Single vehicle accident, Camaro ZL1 vs a Tree

[JulesMaximus]

So, I'm driving to work this morning and I'm coming up over this rise on a 45mph road, two lanes in each direction, bike lanes on either side and a wide median in the middle of the road (no raised divider). There are wide green areas on each side with lots of well established trees and a meandering sidewalk/jogging trail. There is a curb on both sides of the road probably 8-10" high. Area is a nice area of San Diego, lots of $800-900k homes.

I see two Police cars pulled over to the side and a new Camaro ZL1 completely off the road and facing the wrong way with a tree probably 12" in diameter on its side (knocked down by the Camaro obviously). Driver is out and talking to Police. Weather is 45 degrees, clear and no wind. Roads are clean and pavement is in good condition, smooth pavement, no potholes, no debris on the road, no gravel.

What caused this accident? No other cars were involved, guy was a white guy, no handcuffs so I have to rule out a high speed chase. If I had to guess I'd say loss of control due to the nimrod behind the wheel, probably something involving the turning off of traction control and an exhibition of speed.

 

[WilliamM2]

Probably a cell phone involved in there somewhere.

 

[gorcorps]

So, I'm driving to work this morning and I'm coming up over this rise on a 45mph road, two lanes in each direction, bike lanes on either side and a wide median in the middle of the road (no raised divider). There are wide green areas on each side with lots of well established trees and a meandering sidewalk/jogging trail. There is a curb on both sides of the road probably 8-10" high. Area is a nice area of San Diego, lots of $800-900k homes.

I see two Police cars pulled over to the side and a new Camaro ZL1 completely off the road and facing the wrong way with a tree probably 12" in diameter on its side (knocked down by the Camaro obviously). Driver is out and talking to Police. Weather is 45 degrees, clear and no wind. Roads are clean and pavement is in good condition, smooth pavement, no potholes, no debris on the road, no gravel.

What caused this accident? No other cars were involved, guy was a white guy, no handcuffs so I have to rule out a high speed chase. If I had to guess I'd say loss of control due to the nimrod behind the wheel, probably something involving the turning off of traction control and an exhibition of speed.

The best part is that you couldn't rule out high speed chase just based on the absence of handcuffs alone... You also made sure he was white

 

[JulesMaximus]

The best part is that you couldn't rule out high speed chase just based on the absence of handcuffs alone... You also made sure he was white

His car was silver and the trees are eucalyptus if you want even more detail.

If it was a high speed chase he wouldn't have been standing around talking to Police. He would have been on the ground in handcuffs... and there would have been more than 2 cop cars. If he was black he may have been on the ground in handcuffs regardless.

 

[master_shake_]

lawsuit for unintended acceleration incoming.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Probably was driving like an idiot. Feel the power WHEEEE!! oh crap oh crap *SMASH*

And good job bringing race into it like that should even matter

 

[MongGrel]

Probably was driving like an idiot. Feel the power WHEEEE!! oh crap oh crap *SMASH*

And good job bringing race into it like that should even matter

Pretty much this, I imagine.

And a phone involved also would not surprise me.

 

[KeithP]

No other cars were involved...

And you know that how? All you can say for sure was that there wasn't another vehicle at the scene.

-KeithP

 

[MikeMAN]

My guess is it was in large part due to tires and his stupidity. Those tires turn into hockey puck levels of hardness when they don't have heat in them, can be like driving on a very very slick surface especially if it was only 45 out. I found this out once in my older Evo, people kept telling me how aggressive the OEM tires were, I didn't believe them...and I went around a corner (moderate gas) and ended up in someones front lawn...35 degrees out and my lack of experience + no tire grip => Bad news!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Probably was driving like an idiot. Feel the power WHEEEE!! oh crap oh crap *SMASH*

And good job bringing race into it like that should even matter

Are you implying that race makes no difference in how we're treated by the police?

You're right, it shouldn't matter... but it frequently does.

 

[jlee]

My guess is it was in large part due to tires and his stupidity. Those tires turn into hockey puck levels of hardness when they don't have heat in them, can be like driving on a very very slick surface especially if it was only 45 out. I found this out once in my older Evo, people kept telling me how aggressive the OEM tires were, I didn't believe them...and I went around a corner (moderate gas) and ended up in someones front lawn...35 degrees out and my lack of experience + no tire grip => Bad news!

lol, yeah. I took the MR2 out last night, ~40f outside on Star Specs and was losing grip at maybe half throttle..

 

[SSSnail]

Do you know how strong a 12" tree is? I doubt your entire story based on the false description of the tree's diameter.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Do you know how strong a 12" tree is? I doubt your entire story based on the false description of the tree's diameter.

I will readily admit that I didn't stop and measure it but it doesn't take much to knock a eucalyptus tree over.

 

[AdamK47]

When I'm violating with "Exhibition of Speed", I make sure no cell phone usage is involved. At least by me.

 

[RLGL]

Who cares!