[tbplus10]

Got a call last night no one ever wants to get, the wife and grandaughter were involved in an accident outside of Albuquerque NM. on their way back to Texas.
A wrong way drunk driver hit them on hwy 40 not far from Tijeras, NM. their car went over a guard rail and rolled 3 times after being hit in the left front, the other driver left the scene.
Both the wife and grandaughter excaped the accident with minor cuts, bumps, and bruises. Somebody was looking out for them.
The other driver was arrested less than 10 miles from the scene of the accident at his parents home. While the police were tracking down his license plate left at the scene his parents were calling the police to report they believed he'd been in a hit and run accident after taking their car without permission.
At this point I think the Cruise is totalled, but thanks to the safety features the wife and grandaughter are safe with only minor injuries.

 

[phoebeisis]

Thank God
and thank GM for all that engineering
Jesus-that is one call you never want to get
Glad they are all right!

I-40 ?? We have taken that route many times.

 

[tbplus10]

Yea Charlie it was I-40, they were on the curvy section east of Alb.
Every air bag in the car went off, I havent seen pics yet but I was told there isnt a straight panel left.

 

[phoebeisis]

Almost 700 miles from home? A long days drive.
They in shape to rent a car to get home?

 

[tbplus10]

They were getting ready to pull over for the night.
They have airline tickets to fly they rest of the way home today.
Theyre both a little to shaken up to continue driving.

 

[phoebeisis]

Right-didn't think of that-after a 3 rollover wreck at hy speeds-a 700 mile highway trip-no way.
-20 years ago-or even more recently before the side curtain airbags- rollover wreck like that would be fatal more often than not-
our tiny Prius has side curtain airbags-maybe4 6 all total
-that Cruise might have 10 airbags??? They literally cocooned them during the rolls-with the belts holding them in place and the fancy engineering having that metal crush just right to protect them-amazing really.
98 suburban-2 airbags
Highways filled with idiots-worse yet drunk drugged idiots on cell phones texting

 

[ChevyFan]

Got a call last night no one ever wants to get, the wife and grandaughter were involved in an accident outside of Albuquerque NM. on their way back to Texas.
A wrong way drunk driver hit them on hwy 40 not far from Tijeras, NM. their car went over a guard rail and rolled 3 times after being hit in the left front, the other driver left the scene.
Both the wife and grandaughter excaped the accident with minor cuts, bumps, and bruises. Somebody was looking out for them.
The other driver was arrested less than 10 miles from the scene of the accident at his parents home. While the police were tracking down his license plate left at the scene his parents were calling the police to report they believed he'd been in a hit and run accident after taking their car without permission.
At this point I think the Cruise is totalled, but thanks to the safety features the wife and grandaughter are safe with only minor injuries.

Wow, that's good news / bad news there. Glad they are ok, but any accident with a rollover will involve stiffness and soreness for some time after the wreck. Let us know if you need anything.

 

[ChromeSilver02]

Wow I can't believe that happened. Sorry to hear about that, but really glad to hear that everyone is okay. But I guess RIP Cruze

Side note, one really bad decision and that kid already screwing up his life, he is lucky he didn't add manslaughter that night

 

[tbplus10]

Thanks guys, yea it couldve been a lot worse and Im grateful it wasnt.
Both of them are real sore today but glad to be home.
I call the other driver a kid but he's 26, certainly old enough to know better.
Talked to the other drivers parents today and their fed up with the stupidity of their son, they filed auto theft charges today, he's been involved in a couple incidents over the last few years but nothing this serious, they were very upset that he almost killed someone else
The parents paid for thr girls fist class tickets home, paid their motel bill, bought them a couple changes of cloths and lugage, paid for their meals and generally took care of them, good people with a screwed up son.
The insurance co. is starting off on the wrong foot already. They tried to settle us out by offering $17k for the car and we take care of our medical cost. I countered by letting a friend of mine thats a lawyer contact them, we'll see how they react to one of Dallas Tx best litigation attourneys calling them. And yes I hate lawyers, but this one is a car enthusiast that buys a lot of vehicles from me and he does sometimes have his uses.

 

[phoebeisis]

Ultimate low ball offer-typical chiseling insurance company offer- yeah-the lawyer will easily get all but full retail on car+ TTL+ medical+ pain and inconvenience-
$17000 for a car folks are paying $26000 plus TTl for-gee what a surprise!!

$17,000 for a car that will cost $25000+ TTL to replace-say $28000...
med costs-can be plenty-

Very good that parents are decent-and affluent folks with insurance.
People with drug alcohol problems(for younger folks rarely "just" booze)-tough to reach
Real burden for parents-they are hoping the legal aspects-jail or enforced rehab-will eventually straighten him out-maybe....
What sort of car was he driving?? Was it totaled

Hmmm- getting ahead of myself-but the dealership kinda owes you one- the repairs that won't happen now-I would be tempted to see what sort of deal I could get-same car-why not since it proved its worth

 

[tbplus10]

Already asked about a deal, even mentiond I should get a multi car purchase discount, I dont think itll happen but Im not ready to buy yet I gotta get the finances straight, I payed cash so at this point its all out of my pocket.
They will give me a discount for the unfinished work.
The other driver was in a 2012 Dodge Charger.
His parents are trying to get him to plead guilty and take a 6 month rehab program followed with 30 months jail time and no possibility for early release or parole.

 

[phoebeisis]

3 years rehab+ jail??
Wow-obviously they have been down the road with him-advocating that as a good deal.
They are using the car theft to up his time in custody.
Hoping time can do what they couldn't.

Yeah since you paid out of pocket-you have to get your lawyer to squeeze the chiseling insurance company
Insurance companies are SOBs-they know most folks are so short of money-the can't afford any delay getting back on the road-so they lowball- hence that $17000 offer
some folks would just take it-since they would need a car-and safe bet the insurer is being slow on any rental

Hmmmm-wonder if that TD and trans survived the wreck?? It is 260 lb ft with 280 lb ft for several seconds? No doubt folks will be transplanting them-lotta diesel fans out there.

 

[tbplus10]

The parents have been staying in touch with me, they told their son either take this deal, and follow it to completion or your on your own for good, he's in his mid 20's and been screwing up for a while. The father is a retired District Att. for Albq. so Im assuming if he had wanted to get his son a good deal it wouldnt have been impossible, he just wants his son to pay his debt and get straight.
The Ins. Adjuster tried the "The sooner you agree to a payout the sooner we can finish this and get your replacement car" I countered with "I have my wifes 4yr old 50,000 mile perfectly good HHR sitting in the garage, Im in no hurry I can wait untill we get s fair payoff". Then he tried " you'll need to settle those medical bills soon before they impact your credit". My response was no I believe thats gonna be your problem, Im retired Military and the bills are all going to TriCare, they should be sending you a letter real soon about payment so you can try that settlement garbage on them if you want but I doubt the Federal Govt. Is gonna play your game.
Ill wait and see what their gonna do, Im really in no hurry sinc times on my side and the finances arent hurting me.

 

[phoebeisis]

Yeah
Doesn't strike me as a sweetheart deal-they must figure he needs lots of rehab time-must have really run them thru the mill

 

[tbplus10]

I think so, the father commented I finally got the little basterd, he either gets help or he's gonna be away longer than he made me miserable. So Im betting the problems been going on for a while he just wasnt getting caught.

 

[phoebeisis]

Wow
You have to be burned out to call your kid that.
Step child maybe??
Yeah they have obviously been thru the mill.