I hate people. Here's an excerpt from an email I had sent to friends on 12/10/01.

In the wee hours of Sunday morning, I was perhaps 4 miles outside of Santa Fe on I-25 when I noticed a lone pickup in the distance. I was doing about 80 MPH (speed limit = 75) in the right hand (slow) lane and the pickup was in the left (fast) lane doing about 50 MPH or so. About the only thought I gave this truck was, "f-ing slow assholes in the fast lane." As I began passing the truck --at that instant when my fender was in line with his bumper-- he cut to the right... Fast. Next thing I knew, I was flying off the interstate at about 70 MPH. Once I hit the dirt, it took all of my cat-like reflexes to keep from spinning out of control. Once I managed to stop the car, I looked up to see what happened to that idiot and noticed a single taillight speeding off into the night. For about 2 seconds I contemplated chasing the jerk, but self-control got the best of me. I realized that following him could escalate a simple hit and run into a homicide.

So I called 911 from my cell phone, and after spending about 10 minutes explaining to the operator what happened, he finally said, "Oh, you're outside city limits. You need the Sheriff." I then contacted the Sheriff's office and a really cool Deputy came out to take the accident report. He then informed me that there were three units (note: cop cars are called, "units") ahead making a token effort to find the truck. He went on to say that unless the perp made an accident report himself, he was unlikely to ever be caught.



It took well over a month to get the car into the shop. They are the most reputible bodyshop in town, thus they always have a long waiting list. They've been working on the car for almost a month, and according to the owner of the shop, I should be getting it back next week.

 

I have a white one.........it scares me to see what one looks like after it has been in an accident. Good things comes to those who wait!!!!!!!

 

Oh my God!



Good thing you weren't hurt.


That is a crazy ass story.


If it woulda been me I would have definitely chased the guy down......without a doubt.

Ass kicking of a life time.


Good luck on the repairs. A good body shop can make a white car look like an accident never happened.

It will look as good as new.

 

Damnnn. Thats a dirty hit. What you driving now since your car is in the shop?

 

wow.that is sad.how much to repair that?:o

 

I don't think I have the self control you do. I probably I woulda chased that fucker down, run him off the road, dragged him out of his hick-up and kicked his head in.

Bad drivers are one thing (driving slow in the left lane), arrogant/ignorant bad drivers are another(running you off the road).

 

Yeah, I wanted to chase him down something bad, but I realized that I probably would've ended up putting him in the hospital (or worse) or vice versa. Nothing good could've come from me catching him. I guess I should've just tailed him to get his license plate number. Honestly though, I was more scared than pissed at that point. Getting knocked off the interstate at that speed is an experience I hope no one here has to go through.

As far as the damage cost goes, the initial insurance estimate said $3400 and the initial bodyshop estimate came to $2200. Unfortunately, the suspension got tweaked when I went off the road. I talked to the owner of the shop and he said that he had to order a front lower control arm, front knuckle, and three of the linkages on the left rear side. I didn't ask what the cost was looking like since the only thing I have to worry about is my $250 deductable.

As of late, I've been driving a 1991 CRX Si. I bought it last August as a project car. Luckily it's in very good shape and has been running like a champ. I still miss the CL though.