Sigh... Been just under a year now, still brings a tear to my eye.

The conditions:

Started as any other day, up early to beat the traffic and work another 7-3 shift. Nice and light from a week-old fillup, engine warm and cool air to keep her happy. Beautiful ruby and orange sunrise with no clouds to be seen, asphalt as dry as the Sahara. Sprinting down a three-lane with nothing but room ahead of me and enough twists to make my feet light and steady... All in all, the perfect start to a day.

The setting:

Up and over the bridge, coming down onto an offramp that spirals - cambered, tight radius, twin lane - up and over the highway again, and then comes back and down onto a highway feeder tangent and a nice, long uphill right.

The warning:

Right at the crest of the overpass, tail lights in the far right, moving slightly under the limit. Highway feeder route splits off and remaining 3 lanes merge to two. Managing the throttle and the line for an easy late-apex lanechange on the downhill to pass the slowboater and line up for another late-apex uphill. 100 feet to go till I'm alongside him, and... He tries to pull an illegal U-turn onto the opposite direction's highway feeder, to cut (I figure) about 20 minutes of gridlock time.

The impact:

Stabbed pedals and braced shoulders, hands loose on the wheel, hit his rear driver's quarter panel and spun him a full 180. Rex transferred 80% of the impact to him, carried forward about 10 feet in a straight line from collision point. Put my knee into the console and drew a bit of blood, hobbled for 2 days and was fine after that. He knocked his head lightly against the roof line and door jamb, spewed tools out behind his car in a sprinkler arc.

Final Thoughts:

First thing I could think was "Ohgod, I'm still okay. Thank you for protecting me to the end, baby." Front engine bay accordioned to the engine block, which was up and right by about 3 inches each. Fire Dept rolled up and covered the fluid spills, gave the guy a quick once-over, and shook my hand. (Lv3 first aid, or industrial. Self diagnosis, took an ice pack and a lot of walking to ease it.) Chatted with them till the tow showed, loaded her up for the last time

After talking to the insurance adjuster with pics in-hand and a Google topographical of the location, along with a very good description of the location of both cars before/during/after, netted me 100% of purchase price from 3 years previous, and 0% fault.

The kicker? It was his girlfriend's car, he "borrowed" it while she was out of country on vacation. I heard she sued him (from my adjuster). Revenge for my first lover, never could have been more poetic. Thanks for reading my baby's last moments, hope it brings you a tear or a little more respect for the beast beneath the bonnet

 

This was you? ****. I drove by it and got sad. Good to hear your okay and ICBC didnt completely rape you.

 

Yeah, definitely got lucky with ICBC. Tow driver was super friendly too, gave me a ride up to my job on the way to the impound lot. Really shaken up for a week, sore for a month, and happy to be alive.

I saved the shift **** and the manual, they still bring back memories. *sniff*

 

Sorry to hear it.. That really sucks.. That really really sucks.. On epic proportions.. Glad to hear it all kinda sorta worked out though..

But Remember:

FC's are like girlfriends.. when one leaves you, you have to go looking for another.. Just the way of things.. Good luck with the next one.

 

Very well written, and my condolences on your loss. Sometimes even the fastest reflexes and honed skills can't save us from the most worthless *******'s me-me-me VIP attitude manifesting in a driving manuever like this.

 

Sorry to Hear.

 

she gave her life to save you, better luck on the next one

 

you live in San Diego?

 

written very well... sorry to hear that man...

 

sorry to hear that at least your ok.