I am a state trooper who investigated a crash. The vehicle in question was involved in the crash. The vehicle that caused the crash was a 2013 VW Tiguan. This vehicle has an electrically actuated parking brake. The switch, very similar to a power window switch, is located between the front seats adjacent to the cup holder. The driver, reaching for the cup accidentally hit the parking brake switch activating it. The car came to an immediate stop in a traffic lane of an interstate and the vehicle following struck it in the rear causing extensive damage to both vehicles. I manipulated the switch trying to release the brake so the tow operator could pull it unto the flat bed of the truck. It was unclear how to release the brake (I was unable to do so),or how it was initially activated. The switch can be pulled up, or pushed down, presumably to engage or disengage the brake. It should be noted unlike a pedal or lever style parking brake, there is no way to modulate the amount of braking effort. From what I observed, it appears the driver gets full braking force or none at all. The location of the switch makes it easy to strike accidentally either by reaching for the cup holder or even while trying to reposition yourself in the seat.

- Springfield, IL, USA