Driving back from Rotorfest FTL!!!
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville, Tampa & Tallahassee
Driving back from Rotorfest FTL!!!
So I was on my way back from Rotorfest (see thread "Rotorfest FTW") wrapping up 1000 mile, 2 day road trip (and they say 7's aren't reliable) when my journey is cut short....
I was heading up a 3 lane interstate in the center lane. I decide I want to move into the fast (left) lane so I put on my blinker and look into my rear view mirror....
I see nothing, so I begin to move slowly across my lane to the left. As I approach the dotted white line (I can still see it out my driver's side window) I look into my side mirror and notice an SUV comming up pretty fast in the left lane.
No big deal, I turned the wheel back to the right so I stayed in the center lane instead of crossing into the fast lane. As I did this I continued looking in my side mirror and noticed the SUV dart to the left (seemingly under control) . At this point I returned my attention to the road ahead of me.
As soon as I do I hear squealing tires.....I glance at my side mirror to see the grill of the SUV pointing sharply to the right (remember its int he far left lane..) I slammed on brakes .....but it was too late.
It hit the rear quarter panel, drove right down my door and hit me again on the driver side front quarter/bumper causing me to spin as it herded me off the road.
I ended up going backwards into a concrete drainage ditch and into a small retention pond.
The SUV continued across the ditch, up an embankment, into a fence, into a tree and turning on its side.
I helped a guy out of the passenger window (now the roof) and some passers by helped get 2 kids out. The woman driver (...like it would be anyone else
) had trouble getting out (due partly to the fact that the Explorer was on the edge of a hill) so they had to cut the roof off to get her out.
Here you can see the silhouette of my roof and the mangled SUV int he distance; a testament to how much faster they were going.
..A close up of the Ford Fail...Explorer in its best role, can opener practice
These are the only shots I could get at the scene before the flash quite working due to low battery...
I was heading up a 3 lane interstate in the center lane. I decide I want to move into the fast (left) lane so I put on my blinker and look into my rear view mirror....
I see nothing, so I begin to move slowly across my lane to the left. As I approach the dotted white line (I can still see it out my driver's side window) I look into my side mirror and notice an SUV comming up pretty fast in the left lane.
No big deal, I turned the wheel back to the right so I stayed in the center lane instead of crossing into the fast lane. As I did this I continued looking in my side mirror and noticed the SUV dart to the left (seemingly under control) . At this point I returned my attention to the road ahead of me.
As soon as I do I hear squealing tires.....I glance at my side mirror to see the grill of the SUV pointing sharply to the right (remember its int he far left lane..) I slammed on brakes .....but it was too late.
It hit the rear quarter panel, drove right down my door and hit me again on the driver side front quarter/bumper causing me to spin as it herded me off the road.
I ended up going backwards into a concrete drainage ditch and into a small retention pond.
The SUV continued across the ditch, up an embankment, into a fence, into a tree and turning on its side.
I helped a guy out of the passenger window (now the roof) and some passers by helped get 2 kids out. The woman driver (...like it would be anyone else
) had trouble getting out (due partly to the fact that the Explorer was on the edge of a hill) so they had to cut the roof off to get her out. 
Here you can see the silhouette of my roof and the mangled SUV int he distance; a testament to how much faster they were going.
..A close up of the Ford Fail...Explorer in its best role, can opener practice
These are the only shots I could get at the scene before the flash quite working due to low battery...
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville, Tampa & Tallahassee
After I gave my statement to the highway patrol officer, he asked me to try to start my car. HE, was surprised when Naomi cranked right up. Unfortunately the mud and weeds from the pond kept me from getting traction so I had to pay the wrecker $50 to winch me out 
. I then had to manually raise my one working headlight so I could drive (yea, that's right) to Gainsville to get a better look at the damage. I had to keep the wheel turned 45* the whole way, just to go straight, and I had to keep hitting the warning button on my boost gauge cause the alarm kept going off but
20 miles later...
having officially completed my 1000 mile achievement I decided to stay the night in G-vile and leave in the morning in case something did leave me stranded.
The next morning before I left...
. I then had to manually raise my one working headlight so I could drive (yea, that's right) to Gainsville to get a better look at the damage. I had to keep the wheel turned 45* the whole way, just to go straight, and I had to keep hitting the warning button on my boost gauge cause the alarm kept going off but20 miles later...
having officially completed my 1000 mile achievement I decided to stay the night in G-vile and leave in the morning in case something did leave me stranded.
The next morning before I left...
Oh dude. I'm soo sorry...That's some **** right there. At least you're ok. 
I know how it is. My baby was totalled a few months back because of an idiot in a Suby.
Expect a total loss on your FC though...although...the damage doesn't look that bad at all...
I know how it is. My baby was totalled a few months back because of an idiot in a Suby.
Expect a total loss on your FC though...although...the damage doesn't look that bad at all...
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville, Tampa & Tallahassee
...Drove the 165 miles back home w/o incident and took her through one of those automated car washes (who gives a fu#k about paint now 
) so I could get a better look at the damage. Turns out they had a free self service vacuum, good thing cause there was at least 5 lbs of dirt and dried mud inside
I am NOT in the least bit pleased, but it could be worse, I could be the owner of a drop top explorer
FC: 1
Bitche$ that cant drive SUV's: 0
) so I could get a better look at the damage. Turns out they had a free self service vacuum, good thing cause there was at least 5 lbs of dirt and dried mud inside
I am NOT in the least bit pleased, but it could be worse, I could be the owner of a drop top explorer
FC: 1
Bitche$ that cant drive SUV's: 0
.
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It buffed right out, lol, just kidding. I'm glad to hear you are alright. I want to hear the estimate on how much it will cost though. It's probably going to cause that woman a fortune.
didnt ya just wax it or something then had the photo shoot in the garage? sucks but still cleaned up very well from a automated car wash..time for a s5 conversion now though
Weird Cat Man
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,868
Likes: 3
From: A pale blue dot
I hate SUV drivers. They are hurtling down the road in one of the most unstable things known to man with no concern for what happens if....
My suggusted SUV improvements:
1) Speed governed to 55 mph
2) Not allowed in left lane
3) Requires commercial driver's license
4) Requries extra insurance
5) 40 mpg minimum (this helps keep weight down hah)
6) Not allowed to have more than 6 inches of ground clearance (do you want to go head on with a redneck in a truck with 3 feet of clearance at the bumper?)
My suggusted SUV improvements:
1) Speed governed to 55 mph
2) Not allowed in left lane
3) Requires commercial driver's license
4) Requries extra insurance
5) 40 mpg minimum (this helps keep weight down hah)
6) Not allowed to have more than 6 inches of ground clearance (do you want to go head on with a redneck in a truck with 3 feet of clearance at the bumper?)
87 NA build in progress
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Portland
I hate SUV drivers. They are hurtling down the road in one of the most unstable things known to man with no concern for what happens if....
My suggusted SUV improvements:
1) Speed governed to 55 mph
2) Not allowed in left lane
3) Requires commercial driver's license
4) Requries extra insurance
5) 40 mpg minimum (this helps keep weight down hah)
6) Not allowed to have more than 6 inches of ground clearance (do you want to go head on with a redneck in a truck with 3 feet of clearance at the bumper?)
My suggusted SUV improvements:
1) Speed governed to 55 mph
2) Not allowed in left lane
3) Requires commercial driver's license
4) Requries extra insurance
5) 40 mpg minimum (this helps keep weight down hah)
6) Not allowed to have more than 6 inches of ground clearance (do you want to go head on with a redneck in a truck with 3 feet of clearance at the bumper?)
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,859
Likes: 13
From: Sterling Heights, MI
I hate SUV drivers. They are hurtling down the road in one of the most unstable things known to man with no concern for what happens if....
My suggusted SUV improvements:
1) Speed governed to 55 mph
2) Not allowed in left lane
3) Requires commercial driver's license
4) Requries extra insurance
5) 40 mpg minimum (this helps keep weight down hah)
6) Not allowed to have more than 6 inches of ground clearance (do you want to go head on with a redneck in a truck with 3 feet of clearance at the bumper?)
My suggusted SUV improvements:
1) Speed governed to 55 mph
2) Not allowed in left lane
3) Requires commercial driver's license
4) Requries extra insurance
5) 40 mpg minimum (this helps keep weight down hah)
6) Not allowed to have more than 6 inches of ground clearance (do you want to go head on with a redneck in a truck with 3 feet of clearance at the bumper?)
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville, Tampa & Tallahassee
I hate SUV drivers. They are hurtling down the road in one of the most unstable things known to man with no concern for what happens if....
My suggusted SUV improvements:
1) Speed governed to 55 mph
2) Not allowed in left lane
3) Requires commercial driver's license
4) Requries extra insurance
5) 40 mpg minimum (this helps keep weight down hah)
6) Not allowed to have more than 6 inches of ground clearance (do you want to go head on with a redneck in a truck with 3 feet of clearance at the bumper?)
My suggusted SUV improvements:
1) Speed governed to 55 mph
2) Not allowed in left lane
3) Requires commercial driver's license
4) Requries extra insurance
5) 40 mpg minimum (this helps keep weight down hah)
6) Not allowed to have more than 6 inches of ground clearance (do you want to go head on with a redneck in a truck with 3 feet of clearance at the bumper?)
I'd actually settle for a special license to drive them which requires that a person pass a class whose teachings include "what your vehicle can and can't do" (like execute any quick manuvers at interstate speeds)......which would be governed at 55 mph
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,815
Likes: 24
From: Columbia, Tennessee
As long as the frame isn't twisted you can bondo out the dents and buy a new fender and door. Don't junk it!!! I hope you get some sort of settlement to pay for the repairs.
Epilepsy
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: ..
Not even, just give them a totally separate lane, like an HOV lane.
Last edited by Eple; Aug 5, 2008 at 10:59 PM.
Damn dude, sorry to hear that. It's very unfortunate **** like this happens. I do not know how I would handle myself if someone else's actions were to cause my FC to get damaged. They would have to arrest me and take me to jail immediately.
Glad your alright and that no one got hurt. Sucks man, car can be replaced but lives cannot. Glad your ok.
-Allen G.
Glad your alright and that no one got hurt. Sucks man, car can be replaced but lives cannot. Glad your ok.
-Allen G.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville, Tampa & Tallahassee
Well, I sure as hell didn't get a ticket, but I didn't see them give the ... bitc.......woman a ticket either. Then again she WAS being carried off on a stretcher (as a precautionary measure).
The FHP report wont be ready for a few days, so I guess I'll find out then if Progressive will be paying what they owe!
The FHP report wont be ready for a few days, so I guess I'll find out then if Progressive will be paying what they owe!
