July 3, 2003
Ann's 1996 Z28 looking more beautiful than ever?
Many of you were here on July 4th, 1996 when I surprised Ann with her new Red Camaro for her birthday.   This morning, around 10:30 a.m. in Charlottesville, Ann was doing about 40 mph in the left lane of 5th st.   A 74 year old lady driving a 1998 S-10 pickup made a mistake and pulled right out into the road in front of her.   The Camaro slammed solidly into the driver's door of the Pickup.   The pickup door had to be cut away to rescue the lady driver.  The investigating officer put things in proper perspective:  If Ann had not been driving a car with such a very long and low nose that hit the truck low and crunched up, the other driver would probably have been killed.   The lady is doing okay (Ann just caller her and talked with her ) and except for a bruise on the right arm and jumpy nerves, Ann is fine.  As you can see, the Camaro has seen better days!
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We have no idea if the car will be totalled/repaired/whatever.  We just know both drivers are safe and very fortunate and we're delighted with that.
Major impact on right front, thoroughly scrunched up. That's what is so beautiful, the way the nose of this car took all the impact and absorbed so much energy it probably protected both drivers.
At least the headlights survived on this side, but the door rubs some when it opens Both Airbags deployed in the Camaro, and the smell of the gases seemed like the car might be burning.
Ann got out safely on her own and went to the other vehicle.
No fluids leaking, maybe that hot engine still runs okay, the car sure doesn't!
The hood buckled up and over the windshield, the windshield did NOT shatter and rain on Ann
A wrecker brought Ann and the Camaro home to Tiffany Drive. He picked the license plate and a few parts off the roadway and brought them. Ann almost ended up with an extra rearview mirror from the other vehicle.
Click Here to see Happier Pictures of he Colman Family in Action!
Click Here to see Happier Pictures of he Colman Family in Action!