Posted on 04/23/2018 10:05:14 AM PDT by simpson96
The promised autonomous driving revolution can't come soon enough for some people—like the subject of today's entry in the Florida Man chronicles, a distracted driver who lost control of his 2016 Chevrolet Camaro convertible while adjusting the radio, launched off the side of a highway bridge, and plunged fifty feet to the street below.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the unofficial Dukes of Hazzard impression began when 61-year-old Thomas Highhouse took his eyes off the road to mess with the stereo in his 'Maro while driving down Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg. Highhouse "failed to maintain control of the vehicle," as the Florida Highway Patrol clinically put it, hit an embankment in the median, and soared into the air like a majestic bird.
But since what goes up must come down, the Camaro fell approximately fifty feet to the street below, much to the surprise of passing drivers. Fortunately, it landed on a grass-covered shoulder and came to a stop without striking any other cars, and Highhouse somehow walked away without a scratch.
Highhouse spoke to WFLA News at the scene of the accident, though he was reportedly too embarrassed to talk on camera. He told the reporter that he glanced down at the radio for a few seconds, and when he looked back up he realized he was speeding towards the center divider. Unable to recover in time, he launched into the air for a brief but terrifying flight during which he concluded he was definitely going to die.
(Excerpt) Read more at thedrive.com ...
Happened on 4/20? Makes sense:-)
Old guys driving hot cars, it’s just so WRONG!
The answer is right in the story.
The guy’s name is Highhouse.
H I G H House, get it?
You can’t make this $hit up. Well, you could, but no one would believe it.
Bitchin’ Camaro becomes Broken Camaro ...
The new cars come equipped with video touch screen for the radio. He most likely got distracted by the touch screen prompts. I have 21 presets I can reach using the controls on the steering wheel. But if I want something else on Sirius XM then I have to follow the prompts on the screen.
-PJ
Many newer cars have various radio/media controls right on the steering wheel.
Now it can be told: Ted K drove off that bridge and killed Mary Jo because he was switching stations on the Olds’ radio.
“Bitchen Camaro”—Dead Milkmen
“So you better watch out when I drive through your yard
‘Cause I got a bitchen Camaro and an Exxon
credit card
Bitchen Camaro, bitchen Camaro hey boy where you headed?
Bitchen Camaro, bitchen Camaro, I’m drunk on unleaded”
Youtube has a bunch of videos of car crashes via dashcams, “How Not to Drive Your Car”...from all over the world.
Speeding, bad road conditions, distracted drivers, head on, pedestrians and bicyclists sent flying through the air.
These folks are everywhere.
I agree! His “Maro” days peaked 40 years ago.
Both our cars have joy sticks on the center console. Don’t even have to look to find them. Just reach down. I love them. So easy to change stations now. All other controls are on the steering wheel. And my car can be voice controlled which makes everything even easier if you want to use it.
Ban car radio violence.
That's one lucky man there. Hopefully he has insurance that honors accident forgiveness and doesn't raise his rates. 8>)
No. The driver is at fault and has no one to blame but himself. If driverless, the car could have suddenly decided to crash on its own with the driver not being in control and trapped in a Christine.
Or someone hack the car and make it go over the bridge.
Don’t tell me the cars won’t be able to be hacked.
(It was an old joke, to be sure)
This is my Thelma and Louise impersanation.
I’ve never heard the term. But my
son calls them “Gaymaros”, as he
is a big fan of Mustangs.
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