[veenut28]

This probably doesn't belong in this forum but it's pretty fresh and raw so I'm going to post it here anyway. As a warning, this story gets graphic.

I've got a 2020 M2C and have put almost 35k miles on it. I live in a fairly rural area with twisty backroads and the car's been a blast to own these past 3 years. The main route into town is a 45MPH two-lane road. Normally people cruise around 50MPH or so. It's easy to stretch your legs on a road like this in the M2. Nothing crazy - hit 60 or so on the straights and carry that speed through the turns, feel the car rotate when you get back on the throttle as you exit the corner. About as much fun as you could have on a daily commute.

I had to stop in briefly at work this morning and headed out a little before 8AM. I turned out of my neighborhood onto the main road. Not much traffic on an early Saturday morning but there was a couple cars ahead so I settled in and was cruising at 50MPH. As I passed the local elementary school, I see a Bimmer headed in my direction and as he got to about 100 yards, I can recall having the following thoughts:

"Nice E36"
"Damn he's flying around that corner"
"Shit, is he doing a power slide or did he just lose his rear wheels?"

There's a small bridge over a creek that separates the two of us. He loses control about 30 yards from me and crashes into the barrier on the right side of the road and it just absolutely obliterates the car. There's no immediate place to turn off so I have to go a couple hundred yards further before I can turn around at the gas station. Back at the scene, a couple cars have stopped on both sides and at least two people are on their phones with 911. The Bimmer is in the creek underneath the bridge, almost unrecognizable. It's a steep embankment down the side of the road to where the car has fallen. One guy is standing at the top yelling at the car but there's no response.

I carefully make my way down to the car. The passenger door has come dislodged but the entry has collapsed around it. I can see and reach into into the car. There's just one passenger, a middle-aged guy who's crumpled and unconscious in the backseat with vomit all over him. He's taking some short gasping breaths. I yell at him but he doesn't respond. I check and can feel a faint carotid pulse.

By this time, the paramedics and firemen have arrived so I move aside. The police take my information and send me along. As I'm leaving I can see them cutting through the passenger side of the car to get him out. A few hours later when I pass them going the opposite direction, they're still clearing debris off the side of the road. I get home and search the local news. He died on scene.

I'm in the medical field and I've seen plenty of gruesome injuries but watching this unfold in real time a few yards away was surreal. It shook me. I drove like a grandma for the rest of the day. Maybe tomorrow I'll be back to normal...who knows. Enjoy your cars, all, but please be safe.

[BigKutta]

Damn dude, thats a terrible thing to witness. So sorry

[IcewaterPete]

Sorry you had to start your day that way. A good reminder not to over drive our cars n the street.

[pawelczyk7]

[QUOTE=IcewaterPete;28632721]Sorry you had to start your day that way. A good reminder not to over drive our cars n the street.[/QUOte

Geez that is an awful story and sorry you had to go through that.

[Lokguru]

Ya, enjoy responsibly. Don't show off and avoid racing others on street. Plus watch out for the tail during wet conditions.

[///MPhatic]

This is a metaphor for life.

Know when to push it.

Know when to chill.

Sometimes life has a way of teaching you just in time.

Sometimes too late.

Thanks for sharing.

[m2compred5]

Damn
Thanks for sharing that, it’s sobering.
I just forwarded this to my sons, both car crazy teenagers.

[Yak]

OP-Very sad story. Appreciate you sharing though. Talk about about timing. The outcome could have been very different for you if you were a little further up the road.

[kitskar]

Scary .... Be Careful out there ... Puts a sobering perspective on fun and Games

[Foggins]

Wow, unreal experience. Good reminder for all of us.

[to_riffic]

Originally Posted by IcewaterPete

Sorry you had to start your day that way. A good reminder not to over drive our cars n the street.

idk, if OP witnessed vomit, it's possible he seized during the drive and not intending to over drive his E36...

[Tag]

That's tragic and I know exactly how you feel. I too witnessed a similar incident years ago. I was on a 35mph street when I looked in my rearview and saw an SUV coming in hot, must have been going at least 80mph. He just missed rear ending me but got so close that the wind from his flyby shook my car. Moments later he lost control and crashed head on into a viaduct pillar. Every window exploded, parts flying everywhere. I jumped out of my car as well as a couple of other people on the scene to go check if he was ok. I'll spare the gruesome details, but the driver was gone. I couldn't help but think, what if he hit me or someone else? Taught me a valuable lesson about speeding on public roads and what not only can happen to you, but other innocent people as well.

[Brandt51]

This is def a gruesome reminder for one to take a deep breath, try to appreciate the life they have and know when to practice risk management. Lest chance becoming a lesson for others.

Totally sucks. Sorry, that can't be easy.

[Oliv]

Not directly related but I had this happening to me 48hrs ago
Hit a deer with my good old 335i, airbags went off, then for some reason battery got on fire and it propagated to fuel tank







Now the M2C is my real daily

If I had been trapped in it/unconscious I wouldn't be there to tell the story
Stay safe people

[lnsaneM]

Originally Posted by Oliv

Not directly related but I had this happening to me 48hrs ago
Hit a deer with my good old 335i, airbags went off, then for some reason battery got on fire and it propagated to fuel tank







Now the M2C is my real daily

If I had been trapped in it/unconscious I wouldn't be there to tell the story
Stay safe people

Glad to hear you're okay, stay safe out there everyone

[IcewaterPete]

Whoa! So glad you are okay!!

[mcmoroquin]

d.e.p

[MASHCT]

Is this the story?

https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022...oanoke-county/

https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/local-ne...urday-morning/

[veenut28]

Originally Posted by MASHCT

Is this the story?

https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022...oanoke-county/

https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/local-ne...urday-morning/

Yup that's it

[Feint]

Yeah, those bridges don't care how cool your car is. I remember 4 wheel drifting in an 88 Fiero GT when I was a kid and just missing a bridge upright at like 2 am on the highway. Super lucky the onramp opened up just enough to accomodate my slide. I was stupid lucky back then and honestly those close calls got it out of my system. I'm a safe driver now especially with my gf in the car. She says I drive like a grandma in my wrx. And that's fine with me.

[ShortSides]

Thanks to the author of this eulogy. While disheartening, your captivating recollection on how the events unfolded made me feel like I was right there beside you. I can only imagine what a memory like that might do to the mind when you wander it's way...

Trippy AF