also distributed a statement of warning through the media and on its website. It expects to begin sending the letters in late October and complete the effort in December.