Apparently he hit the accelerator rather than the brake when trying to stop. I have noticed when in the US that people drive automatic cars with 2 feet, 1 on the brake and one on the accelerator. ALways thought it was a bit unusual.
I have no desire to start an argument, but I’ve been visiting the U.S. once or twice per year since 1976, and have driven in 18 or 19 of the Lower 48, plus Québec and Ontario, and I have no recall of being behind cars on the freeways with their brake lights permanently on.
I’ve never used my left foot to brake when driving an auto, there, or in U.K., I did however, often sit at the lights with my left foot on the footbrake in my Black Cab, with my right foot hovering over the accelerator, ready to take off as close to a scalded cat as the 2.7 Nissan engine would allow, as soon as the lights changed.