 He ascribed the cause to "catastrophic brake failure due to the neglect of mandated commercial vehicle inspections and maintenance by company personnel".Chase found the brake pads were corroded and the tubing to the rear brakes deficient enough that they had failed to work at the time of the accident.He had also examined the soles of Lisinicchia's shoes, noting that his right loafer was severely deformed, with an imprint of the tread on the brake pedal suggesting he was desperately trying to stop the Excursion.