I believe this line https://github.com/OAI/OpenAPI-Specification/blob/main/schemas/v3.1/schema.json#L294

ie:

"$ref": "#/$defs/path-item"

should actually be

"$ref": "#/$defs/path-item-or-reference"

according to the docs https://spec.openapis.org/oas/v3.1.0#pathItemObject

as when I am trying to use a json schema validator on my OpenAPI document I am getting an error like:

OpenAPI document invalid: not allowed - https://spec.openapis.org/oas/3.1/schema/2022-10-07#/$defs/path-item/unevaluatedProperties

for the below snippet

paths:
  /vehicles/{id}/pedals/accelerator:
    $ref: "./paths/acceleratorv3.yaml"