F'd up my Solara
by kgzero1 » Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:56 am
So here is the story:
Driving to work on 14N at 5:50 AM in the carpool lane, when all of a sudden I hit a big rock, looked to be just a little smaler than a soccer ball. Now, normally I would have swerved out of the way, but: 1) I was going fast, at least 75mph; 2)I was on cruise control, which made my reaction time longer; and 3) I was sleepy.
Anyway, after hitting the rock, I lost control, and headed towards the left, where there is only the shaved mountain side and a lot of the same rocks I had just hit. Drove right into countless more rocks.
I then gained control momentarily, just enough time to get my butt out of
the rocks and back onto the Freeway.
Lost control again, as my left wheel and rim were pulverized, spun out across all lanes of traffic.
Gained control and managed to stop the car facing the right way. I ended up on the other side of the freeway. From the carpool lane to the right side of the freeway.
It happened so fast, I didn't have time to be scared. I don't even know how I managed to gain control of the car. I somehow was calm enough to do all the right things. I surprised myself, and was scared after the fact.
Anyway, the tire is gone, the rim looks like someone took a sledge hammer to it, the rocker panel is bent, the mudguard that was on the rocker panel is gone, the door is slightly crooked, and there are deep scrathes everywhere on the front drivers side.
Took it into the shop, had to replace the axle, left strut, left spring, rim, and tire.
Now I have to replace the rocker panel and somehow figure out how to fix my door. Hopefully it is just somthing simple. Oh, and repaint the front drivers side of the car. Oh well, I am alive.
I got very lucky that there was no one immeidately behind me or next to me when it happened. Thank god.
Just wanna tell everyone to stay safe, and don't drive when you are sleepy.
Driving to work on 14N at 5:50 AM in the carpool lane, when all of a sudden I hit a big rock, looked to be just a little smaler than a soccer ball. Now, normally I would have swerved out of the way, but: 1) I was going fast, at least 75mph; 2)I was on cruise control, which made my reaction time longer; and 3) I was sleepy.
Anyway, after hitting the rock, I lost control, and headed towards the left, where there is only the shaved mountain side and a lot of the same rocks I had just hit. Drove right into countless more rocks.
I then gained control momentarily, just enough time to get my butt out of
the rocks and back onto the Freeway.
Lost control again, as my left wheel and rim were pulverized, spun out across all lanes of traffic.
Gained control and managed to stop the car facing the right way. I ended up on the other side of the freeway. From the carpool lane to the right side of the freeway.
It happened so fast, I didn't have time to be scared. I don't even know how I managed to gain control of the car. I somehow was calm enough to do all the right things. I surprised myself, and was scared after the fact.
Anyway, the tire is gone, the rim looks like someone took a sledge hammer to it, the rocker panel is bent, the mudguard that was on the rocker panel is gone, the door is slightly crooked, and there are deep scrathes everywhere on the front drivers side.
Took it into the shop, had to replace the axle, left strut, left spring, rim, and tire.
Now I have to replace the rocker panel and somehow figure out how to fix my door. Hopefully it is just somthing simple. Oh, and repaint the front drivers side of the car. Oh well, I am alive.
I got very lucky that there was no one immeidately behind me or next to me when it happened. Thank god.
Just wanna tell everyone to stay safe, and don't drive when you are sleepy.
2005 Solara SE
4 banger 5 speed MT
Lunar Mist Metallic
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/850364
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2055035
4 banger 5 speed MT
Lunar Mist Metallic
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/850364
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2055035
- kgzero1
- SolaraGuy Driver
- Posts: 360
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2005 10:27 pm
- Location: Burbank, CA
At least nobody was hurt.
