I think the kid in question just wanted to make the news ... which he did, big time over here. Seriously though, how can the cruise control, the foot brake, the hand brake, the transmission and/or clutch, and the ignition key all fail at the same time. I know these things are called 'Ford Exploders' but this is ridiculous.
Funny thing was that while all this was happening and he was tearing down a busy freeway dodging other traffic he could calmly find the number for Ford PR and then ring them on his mobile phone. When that didn't work he called police emergency. Sounds like it was all pre-planned.