I was in a very serious accident tonight in MINI Cooper S -- Car totally demolished.

MarcusSanDiego · #1 (**permalink**) 11-27-2002, 09:55 PM

I am sure that many of you have heard about the accident, but I will elaborate now.

The accident occurred at around 8:50 pm on the 52 West freeway in San Diego. We were just passing, I believe, the 163 freeway.

Without getting into all of the details, let me just say that my wife was driving and we lost control of the car, mainly because she overcorrected the steering. We were travelling the speed limit, which is about 65mph.

We hit a car that was on our right side and hooked his rear quarter panel, which twisted our car slightly. At that point, we flipped the car on its side (driver's side) and skidded about 50 or 60 yards. After that, and I have no idea how this happened, we got turned upside down on the roof. We have a panoramic sunroof (backseat and front seat) and those exploded because of the friction with the freeway.

Sparks were shooting into the vehicle as we travelled upside down and there was a very bright orange glow, which really scared me as I thought the car might start on fire. (The car never started on fire, by the way.) We were completely harnessed in by our seatbelts so there was plenty of room between the roof and our seats. Probably a good foot and a half. We travelled upside down for a good five seconds (not sure on distance).

I was alert the entire time and was thinking that I wanted to stop. I had no injuries that I could feel. My wife had no injuries that we could see.

When the car came to a complete stop, we both looked over at each other and confirmed that neither of us were seriously hurt. At that point we both released our seatbelts and dropped with a thud on the ground. I bumped my head and so did my wife, which gave her a concussion. But she was still conscious.

Next, I yelled at the wife to bolt out of the car. That wasn't a problem since my wife's door was completely gone. It was down the road somewhere.

We both, miraculously, only sustained minor (and I mean minor) cuts and bruises. Aside from my wife's concussion, we made it out with flying colors. My wife was kept in the hospital tonight just for observation. She is completely alert and doing well. It's just a precaution.

The MINI, by the way, was totalled. No two ways about it. But it handled like a champ and saved its passengers. That's all that counts. The fact that we both walked away says a lot about the safety of this car. Airbags deployed as they should. The car's gas line was cut off, the battery was disabled, the car's hazards flashed as they should, and the doors remained locked during the entire incident (except my wife's, of course, which was sheered off).

Four hours after the accident and I am home. My wife would be home, too, except for the fact that they want to watch her overnight. A CAT scan revealed no injuries.

So, we are safe, the car is totalled, and we have a lot to be thankful for on Thanksgiving.

We will be getting another MINI Cooper S.

Take care.

Chris · #2 (**permalink**) 11-27-2002, 10:10 PM

Wow, that sounds quite frightening! I'm sure it was quite surreal as it happened. I am quite glad that you two made it out okay. Great testament to the quality of the mini, but it is still upsetting that it rolled. Do you think it was partially due to the car's relatively short wheelbase?

Chris

KraZy007 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-27-2002, 10:16 PM

Whew, glad you are okay Mark. Be careful out there everybody, especially this thanksgiving weekend.

PasadenaE24 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-27-2002, 10:16 PM

Wow, im very glad to hear you're ok marcus, tell your wife i hope she's feeling better asap! Very good to know the MINI held up, and as many people have said, cars are replaceable, people arent.
Charlie

MarcusSanDiego · #5 (**permalink**) 11-27-2002, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chris328i
Wow, that sounds quite frightening! I'm sure it was quite surreal as it happened. I am quite glad that you two made it out okay. Great testament to the quality of the mini, but it is still upsetting that it rolled. Do you think it was partially due to the car's relatively short wheelbase?

Chris

Chris, the Cooper is so dang responsive that I think my wife gave it too much steering wheel. Couple that with the fact that we hooked up with the other vehicle and it made for ripe conditions for a roll.

But I will say this: Our MINI gaves its life tonight so that we could have ours. I can't say enough good things about how well this car held up -- even though the front hood and part of the A pillar were damaged. B&C pillars held up very well.

I just got new wheels though.. and they were ripped to shreds.

Oh, well, it's time to put an order in for another MINI Cooper S. I won't hesitate to get another one.

Chris · #6 (**permalink**) 11-27-2002, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MarcusSanDiego

Chris, the Cooper is so dang responsive that I think my wife gave it too much steering wheel.

Understood. That's the main thign I remember frm my test drive, it is just as reponsive as a go-kart. Anyway, it absolutely served its purpose. A shame, but could've been much worse.

Chris

Katt · #7 (**permalink**) 11-27-2002, 10:23 PM

Marcus,

I am happy that you are both ok,I thank God that he protected you both.

See you soon.

Katt

Iwannadinanm3 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-27-2002, 10:27 PM

damn glad to hear your ok again man... Hope u get a new mini cooper s replacement for it soon, you gonna be able to get us pics of the damage to ur mini right now?

M-Crazy · #9 (**permalink**) 11-27-2002, 11:47 PM

Glad you and your wife are ok. Amazing how the car held up. Good luck with everything hope all goes well.

dj_audigy · #10 (**permalink**) 11-27-2002, 11:48 PM

Marcus...good think you two are ok..thatz the most important.. sorry about the car.. dave

mrsha007 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-27-2002, 11:54 PM

im glad you too are okay. accidents can be scary man. be safe. happy motoring

MarcusSanDiego · #12 (**permalink**) 11-28-2002, 03:19 AM

Well, what a lousy night of sleep. I think I got three hours, max.

Anyhow, I plan on calling the tow yard this morning to see if they will let me on the lot to see the car. I still have a couple things in the car that I need. Also, I want to take some pictures of the wreckage, to see just what the hell happened. I'll probably give Humanoid (Ray) a call this morning to see if he wants to go with me.

As soon as I can get the pictures, I will post them up. I should have them up no later than tomorrow afternoon (that's assuming that I can't get on the lot today).

I am still trying to come to terms with the fact that I was in a major accident last night. Very surreal, as Chris pointed out. It was the first time that I have been involved in an accident.

Hope to never have this experience again.

///M3Ryder NY · #13 (**permalink**) 11-28-2002, 03:41 AM

Wow Marcus, so sorry to hear this news...but very thankful to hear your both doing well! It must have been an awful experience, thank god the car protected you guys to the extent that it did

Lots to be thankful for today, it seems...

Good luck with everything!

LagunaSecaBlue · #14 (**permalink**) 11-28-2002, 03:52 AM

i am glad to hear you are OK...

MarcusSanDiego · #15 (**permalink**) 11-28-2002, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ///M3Ryder NY
Lots to be thankful for today, it seems...

Amen.