Drunk driver wrecked my truck tonight - pics

[BobsYourUncle]

I consider myself to be quite defensive when it comes to driving, always watching out, looking at other vehicles, preparing for any bonehead thing they may do....

But you know, sometimes some clown does something right into the path of your vehicle and there is not a blinkin thing you can do except brace for impact.

I was just about to enter an intersection on a green light tonight when a driver in a 2001 Mazda sedan had stopped to wait for me. Then he suddenly booted it and turned left, right in front of my truck.

Cars in the other lane, there wasn't a thing I could do except slam on the brakes and brace for impact.

I got out and walked over to see if he was ok. Shaken and dazed, he was alright. He opened his door and the car reeked of booze. And so did he. :M:M:M

My truck clobbered his car so hard that it spun a full 360 and crashed into a car stopped at the light.

I'm not a happy camper right now. I have been very diligent at taking care of my truck, being careful not to scratch it and so on. For a 6 year old truck it was in beautiful shape, even though it is a work truck.

But nobody was injured, that's the main thing. Tomorrow will tell if there is anything there. My neck is a bit sore on the right as is my right wrist.

Sighhhhhhhhh.............

Now look at it - I hope it isn't totaled. I would mutter a four letter word now, but can't post it. Use your imagination... :(:(

[gerrywilson]

Even if limit lowered to .05, people are drinking and drive. There is no effect on people.

[BobsYourUncle]

mudmaker wrote:
600 miles might be just enough to realize that driving without the heavy heavy rack and boxes in the back is not a bad thing. I now it does make a truck feel totally different handling on the highway.

I'd really like to drive it around without the rack and boxes - it would be a whole new driving experience.

However, the rack was put back on before the truck left the bodyshop, so once again, I never got to drive it empty. I have actually never, even once, driven it without the rack on it. The day I drove it out of the showroom, I drove about 30 feet and stopped to lift the rack from the old truck onto it.

[mudmaker]

600 miles might be just enough to realize that driving without the heavy heavy rack and boxes in the back is not a bad thing. I now it does make a truck feel totally different handling on the highway.

[BobsYourUncle]

Thanks everyone who posted in here for all the positive support. It's nice to belong to a fine group like this!

I got the truck back Friday about supper time, loaded some overnight stuff for DW and myself and a few other things.

Saturday morning we left on a short trip - up through the mountains to the Okanogan for a friends 60th birthday surprise party.

Up the Coquihalla - Hwy 5 to Kelowna, spent a day and a half around there, then yesterday down through the South Okanogan to visit DW's best friend in Oliver, then down to within a mile or so of the Washington border, up over the Richter Pass from Osoyoos, and then the Hope-Princeton Hwy (Hwy 3) back to the coast again.

Only logged over 600 miles on the weekend but it was a good test to make sure all was well.

The truck handled like a dream, tracked perfectly and didn't skip a beat. The guys at the alignment shop did the best alignment this truck has ever had. One of those things you can tell by the feel of the steering. The roads were great so I didn't need my 4 wheel drive anywhere. But I did make good use of the foglights - fog was so thick I had to use the wipers to clear the windshield!

Sure glad I took the truck instead of our Taurus! Another horribly uncomfortable thing, just like the rental truck.....

So, it looks like all is well and my baby is back to normal again!

Again, thanks for all the support everyone:):):)

[Gene_Ginny]

I am glad to see you have your truck back, and it is a beauty. The shop did a nice job on it. I am glad the insurance company realized the true value of it and that it would have cost them a LOT more to replace it.

[Jarlaxle]

Dang...I think I'd rather have that one! 🙂

[BobsYourUncle]

Jarlaxle wrote:
What, no pics of the loaner truck? 😄

Well, since you asked......

[westend]

Good deal, Bob! Glad that the truck came out so well for you.

[travelnutz]

Very smart having the Rhino go over the box rails. Along with all the other great attributes of having Rhino in the bed and sides, there will be no scratches/gouges thru the paint that not only look bad but give a place for any rust to start. Also covers any and all the sheetmetal joints like a waterproof bladder.

[dakonthemountai]

Yay! Just Yay!!! What a great feeling you must have getting your "baby" back!! 🙂

Dak

[Jarlaxle]

What, no pics of the loaner truck? 😄

[BobsYourUncle]

jetboater454 wrote:
What...they didn't shine up the tires? Looking good,glad you finally have it back.
.
Sure you will enjoy it.:B

Funny you mention the tires.
When I showed up to get it the bodyshop manager noticed that very thing. Actually he said the wheels. He expressed his dis-satisfaction with his detail guy and said he would get him on it right away but I said I really need to get going and we left them be.

[Cloud_Dancer]

Thanks for these final chronicles. Hard work's not easy, but I'm glad it paid off for you, it looks really great. GMC trucks forever! Love mine.
Congratulations

[rhagfo]

jetboater454 wrote:
What...they didn't shine up the tires? Looking good,glad you finally have it back.
.
Sure you will enjoy it.:B

X2!
Looks good, and based on the progress pictures, you got a good shop to do the work, should be as good as new.