Date:         Tue, 9 May 2000 10:20:29 -0700
Reply-To:     Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject:      Re: Crash.....Bang.......Boom
Comments: To: MLSPAGE@AOL.COM

Best thing since sliced Bread?

Karl Wolz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael L. Smith" <MLSPAGE@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2000 8:23 AM
Subject: Crash.....Bang.......Boom


> I am sad to report that my 91' Vanagon, Bread, has been wounded in action.
>
> Long story short because it hurts to type. I was at a dead stop on a 2
lane
> highway due to traffic. Looking in my rear view mirror I see a tan Ford
van
> closing in at driving speed. I could see the driver's eyes and they were
not
> on the road. The next minutes were foggy to me. I remember being hit from
> behind. The police report states the driver who hit me was doing 40-45.
After
> that I remember the Rescue team taking me away on a body board and neck
> brace,
>
> The collision affected 2 vehicles in front of me. 1 SUV and a Honda sedan.
> The SUV, I later found out was OK. The sedan, whose driver was next to me
in
> the ambulance, lost a few teeth and had some cuts and bruises. The police
> report listed my van as the only "drivable" auto, even though I was the
first
> one hit and took most of the impact.
>
> After being released I went to find my van. My colleague took me to the
tow
> yard. We found my van. I got the key, opened the door to try the engine.
She
> started right up. Now there is a lot of body damage but nothing that can't
be
> repaired. Something I noticed was the Van who hit me "crumpled" in the
front
> while my van "bent." I think the difference is in the materials and
design.
> All things being said.......my Van.......affectionately known as Bread,
saved
> my life.
>
> I am now in a car I call "Speck." It is a rental Ill have for a few weeks
> while all the insurance is being ironed out. I picked their brightest blue
> they had so hopefully people will see me and not hit me. By the way, I
live
> and drive in the Miami Florida area. We have, arguably, the worst drivers
in
> the US. And (pardon me if your from north of the border) the Canadian
> government ships all their bad drivers to us in big American cars to liven
> our roads up.
>
> Moral of the story. PLEASE, wear your seatbelt. If you do, the vanagon
will
> protect you too.
>
> Thanks and safe driving.
> Mike and Bread
>