2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission the death of my truck

[TBurow]

monday night i was involved in a head on collision while driving my dodge, it was snowing and the roads were bad i was in 4x4 doing about 40 there was an escort in the oncoming lane going about 60 when she lost control she drifted towards the sholder and jerked the wheel to try and get off the sholder causing her car to steer right for me. i am pretty sore with a few non life threatening injuries, she however didn't make it.



my truck sustained major damage. the front bumper folded down on the drivers side and her car went under it, my front wheel got shoved back and under my seat pushing me up into thr roof. the front axle snapped in half,the trans and t case is broken in 3 pieces, the frame is bent and pushed up between the cab and bed, and the front diff pinion is pointed up and through my oil pan. as soon as i figure out how to add pics i will. i feel sorry for the lady's familly but it could have been much worse, right behind me was a young couple in a dodge neon if i wasnt there they both would have been killed by the escort.

 

[rjrkihap]

TBurow,



Thank God you are OK. I am sorry that you had to be involved in a fatal accident. Even though it was not your fault, you may start to feel symptoms of grief, guilt, sadness and possibly depression. This is normal as long as it does not begin to affect your daily life. Talk with friends, family, coworkers, all of us here on the TDR, and if that's not enough, seek a professional.



As for you truck, you sure put a lot of work into her. Hopefully the insurance will pay off fairly and you can begin a new project.



Get well and take good care of yourself. Your in my prayers.



Ron

 

[MCummings]

Wow.



Glad you are ok.



Merrick

 

[litespeed]

Wow



It is good that you made it out of that with little injury. That is a bad one.



Good pictures considering the conditions!

 

[tony597fitter]

I'm glad you are OK.



If there is anything you need, PM me. I live in Plainfield, not far from you at all.



Tony

 

[2Rowdy]

Will be praying for you and the ladies family.

 

[BGlidewell]

Sorry to hear this. Do you think the airbag helped?

 

[dclassens]

I am glad you are okay, and I am sorry for the other drivers family. I was in a VERY similar accident in 03, although no body was hurt. I swerved at the last second and was hit in the rear end. I know what you saw as she was coming right at you. I know that feeling of no options but to take the hit. Just know that there are a lot of trucks out there and they are much easier to replace than your life. Again, glad you are okay!!



Dave

 

[jgillott]

Will be praying for you and the ladies family.

I agree... thoughts and prayers sent.

 

[GHarman]

Thank the LORD, you are alive. The truck can be replaced, you can't. GregH

 

[FLynes]

TBurow,



You have my deepest sympathy. I understand first-hand what being involved in a fatal vehicle accident feels like. On December 17th, 1999 I was on patrol in the North East portion of the US sector of Kosovo. I was manning the . 50 cal in the turret of the HMMWV. My buddy, SSG Joe "Super" Suponcic was a passenger in the HMMWV in front of mine. Joe's HMMWV hit an Anti-tank mine, a mine meant for the Russians we were patrolling with. It flipped his HMMWV like a tiddlywink and blew me out of the turret. I managed to get to my feet and run to Joe's HMMWV, which was on fire by this time. The driver had been thrown, as had the passenger in the rear... both were hurt but okay; Joe wasn't as lucky... the mine had gone off under him, the only part of an up-armored HMMWV that isn't up-armored. I pulled Joe out and held him as he died in my arms (some news reports had him dying 5 hours later, but as usual, they weren't there and don't know crap from shinola). That is a memory I carry with me daily and still wake up sometimes at night 8 years later.



Therapy does help. Take care, and thank God you are okay. It wasn't your time.

 

[Hammer]

TBurow...

Fatal accidents are a tragedy to those who are left behind. All you can do is hope that someone learns from the errors of this mishap. Your truck looks bad and could be a complete loss but as long as your here for us to chat with you that the most important thing. Trucks are built everyday and yours can be replaced,your ok and thats the most important thing... ... Andy

 

[DodgeWarlock]

Thoughts and prayers for you, your family, her and her family.



Trucks can be replaced, sometimes even repaired.



My wife and I have both been in serious accidents in the last 14 months. A car with unrestrained kids in it pulled out in front of my wife's suburban. They were hurt badly(one is paralyzed). She saw the children as she hit and it was tough on my wife emotionally. When a semi blindly backed out in front of me, I was unable to avoid him. I had both my boys in the truck with me. My family was extremely lucky in both accidents as we were not seriously injured.



It is natural that it will take a while to find peace with it.



As drivers we can only control our own actions. We can do nothing wrong and still be in an accident. It is unfortunate... . but true.

 

[Tractorat]

Wow, thank God you survived that.



From your story, it sounds like your being at the right place at the right time saved the lives of the young couple behind you. They wouldn't have had a chance in a little neon (or most any other car or truck for that matter)



TRat

 

[kentdiesel]

That's a hard hit, I'm glad your OK.

 

[benhall]

I second what everyone else said in that it's good to hear you are ok. Ugly accidents like that happen and sometimes you think you had bad luck to be in one, but something like this can happen to anyone, anywhere, or anytime.

Ben

 

[CSnyder]

TBurow, I understand your feelings for the girls family but rest assured that if they are good people they will understand this is not your fault. I was in the families shoes 2 years ago this month when my wife lost control and hit a truck head on and died. I have never blamed the truck driver and wished him a speedy recovery from some very serious injuries. It will get easier with time. My prayers are with you and the other families.



Chris

 

[TBurow]

thank you all for your kind words and prayers, it gets better with each day, hopefully i will get my truck back friday and see if anything is usable, i am hoping the engine wasnt damaged. i will post some better pictures when i get to a faster computer.

 

[scotmartin]

Woman killed in snow-related car crash near Braidwood -- chicagotribune.com

Is this the correct article?

My sympathies. I hope you are doing well.

 

[hwebster]

Accident...

My thoughts are with the family that lost their daughter. I've been involved in a number of accidents, none fatal and no alcohol and 1 shooting. No matter how cool, and calm you are at the time, eventually it all comes home.



Don't let is get you down and don't be afraid to get help. The mind is a powerful organ that can do strange things. Talking it out will help...



Hang in there. In the end it was an unavoidable accident!



H