Wrecked a car − 1 January, 1987

Not just one - but two cars! I was on my way home from a high school senior New Year's party. There was drinking at the event, but I wasn't (my uncle, now in recovery, was a mean alcoholic that scared me straight until I was 18). However, new to driving as I was and possessing a strong penchant for not paying attention, I ran a red light.....

....and sideswiped my 1977 dung-brown colored Dodge Monaco into an eight-day old jet-black Jaguar XJ6!

My car was totaled and Jaguar had more than $5,000 damage (20 years ago, that was a ton of money!). Thankfully, everyone involved walked away unhurt.

To this day that event still plays in my mind. My spirit guides were with me that day. Had I been driving just slightly faster or the JAG owner a little bit slower, I would have surely hit the driver's side door. As it happened, I hit the left side passenger door, causing the JAG to spin about 100 degrees in the middle of the intersection.

Funny thing too - my mother bought me the car to use to and from school and my first part-time job in a local pizza delivery place. She bought it off some acquaintance for about $400. I was mortified! Its bench seats and AM radio combined with its crap color (literally) left much to be desired. In response, my mother said "Shut up! You're (a) getting a car and (b) going to be able to walk away from an accident if Heaven forbid you get in one with this tank of a vehicle!"

Thank GOD I didn't kill him.

Tags: Jaguar, Dodge Monaco, Driving, Car Wreck, Dodge, High School

Posted on July 28, 2006. and has been viewed 353 times.

Comments:

kga245 (July 28, 2006. 04:44pm)

For me it was a Volvo. I had three speeding tickets by my 17th birthday. Still haven't been in a car accident per se. Not while I've been driving. Knock on wood. Not unless <a href="http://www.dandelife.com/story/8177">this story</a> counts.

AmateurX (August 2, 2006. 07:23pm)

Great story! Thanks for including the picture. It helps paint the picture of that boat of a car! :)

BrianZimm (August 25, 2006. 04:59pm)

I love reading your stories, I never had a boat like that, but I did flip a Hyundai Scoup over 8 times doing 75 on a highway and <a href="http://www.dandelife.com/story/9457">lived to write about it</a>.