2001 Ford Explorer Sport cruise control problems

Dt: owns 2001 ford explorer, both driver and passenger are pregnant. Had just entered interstate and was driving about 70 MPH and tried to slow down to about 65MPH. Tried to tap brake but heard engine rev up and it immediately sped back up. Tapped brake again and knew something was wrong. Engaged hazard lights and tried to pull off road. Down shifted to 2nd gear,then to 1st, and slowed to about 50 MPH. Tried to engage emergency brake with no luck. Was using both brakes while traveling in the grass uphill.

2001 explorer sport cut off four times after I started it. After getting it to start, the vehicle wouldn't accelerate any faster than 20 MPH, then it would slow down to almost a complete stop (in traffic!). The accelerator was extremely resistant to the touch. I took it to capital ford in raleigh, nc and informed them I thought it was the cruise control cable (determined this from research). I was told it was the idle air control valve and there was nothing wrong with the cruise control.