Death of a 4Runner

[Carlos]

Hello new friends.
I am a new member and I join the group with a sweeter bitter taste.
I have been a 4Runnerer for years and my most resent one is a 2005 Limited 4WD V8. This has been our family vacation/weekend vehicle for the last 5 years.
Last Monday November 1st, our 4Runner was involved in a head on collision with a Lariat 250 Crew Cab pickup truck, driven by a drunk driver who swerved to my line while texting his girlfriend. I was going alone back home from work.
The good news is that my 4Runner proved its integrity in an extreme accident, saving my life, leaving me with only a broken wrist and bruises in my chest, including a fissure in my sternum. The bad news is that it was totally destroyed, sandwiched between the pickup truck and a semi.
We are happy that I suffered minor injuries considering the magnitude of the accident, but we are very sad that our flagship vehicle is gone.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A 2005-2009 LIMITED 4WD V8 4RUNNER WITH LOW MILEAGE, IN PERFECT CONDITION.

Also, I want to give assurance to those of us who enjoy life playing with this particular toy that you are in good hands. And to keep in line with the saying “One picture tells more than a thousand words”, I am including pictures of our baby in better times and after the accident.
I appreciate your feedback.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

glad you are okay

welcome to the forum- please know we are all glad to have you aboard the forum and alive to tell us about it and meet you.

I see the pics now.

 

[Carlos]

Thanks for your feedback. I saw your cool truck in facebook. Mine was all original because I am a terrible mechanic.

 

[Toyotaboater]

Gods Mercy & Toyota Quality

Hello Carlos! I would like to think that I speak for all on this forum when I say I'm glad that you survived that crash! Thanks for the pics as they demonstrate the strength of the vehicle, and thank God for His presence over you. Please tell us if you can; is the other driver being prosecuted or currently in jail? I wish you and your family the best, and I hope you find another like new 4Runner to serve as a replacement.

 

[4Runner8]

welcome to the forum, very glad you are okay with minor injuries. the 4runner sure did prove herself. hope you find a new one soon

 

[Carlos]

At this point, the officer that handled the accident opened a case against the driver of the pickup truck. I am waiting for instructions to appear in court to be a witness in the case. I don’t know if the guy is in jail at this moment. Last time I saw him was before I was carried into the ambulance.
Thanks for your concern.

 

[toy yoda]

Glad to hear you will live to see another 4runner. Any idea how fast each of you were going? By the looks of it, since the windshield didn't even shatter, the integrity of the cabin area is extremely impressive considering it was not only a head on collision but a sandwich situation. Good luck in you recovery and you search.

 

[Maritimer]

Wow, so glad you are mostly alright. Looks like the body-on-frame design was a big factor.

Let's get you a new 4Runner!

 

[fxoffroad]

Really glad your injuries aren't any worse. Good luck healing and locating your next 4Runner. Thanks for sharing the story and your photos.

 

[Carlos]

Traffic was “crawling” due to another accident ahead of us. I was about 50 feet behind another car and the semi was about the same distance from me. The pickup truck had cleared the accident site and it was doing 60 to 70 MPH when he hit my 4Runner. It hit me so hard, that my 4Runner “flew” back to where the semi had stopped, where it got “stuck” under the semi. This is the story of the semi driver.
On my side, I saw the lights coming to me at an incredible speed; and it happened so fast, that between the moment I saw the lights and my brain recognizing that I was in a crash, I did not have time to organize any thought. It was a moment of “notion” of what was happening without feelings or pain. Only “happenings” that I could relate to the accident: -a white truck hit me… dry sounds… glass flying…, a lot of damage…, I am weightless…, the airbag deployed…, and so on.
The windshield shattered because of the hood displacement. Fortunately the seat belt did an excellent job keeping my 200 pound body tight to the seat. As a comment to emphasize the magnitude of the impact, the GPS/Sound system “popped” out about 2 inches from the dashboard, pushed by the engine.

 

[4Runner8]

wow... thats scary for sure.

 

[CXS]

Thanks for sharing your story and more importantly I'm very glad you're okay Carlos, as they say metal can be replaced. As a new owner of a white 2005 Limited 4WD V8 like yours I do find comfort in seeing how well you were protected. I hope you heal fast, get passed the trauma and return to a new 4Runner and your life soon.

 

[peter78]

Wow, what a story. The picture of the back of the 4Runner crushed by the semi is quite scary. I hope you get better soon and good luck in finding another vehicle, hopefully a nice late model 4Runner.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[gptoy96]

Holy crap! Glad you're ok.

Comforting to know how well the Runner performs it's task when it's needed.

Good look on finding the replacement.

 

[Koz]

I just went through pretty much the same thing. My 05 loaded V8 Limited was totaled but no one was hurt. I did not want to get a used vehicle (also it would have been hard to find one fully loaded (rear air susp & nav). I looked at the 2010 re-designed T4R and too many features have been dropped (V8, rear air susp etc) so I placed a special order on a GX460. Good luck trying to get a replacement!

Koz

 

[MikesToy]

Welcome aboard! OUCH! That sux. Thanks for sharing. Hope the other guy's insurance will pay you VERY well.

 

[90toytruck.]

RIP to the yoda , Glad you escaped with minor injurys , goodluck find another yoda

 

[the_josh]

Wow that truck took a beating!!!! glad your okay :bluejump:



now its time to part out that runner!!!!

 

[MikesToy]

I'm first to call for the following:

- Panasonic battery
- All front and back headrests
- All passenger handles on the ceiling
- Jack and Tools
- Shiftknob
- Amplifier (beside the rear woofer)
- Cross bars

 

[the_josh]

I'm first to call for the following:

- Panasonic battery
- All front and back headrests
- All passenger handles on the ceiling
- Jack and Tools
- Shiftknob
- Amplifier (beside the rear woofer)
- Cross bars

Do you have the money to buy these things? because you always tell everyone you want to buy stuff from them but never do...


and if you look where he got hit... SMACK DAB in the battery!