Sorry, but the accelerator did stick

Years ago, I went to an interview, and got a rental car. On the way to the motel, I entered the interstate and found my car kept accelerating. I took my foot off the gas, and it kept accelerating. I tried to tap the accelerator, and it was stuck. I put on the brake lightly (this will disengage the automatic speed control if it was on) and nothing happened. I was afraid to press on the brake too hard for fear of skidding, so I changed gear into neutral (a somewhat dangerous procedure when one is going 60 mph in the middle lane of a three lane highway where everyone else was going 70) and as the car slowed, I slowly drifted into the shoulder, with the engine revving fast.

At this point, I turned off the engine. After restarting, I didn't have the problem, but I was scared and thankful that I escaped death.

The next day, I exchanged the car with the rental company, who were very snotty as if I had caused the problem.

Now we are told "electronic flaws" didn't cause the problem, but "sticking accelerator pedals and floor mat interference". Well, the cause wouldn't have mattered if you are dead.