4Runner involved in serious wreck, passengers live

[wesman94]

Sorry to put up a depressing post here, but I think some people might like to see it. I heard about this wreck in Anderson, South Carolina that happened on July 30, 2011 involving two semi trucks, a Toyota Tundra, and a 3rd generation 4Runner. Without explaining all the details of the accident, a semi came across the median of Interstate 85 and collided with another semi, then that semi collinded with the two other vehicles. Both semi truck drivers and the person driving the Tundra were killed.

The 4Runner was rammed just about all the way underneath the trailor of one of the semi trucks, but the two people in it lived. They were airlifted away, but they lived.

I drive a 2008 4Runner. And what I'm getting at here with this is that after seeing that 3rd gen. in a wreck like that, and its passengers still living...I have that much more peace of mind as far as safety is concerned with 4Runners period. I know anything can happen in any vehicle, but I can't help but to use this as an example to show how good these things are. 3rd and 4th generation. This is tragic though. My condolences to the families of those involved.

 

[JackOSU]

Damn. That's a horrible sight for sure. Condolences to the families. I couldn't imagine the thoughts going through their minds right before and during the incident.

I hope the trucking company of the person at fault has their insurance paid up b/c there will be some huge wrongful death lawsuits in this one.

 

[Maritimer]

That's some serious accident right there. Those semis are so mangled. Sad for the loss of life.

 

[rockwall]

What a horrible wreck. I think that the only things that saved the people in the 4Runner were divine intervention and a lot of luck.

 

[ur7x]

My wife was T-boned in our 3rd Gen with enough force to flip the truck and to Total both vehicles... Kids in the back... everyone escaped out the rear lift gate. ZERO injuries...

These are amazingly safe trucks.

 

[4Runners]

It is a very disturbing story:

ADDED STORY:Authorities say three people died in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 85 in Anderson County that closed down part of the highway for hours.

South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Scot Edgeworth says two tractor-trailers, a sport utility vehicle and a pickup truck hauling a boat collided about 11 a.m. Saturday.

Deputy Coroner Josh Shore says three people in three separate vehicles died at the scene.

Shore said Clay Lashawn Johnson, 38, of Charlotte was unrestrained as he drove a tractor trailer which was headed northbound; Eddie W. Wyatt, 69, of Rockmart, Ga. drove the southbound tractor trailer, which cut across the median, and into Johnson's truck; Jeremy Scott Wilson, 33, a N.C. attorney who lived in Blacksburg, S.C., had been driving a black Toyota Tundra, pulling a boat. Shore said Wilson's wife had been in Gaffney, when Wilson left Sunday morning, on his way to fish at Lake Hartwell.

Emergency responders had to use rappelling gear to get to the wreckage.

Shore says a man and woman who were traveling together in a 4-Runner were flown to a Greenville hospital in stable condition. One was released Saturday; the other had minor injuries.

Troopers reopened the southbound lanes about 1 p.m.

From what i've read and seen the 4th gen is rated even safer than the 3rd gen. Here's a link to a 50 page gallery of photos from this wreck: I-85 shuts down, 3 die in truck collision : Anderson Photo Galleries : Anderson Independent Mail: Local Anderson, South Carolina News Delivered Throughout the Day. Rescue workers had to rappel to the cabin of one of the semi-tucks that was knocked clean off it's axles down into a steep ditch in the forest on the side of the highway.

Below is the only photo i could find of the 4runner crushed under the trailer of the semi-truck, the other photos are screen shots from a news video i found. It's hard to believe anyone survived that:

 

[IOP25]

UPDATE: I-85 Collision Survivors Release Statement To Community | WSPA

 

[CookieRoe]

HOLY CRAP!!!!!

My condolences to the families of the deceased. Very sad. A lot of luck for the ones in the 4Runner for sure. The Tundra is a MONSTER of a truck, but in this wreck it doesn't look as bad as the 4Runner.

Anyway, these runners are safe, no one can argue that, this is why I bought my truck a little more than a year ago and not the smaller RAV4 (which I was under pressure to get). My wife and I have a baby due in a couple of months and God willing, we won't have to rely on the crash worthiness of the 4th gen's structure, but it's invaluable to know its there (ready to protect my family).

Stay safe people!

 

[Nuke]

Truly gruesome.

 

[KhanDFW]

Prayers for who lost their life's and the survivors

 

[JohnsD90]

What a horrible wreck. I think that the only things that saved the people in the 4Runner were divine intervention and a lot of luck.

Yeah im gonna put this one to luck as well, theres much safer vehicles on the road then the 4runner. It just wasnt those people's time to go (thankfully).