What could cause loss of power while driving then regain of power while also losing 80%brakes at same time

Wife was driving the ford explorer, was fine all day long around town going to various places, it will still start up just fine and motor seems strong as it always has been. What happened is while driving she said she heard a loud bang and said she thought she may have been hit by a car or something but then noticed she a had loss of acceleration ability, she then heard the same "bang" as she described to me and was able to start going again. She said she had to pump the brakes in order to stop. Back brakes were adjusted a yr ago which are drums and front brakes were replaced. Transmission has never so much as slipped so I am confused as to how both things that normally have nothing in common can break at the exact same time. Any clues?