The Saylor family: (L-R) Mark Saylor, his daughter Mahala, and wife Cleofe/Balitang America

A Filipino woman who lost 4 members of her family in a car crash that involved a defective Toyota vehicle spoke before the US congressional panel probing Japan's automaker, an online news provider reported.

According to SignOnSanDiego.com, Fe Lastrella lost her son Chris, daughter Cleofe Saylor, son-in-law Mark Saylor and 13-year-old granddaughter Mahala Saylor, in the accident that happened August 2009.

Lastrella told the US House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that she testified "for the safety of someone else in the world."

The 4 were killed when the Toyota Lexus sedan driven by Mark Saylor accelerated out of control on State Route 125 in Santee, San Diego, California on Aug. 28. The vehicle reportedly ran off the road, rolled over several times and burst into flames.

Reports added the Lexus ES-350 was just provided to Saylor while his own Lexus was being serviced.

Lastrella described her eldest child Cleofe as a dedicated wife and mother and a respected colleague in her biotech field. Cleofe's husband, Mark "was a person of honor and integrity" and likewise was a dedicated California highway patrolman.

Her granddaughter, Mahala “was a promising athlete” and captain of her high school soccer team, while son Chris Lastrella was an aspiring voice actor with a passion for basketball.

In another report by the News Tribune online, Bicol Club president Charlotte Fajardo described the Saylors as a quiet and solid family.

Agence France-Presse reported that Toyota President Akio Toyoda apologized for the auto defects. Toyoda also assured US lawmakers and clients of his personal commitment “that Toyota will work vigorously and unceasingly to restore the trust of our customers.”

AFP added that 3 US congressional panels have launched investigations into incidents of sudden unintended acceleration blamed for nearly 40 US deaths and tied to the recall of some 8 million Toyota vehicles worldwide. With Balitang America