So I totaled a car... But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

[turboale]

So I was on the way out to a Cruiser meet on friday night to get some interviews for my documentary and was in an accident. There were a few things that all put together ended up with me plowing into the back of an 18wheeler. First I had just entered at 65 zone down from 70 where I had my cruise set at 78-79 while the truck slowed down before he reached the hill and b/c he was at a full load (of sod) he was only going (from what he said) 55-60. As I was cresting the hill i was looking down plugging in my cell phone and by the time I looked up I only had time to slam my foot to the floor but by the time the abs was going off we collided with the back of the truck. At first I tried to avoid the accident by turning but by the time I started to do that I realized that there was no way I was going to avoid it and decided head on was the way to go to evenly distribute the force instead of possibly having it all in one spot or even worse, piercing the vehicle. Because of the height of the bumper the frame rails were virtually un-touched (see pictures) instead it peeled the front of the car back like a can-opener and the engine/body is what ended up stopping us. The windshield had shattered and luckily we didn't get stuck under the trailer but continued under our own momentum. What's even more lucky is I didn't lose consciousness and I had enough sense to turn the wheel to the right (we were in right lane) to get us out of the road. The battery is located in the front (as with most vehicles) and was about 20ft behind the vehicle by the time we stopped and needless to say didn't have any brake/hazard lights and that could have been REALLY bad had we stopped in the middle of the road. While we waited for the police to show there was debris EVERYWHERE and all I could think about was some final destination crap where a car would hit something and send it sailing our way as we were using the car for cover. Anyway, everyone is safe and I had it the worst since I tensed up a bit to slam on the brakes right before impact but there was nothing in the XRays that would suggest anything other than some tense muscles. The guy who I hit was nice enough to give my buddy and I a lift too the Holiday Inn Express and we capped the night with some shine. Anyway, here are some pics...

Semi-1 Maxima-0
http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v126/165/42/39601689/n39601689_32062897_4230.jpg
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v126/165/42/39601689/n39601689_32064983_3981.jpg
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v141/165/42/39601689/n39601689_32062898_8304.jpg

and I'll be the first to say...
http://plod.popoever.com/upfiles/img/050206/drive.jpg

[calrockx]

whoopsy!

well that sucks, austin. but of course the important thing is you guys are okay. next car: bluetooth connection and hands free dialing....yeah.

[Seanz0rz]

well good thing you are OK. car looked like it did great in the accident! i see a bit of a distortion in the a pillar, about half way up, which leads me to believe it will be totaled.

i hope we all can learn a lesson from this, put down the fricken phone and drive!

glad you are all ok man! thats all that matters. and thankfully it was not another 4runner!

[MTL_4runner]

Wow Austin, glad you made it out of that one ok.

[jrallan26]

ouch!!

[Cebby]

Glad you are OK Austin.

And now the real reason for the accident.....






































...you were amped up on NOS!!!
http://rigs.corequipment.com/Cebby/Misc_Pics/turboale.jpg

;)

[wifesaysimadumbass]

dude that sucks but i share the same sentiment as the rest of these knuckleheads... glad you guys are ok....i'll buy the limoronas next time your in town so i can hear the full story

[Good Times]

austin, i'm glad you're ok and your friend survived that accident. the images probably doesn't really display the extent of how hard the force was but i'm sure it was pretty violent.

[ecchamberlin]

Glad you are all good Austin. Too bad though I like those Maximas with the roof windows. Nice cars.

We all probably break the driving and talking on the phone laws from time to time but I saw a great bumper sticker a little while ago

Your driving a Car NOT a Phone Booth.
Get OFF the Phone!

I like it!

Seems like the first questions from cops and insurance Co's now are: was there a cell phone in the car and were you on it? Hope they don't bend you over too bad.

[bamachem]

hey, good to hear that you're OK.

btw: who's car was that? you still have the G35, don't you?

[Texas Jim]

Man, that reminds me of Bill Cosby's little bit about his mother always insting that he had clean underware on. His reply was to his Mother, "When you enter the freeway going the wrong way and you see a Mack truck comming head on at you!" :yikes: "First you say it, then you do it!" So much for clean undies... LOL

Glad to hear you both are A-OK!! Did you have your belts on also?? The hood is just shredded!! No doubt it's totalled..... Glad your around to show us!!! :thumbup: TJ