As some of you may know, I was involved in an automobile accident 10/3 while Molly and I were vacationing with 80 other crossfires in an area of North Carolina known as 'The Dragon'. It is the 3rd time we have attended this crossfire event, and as always, we were safely pushing the cars to their limits the entire weekend. Saturday night, we had a little too much fun, and stayed up a little too late. When Sunday morning rolled around, Molly decided (for the first time ever) not to ride me with for this extended sightseeing tour and to stay in the hotel. Myself, Franc Rauscher, and Even (itsky) went out and were enjoying some spirited driving through the mountains and a motorcyclist went by and tapped the top of his helmet, this told us there was a cop nearby and to slow down. The speed limit was 40 and we were doing 40-42. I started through a long sweeping turn and the next thing I knew, it was as if someone jerked my wheel to the right and my tires on the passenger side of the car were in the wet grass. Once this happened, I tried everything I knew to bring the car back onto the road, but that wet grass was like a slip and slide for a 3,000 pound car. I kept it on the road and avoided a half dozen or so of these little wooden pillars, but was not able to recover. I believe this happened due to a tire blow out or a loss of air pressure on the passenger side. All I could see is trees in front of me and I had no idea what is on the other side of them. I mowed down the trees and hit a large rock, which flipped the car onto its roof. It landed about 15-20 feet down in a creek.

Once I was able to free myself from the seatbelt (thank god I was wearing one because my airbag did not deploy) I realized the car was filling with water and I had no way to see how deep it was. I knew I had to get out, but with the crushed roof, it was nearly impossible. I was able to put my feet on the steering wheel and literally push myself through to the rear hatch area. Once there, I was able to break out some additional glass and get out of the car.

It was an extremely scary experience, I am just glad I was alone and the car did what it was supposed to do, protect me. This, coupled with the great people we have gotten to know through the crossfire forum, are the primary reasons we bought another one.

If you feel the need to say something negative or disrespectful, please take it elsewhere. I posted this so friends would know what happened and so everyone would know what an amazingly safe car these little things are.

Here are the photos in order......













One last shot, to remember her by....



Now you all know what happened. Also, please stop asking for parts, the car is totalled and no longer belongs to me

 

Damn! Sorry to see/hear about this. I never knew how uncluttered the bottom of the XF is.

 

wow, that is horrifying. I am very glad to hear you got out okay. What a sacary experience. I am very surprised that the airbag did not deploy to be honest.

Just good to know you are okay!

 

Damn, man. You started talking about this when I had that thread about my wreck. I'd forgotten about it, but at the time wanted to see pics. Its a shame when any XF is lost, but especially one that looked as good as yours. Glad you are okay and glad you got another one.

 

Damn bro, thank god you are okay. Good to hear you have another one...

 

Thanks for sharing John. Glad Molly was not with you.I will always remember that black car. Now, can't wait to see what you do with the next one.

 

glad you are ok. and atleast you dont have to try and clean those rims....

 

First of all , i'm glad you managed to get yourself out of the car and that you're OK. It must have been scary. I was wondering if you got to check the car after the accident for wheel bearing, suspension or rim failure? I know you said possibly a blow out and I can't tell from the pics if the tires are down or not on the passenger side.
I was thinking of getting a similar rim/tire combo but after seeing your pics I may reconsider. I remember a story from another beautiful Black XF owner with 21-22s that also suddenly went off road.
Better luck with the new one.
JM

 

 

If you got a rear wheel on the grass, for whatever reason, that's all the explanation needed. Wet grass is deadly. I did the same thing but on a race track. The stability control may have saved my car. I could feel it braking different wheels to get me going in the right direction. I'm with everyone else on being pleased that your whole. We all have a similar experience sooner or later.

Les

 

THANK YOU EVERYONE for the kind words and respectful tone.

You all are the reason we have another one, I couldn't leave this group behind, not even for a 400+HP Dinan 135i I was drooling over

LMAO, this is true

That is exactly why I will not be going any larger than 19/20. I spoke with Irwin shortly after his wreck and until you said something, I did not even tie the two together.

 

damn.. glad to see you're ok. That doesn't look fun

 

That's JUST the way I had it pictured after hearing your narrative at lunch.

NICE that you are here to share the story... basically unharmed by the ordeal.

Count your blessings John.


We all get just 'so many' lives, risks, incidents, whatever... you just had one

 

John I first and foremost we are glad you were able to get out and ultimately was safe. Secondarily I knew the Crossfire was a stout car, but seeing the damage that it sustained after a flip at speed shows how well these cars were built and engineered. I know we are eagerly awaiting the Spring Dragon.

Jason

 

Wow, I had no idea it was that bad. Congrats on getting out of that one man. That got me to thinking about what the outcome might have been if it was a roadster instead of a coupe. Looking forward to seeing you and Molly in the spring.

 

Glad that you made it out OK, cars can replaced. It may have been a good thing that the airbag did not deploy.

 

John I still can't figure out how you got out. I don't think there would be anyway I could squeeze between the two seat backs past the partition to even get to the hatch.
Did the head rests on your seats make it easier for you?
Thank God Molly stayed at the hotel.
Glad you came thru as well as you did, and you've decided to stick with another Crossfire.
Take care Buddy

 

Yeow!
First I've heard of this. As mentioned glad you made it out safely.
So what did you buy to replace her? Hope you got a nice color this time!

 

Well, as anyone can see the car left virtually no wheel tracks and was invisible to anyone passing by on the road.
John's car simply slid on it's belly pan somehow missing everyone of those guard posts by mere inches, if that. I believe control would have been regained if John's wheels could have made contact with the ground a some point. but he was just a missle turned projectile by the time he reached the main belly of the curve.

Freakish.
Sobering because he is a proficient driver.

Glad he was in a Benz

Happy he was OK

Elated he stayed with the Crossie family

Looking forward to the presentation of his new art.


franc

 

WOW! Glad you made it out OK. After I learned the news, I was wondering if you would be reusing the rims. Obviously not!

So I trust you made out well with your insurance company?