[Jim Pace]

Tragic outcome in this situation for sure. The obvious Neutral, or at least low gear, and Key off quickly come to mind to most reading this forum. Doing the wrong thing in a Panic is also noted by the Audi reference and Pat's comments on the driving schools. Same holds true for the racing schools in regards to doing something totally absurd and sticking with it all the way into the fence and then denying it ever happened. Had that same experience with a 3Day student at Road Atlanta in the early 1990's. Commented to the guy's wife about what he was about to do. Called him on the radio to point out the correct procedure only to have him launch it into the guardrail next lap. The wife caught it all on video and narrated as he drove it into the fence under full power. All of that in the first 30 minutes in the car...in 2nd gear. He left the first day and I think she twisted an extra Christmas present out of his humiliation.
Anyway under stress we don't rise to greatness rather we fall back to the best level of training. Thus the importance of excellent fundamentals. Sad none of the occupants in the original story had any better training.
Also think you give the brake system too much credit. Very rare for a car at sustained full throtle to NOT over power the brakes. After 2-3 applications they are done. They heat up, fade, actually catch fire (pretty cool to see brake pads flaming!!! Plays havoc on plastic wheelcovers) but they just can't stop the car. Think what a small amount of gas & brake does in the racecar. Minor point, the key is to remove the driving force.
Sad for those families.
JP