Not a gear/motor head here, but running low or even out of fuel can cause problems like you are experiencing. It's a high pressure system and fuel pumps have been known to burn out. I know it's no help now but something to keep in mind as long as you continue to drive, is a rule of thumb pilots live by; it is always better to burn off the top half of a tank than the bottom.
Gearhead 101: Spark / Fuel
After what you've said that you've already done;
Turn the key on without trying to start it, you should be able to hear the fuel pump, it will be very faint and be coming from under the back seat.
Next, (no matter if you've heard the pump or not, pull a spark plug, connect the wire to it, turn the car over & see if you get spark. (if not it is an electrical problem / if so, replace the plug & wire, then....)
Pull the I/C & check the bleeder on the fuel rail for pressure, if there's none, fuel pump or power to it, if there is, bleed it off completely, (catch the fuel with something) go back & turn the car ON (only, do not try & start it,), leave the key on for a min. or so, turn it off, go back & check if you've re-pressurised the system, if so it's def. not the pump.
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