I don't think the doors are meant to go this way...

I had quite the eventful Saturday this past weekend. Some buddies and myself were going to get the rafts out on some fun whitewater when our fun was cut short before it ever began. I could have a full page on just the story itself, but in the interest of me not wanting to write a book, here's the short version:
The boat ramp/fishing access that we were at is public land and is adjacent to a private ranch that is home to a certifiably crazy, angry rancher. We later found out that this guy and his father before him have been giving people a hard time in this area for years, harassing people, blocking the boat ramp, etc.
The rancher got in his 1 ton Dodge that was hooked up to a horse trailer and came flying across the bridge while we were getting things ready, he swerved into the grass area to run over a case of beer that we had just set down and continued on up the road. We weren't happy but we figured we'd hurry up and get our stuff together and get on the river to get out of there. Less than 10 minutes later we hear him coming back down the road. We all stopped what we were doing and watched him as he got close to my 4Runner, accelerated and jerked the wheel into my car just enough to catch my door. My door was only open a few inches, so he actually jammed the door into the vehicle before it bent the wrong way and mangled everything. If my door would have actually been wide open, he may have just ripped the door completely off. Fast forward a couple of hours and there are reports filed with the sheriff, highway patrol, and fish wildlife and parks. There will be criminal charges for a laundry list of things.
I'll be without the 4Runner for at least a month while everything gets figured out, repaired, etc.
I received the estimate back yesterday and it's looking like it'll be just over $7,500 worth of damage.

So does the jackass or his insurance company get to pay for it? Would have been great if you could have gotten all that on video! hwell:

LAB4US said:

So does the jackass or his insurance company get to pay for it? Would have been great if you could have gotten all that on video! hwell:

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One way or another he'll be paying, whether it's insurance, court ordered, etc. now I just get to wait to find out what the decision will be.

Were you in the car? Guy sounds like a wacko.

When you tell his insurance company what he did, plus there being charges, I doubt they will cover him.

I personally feel that my life would have been in danger since he is was coming at me with a 3 ton weapon that could have ended my life no questions about it. Rounds down range at that point!

Blue

And that's why they made 458 SOCOM.

I wasn't in the car. My friends and I were probably 50' away unloading their raft into the river. My wife was on he other side of the 4Runner though, which is why criminal endangerment, attempted assault, etc are all on the table. Make no mistake, we're going after this guy, but we're fortunate that no one actually got hurt or retaliated, because I'm sure he's the kind of guy that had a gun sitting on his lap just waiting for us to come over the bridge towards him.

That sucks but at least everyone is ok. I hope he loses everything in the court battle.

Holy cow man, glad that no one was hurt in this whole thing though.

Just curious though, what was the reaction of the police when they got there and heard the explanation of what happened? Did the guy try to say any of you started it or threatened him in any way?

That guy needs to be locked up forever. That's just ridiculous, I couldn't believe what I was reading... You did the right thing by not retaliating, I don't know if I would have had that self control though.

What a whack job. Sorry to hear this.

surprising the door is still attached and the lights on the door still working.

I can assure I would have been in hand cuffs with assault charges of my own if my wife was close to this 4Runner and maybe even more charges pending. He would have had one pissed off Marine on his hands for sure even if he had a gun.

Blue

Well he'll pay the price this time. I can't believe some people have the gall to act like that. I live in Nevada and a lot of the wheeling I do is on public roads, but there are certainly rural folks who think "public" means them and only them and have no problem putting up no trespassing signs etc. even though you're 1/2 from their property. I'm glad no one was hurt except for your truck. Even if this douche bag doesn't change his ways, at least he's in for a lot of $ and headaches to make him think twice next time. I applaud the way you handle the situation, since I probably would have lost it.

What part of Mont ?

Holy Shite Batman ! Where n Big Sky are you ? I'll stay over by Kalispel dude you guys are lucky he didn't come down shooting ! WTF crazy dude public access ? :rain:ainkiller:

crazy! glad no one was hurt.

oljedi11950 said:

Holy Shite Batman ! Where n Big Sky are you ? I'll stay over by Kalispel dude you guys are lucky he didn't come down shooting ! WTF crazy dude public access ? :rain:ainkiller:

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We live in Billings but this happened near McLeod, we were going to raft the Boulder.

Man that just ain't right , guys mental !!

WTF? That's insane! Did the guy stop after he hit your runner, or did he keep going?

As someone else asked, what did the cops say? Did the cops say he's done anything like that before, or even what his side of the story was? That HAD to do damage to his vehicle. Sounds like the guy is nuckin futz for sure!

Sorry that happened to you man. Glad you & your family are ultimately ok. That's what's important.


Other than the screwed up door, you've got a nice looking runner!