Dick Van Dyke's Ride Is Toast, But He's Unscathed After Car Fire

Los Angeles Times ^ | August 19, 2013 | Christie D'Zurilla

[nickcarraway]

According to Dick Van Dyke, "Somebody's looking after me!" And ain't that the truth, after he escaped without a scratch Monday while his car burned up on the side of the 101 Freeway.

"Van Dyke's melted car ... He's fine thank God!!," his wife, Arlene, tweeted after the incident, including a link to a short Vine video of the actor's fried ride.

Though according to the California Highway Patrol accident log it was two off-duty nurses who yanked the 87-year-old out of the four-door sedan, Van Dyke told a TMZ cameraman it was just an ordinary citizen, and "a fireman and a nurse and a cop just happened to be passing by." Hence the guardian-angel chat.

[urbanpovertylawcenter]

I had an uncle once who fell down an elevator shaft at 82.

He was also a Free Mason.

Liked jelly beans.

Smoked a pipe.

I miss him dearly.

[mn-bush-man]

I know of someone who was driving and chopping wood until almost 100.

Now there is something that would be interesting to see! Did he drive with his right hand and chop with his left? Incredible at any age… much less a hundred!

[mountn man]

I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather...

Not in fear and terror, screaming like the passengers in his car.

[Fresh Wind]

Somebody is looking for me, and then his car blows up?

That's not what he said. He said "Somebody's looking after me."

[Bikkuri]

Holy Carp! I didn’t know he was still alive! o.O

[USARightSide]

I know a woman who is 104 and stopped driving at 103.
She comes regularly to our monthly club luncheon meetings. She used to pick up 1 or 2 others - who need walkers - !
Also took them to church on Sunday.

Don’t know what an 104 year old should look like, but she looks fine. Trim, stylish, has nails done.
Known her for about 7 or 8 years.

She was a school teacher in Montana or one of the Dakotas (should get that straight - ); and altho teachers were to be single, she secretly married!

[melsec]

At 87 he can sound like whatever he feels like. I shared with my kids my love for Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang that I saw when I was a child. I hope also to share the films with grandchildren some day. Dick Van Dyke was/is a true entertainer in the old fashioned mold - singing, dancing, acting, juggling, magic - you name it he can do it.

[mitch5501]

"...my love for Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"

I knew it!

[melsec]

“I knew it!”

Yep

That’s right!

I love Dick! ... Van Dyke!

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Lucas, the Prince of Darkness.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

My wife’s former boss, and good friend, drove until she was 98. She got in seven accidents in about a year, but she was always half in the bag, not a good driver when she was in her seventies and sober. She died of carbon monoxide poisoning, probably because she stopped having her furnace serviced.

[mitch5501]

Now don't get me wrong,I admire and respect the guy but you hafta admit his name sure does have unfortunate connotations these days.I mean,all sorts of things can happen in a 'Van'.

And another thing Dick,that's not how you hot up your car!

Seriously though,good to see he's fine.

[Kenny Bunk]

I am tired of you knocking British automobiles.

My Jaguar ran literally hundreds of miles between major overhauls, regularly achieving as high as 15 mpg highway*

*(Imperial Gallons, 101 Octane, Following Wind).)

[melsec]

Haha- thought that would get ya back - you know me - you can’t suggest it without me saying it - unfortunate failing of mine!

Mel

[melsec]

“I mean,all sorts of things can happen in a ‘Van’.”

LOL

With a Dyke and a D#ck

[QQQQ]

Jaguar.

[Red Badger]

I had a British automobile once, a Cricket. It’s transmission fell out..................

[BlueMondaySkipper]

My Jaguar ran literally hundreds of miles between major overhauls, regularly achieving as high as 15 mpg highway*

You know why the British don't make computers?

They couldn't figure out how to make them leak oil.

[N. Theknow]

His car tripped over an Ottoman in the middle of the road.

I credit the Dick Van Dyke Show with getting me started in a lifetime of puns when I referred to Mary Tyler Moore, Rob's wife Laura, as a Petrie Dish.

[Wu]

Lucas Electric strikes again..