and well!

Atlanta, 3:30 Sunday afternoon, Rob (my boyfriend), Lotta (my dog) and I were in a pretty serious accident on I-75N, just inside I-285 that, thanks to Rob's quick thinking, the MINI's handling, and 2 deployed airbags, all of us were able to walk away from the wreck.

The traffic pre-I-285 was very backed up due to an "all lanes blocked" accident during the heavy rains that were pounding the east coast. Once inside the Perimeter (I-285), traffic cleared, we shifted into a higher gear, moved into the HOV lane and were probably doing about 50+ when B*tchin' Camaro came hydroplaning across 5 lanes of traffic right into ours.

Rob doesn't remember much of the accident. Where as I remember the whole thing in slow motion.
I remember the B*tchin' Camaro slide in front of us, Rob tried to move out of his way, BC over compensates for his lack of traction and rear-wheel drive and slides right back in front of us.
We collide.
I remember the hit and the crunching sounds of the cars.
I remember Rob's airbag going off and thinking "WOW, never been in an accident like this! and OH ***** THIS IS GOING TO HURT!!"
Then my airbag went off and the car stopped.
The BC (I think) tried to get away, but his busted front axle only let him get another 100 yards down the road.

We're battered, bruised, shaken, but not stirred. Rob broke his right hand on the gear shift or center console area. He most likely will require surgery. We spent 8 1/2 hours in Grady ER, which was pretty entertaining in its own right.

As for the MINI... well, Gunner did his job – he saved our lives.
Hopefully he'll will be totaled out. and I'll be ordering another one soon (Son of a Gunner!).

Gunner - 2006 MCS - Own for 2 months, at 2956 miles:

the B*tchin' Camaro in the background.

 

"My dad's a TV repairman, He's got a bitchin' set of tools!"

 

RIP Gunner. You did good, little car. . . you did good.

 

Oh my God! Glad you guys (and your dog) are ok. Good thing Gunner did such a good job protecting you.

 

Wow! I had a Volvo once which did its job. It was stopped waiting for a car to turn left when a Chevy Suburban came over the hill and 50 mph and crashed into the rear. Total collapse of the trunk but my wife and kid were fine. They were on the way to his violin lesson and had the violin in the trunk. It was a case full of splinters. Still, he burrowed on of his teacher's violins, completed his lesson, and played in a high school soccer game the next day. Good to see the MINI can be safe too.

I felt very kindly toward Swedish Corporate giants form some time after that accident.

 

is that dat bitchin camaro sitting there behind gunner?

glad to hear you guys made it through. wow, that's a bad crash!

 

I got chills seeing you two standing next to Gunner.

You two are ok. Taking another breath... and that is SO amazing to see!

Rest in peace, Gunner... you lived a good life... and have given your life to save others.

 

all that matters is you're ok...thankfully!

i suppose when the dust settles, getting an new mini wont be so bad either

drive safe - drew

 

wow, so glad to see that everyone is okay and that gunnar did such a great job. So many people ask if I think MINIs are safe. Your story is a perfect example of how well they are engineered.

 

SO glad that everybody's OK! Was it your head that put that dent in the windshield? Ouch!

 

Oh! Scary! Glad you two look OK other than .. you know, a broken wrist! Here's hoping your next MINI won't have to do the same job, even though this one seems to have done quite well.

 

Wow. Obviously, glad to hear everyone is ok. Also, FWIW, that picture is incredible.

My best wishes for Rob's full recovery.

 

can i have your headlight?
im just kidding. wow that realy gos to show how safe the mini is. im very glad the both of you are ok...oh and the dog!
congrats on getting a new car because that one sure does look totalled

 

Good to hear that you're ok and that the MINI protected you that well!

 

Wow guys, what an experience. I'm glad you lived to tell. Best wishes on healing those bruises and break.

Gunner has gone to the Dragon in the Sky.

Good little Gunner.

 

Very glad your all OK.

 

Thanks for your post. While I've read how safe the Mini is that photo of a caved in drivers door, and both of you safe, is living (pardon the pun) proof.

To Gunner, RIP you were AWSOME!!

To Son of Gunner, sure you have big shoes to fill with your owners.

Most importantly, Rob, fillelectrique, and Lotta, you are all OK.

 

As I read more and more of these stories, the better I feel about buying my MCS. The only wreck that I have heard of where the driver did not walk away took place at a race track. I am glad you and your boy friend are ok. I hope the other driver has insurance.

 

More confidence in my MINI for it's crashworthiness

 

Wow, glad to see you guys are OK. Just goes to show ya how great the MINI is given its size.

I wish your boyfriend a speedy recovery, and the both of you a speedy reception of your new MINI

EDIT: That's a great picture, by the way. Very telling. I suggest sending it to MINI USA with your story.

 

I am glad you guys are ok, good job Gunner! May you be motoring happily in that great racetrack in the sky.

 

Glad to see you standing next to what is left of Gunner. Seeing this gives me great confidence in the MINI withstanding a crash and knowing the safety equipment works the way it is supposed to work when needed. I have had so many people ask if I feel safe driving around in "that little thing" and sometimes I wondered as with all those types of questions being asked. So thanks for the photo of confidence and good luck in replacing Gunner. And once again, glad all is well with you.

 

Ya gotta respect Gunner...what a car!! Having been an a wreck in my MINI myself, I recall how grateful one feels to the MINI for taking the hit and leaving you safe. Hope you can get another one soon...and speedy recovery to Rob.


stupid camaro

 

Congrats to Gunner on everyone walking away safe. It helps my comfort knowing I drive such a sturdy car. Well I hope all injuries recover well and that you find yourself ordering a new MINI soon.

Best Wishes
Shannah

 

For someone whose brand new car just got totaled you are in pretty good spirits. Probably has to do with making it out of the wreck alive! SHould send that pic to MINIusa...they should start an ad campaign with all the battered and bruised MINIs whose owners have walked away safely.