"American Father of the Prius" Dies in Fatal Plane Crash

Washington DC November 27, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that David Hermance, 59, the Toyota Motor Corp. executive engineer described as the "American father of the Prius" died in a plane crash Saturday afternoon about 50 yards off Los Angeles' San Pedro area, according to The Detroit News.

Hermance was among the country's top experts on gas-electric hybrid vehicles and was key in bringing the technology to the U.S. market. A search team found the wreckage of the two-passenger Interavia E-3 aircraft submerged in 60 feet of water Sunday morning, county Fire Capt. Mark Savage said.