R50/53 The fable of the MCS vs. the Hit & Run Camaro
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 949
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From: Charlotte, NC
The fable of the MCS vs. the Hit & Run Camaro
I submit, for your entertainment, the story of a humble MCS driver and an unpleasant encounter with a complete moron in afternoon traffic.
Though this story is entirely true in every respect, the names of the hero and the villain are witheld to protect their identities. The location of this incident will also remain undisclosed. After all, this is the United States of America, and the accused moron is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Note to moderators: If any of the terms (eg. moron) are inconsistent with NAM guidelines, please understand that no harm is meant and that in so far as I know, no NAM members or guests are being addressed or referenced in a derogitory or disrespectful manner. I would never do that.
If necessary, this post can be editted to replace the term moron with a more innocuous term like citizen or a more sarcastic term like genius. I truly have no intention to offend anyone and apologize in advance if something in this post fails to entertain and instead injures anyone's feelings. There may well be some out there who sympathize with the moron for all I know.
With that said, here goes:
So the moral of this story is: Drive safely and carefully. And, drive your mirrors. There are morons everywhere. None of us is ever compeletely safe, so pay attention. And if you're going to transport illegal drugs, increse your following distance so you don't end up in jail.
Though this story is entirely true in every respect, the names of the hero and the villain are witheld to protect their identities. The location of this incident will also remain undisclosed. After all, this is the United States of America, and the accused moron is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Note to moderators: If any of the terms (eg. moron) are inconsistent with NAM guidelines, please understand that no harm is meant and that in so far as I know, no NAM members or guests are being addressed or referenced in a derogitory or disrespectful manner. I would never do that.
If necessary, this post can be editted to replace the term moron with a more innocuous term like citizen or a more sarcastic term like genius. I truly have no intention to offend anyone and apologize in advance if something in this post fails to entertain and instead injures anyone's feelings. There may well be some out there who sympathize with the moron for all I know. With that said, here goes:
I was on my way home from work this afternoon when the always-heavy traffic near the University came to an abrupt stop. Since the MINI is pretty nimble, I had no problem getting stopped. Even though it was a bit of an eye-opener, I came to a stop about a half car-length short of the car in front of me.
As soon as I got stopped, I checked my mirror. What I saw was not a pretty picture, let me tell you
. There was an early 90's Camaro coming in fast. Just before he hit me, I saw the nose dive, but it was just too late. I'm not at all sure of his speed, but it looked (and felt) pretty fast. Because I saw him coming, I had my foot firmly on the brake and was "ready" for the collision.
What I wasn't ready for was for him to burn rubber into the next lane and leave the scene
. After a moment of shock, I grabbed a gear and followed him. Because traffic was heavy (and luck was on my side), he got stuck at the next light, allowing me to pull up right behind him. I leaned on the horn heavily and waved for him to pull over.
When he ignored me like nothing had happened, I was furious. I dialed 911. The operator asked for a description of the incident and the car. Because he had out-of-state plates, I was sure he would get away with it if I lost him. So I stayed on the line with the 911 operator and followed him through traffic providing a running play-by-play of his antics and our location. Remember we're talking about drive-time city traffic so the speeds were slower than the OJ chase, frequently coming to a complete stop at traffic lights. He seemed to be making no almost no effort to escape. Instead, he seemed to be ignoring me completely despite my somewhat persistent use of the horn. It was unreal. Bizarre, actually.
After about five minutes, he pulled into the left turn lane at a red light. I stopped behind him with about a car length between us. Then he got out of his car and walked slowly back to my car. He held out his Driver's License and handed it to me through the one-inch opening in my window. His actual words to me were "Here, take this. I'm gonna go on now."
Yeah, right!
With that, he got back in his car and burned rubber again into the now-moving right lane. After another moment of disbelief, I found an opening and followed again, continuing to tell the 911 operator where we were. The Camaro driver's maneuver at the light had managed to put a few cars between us, so now he was trying to be more evasive. However, by this time, the operator had patched in a police dispatcher. So, as soon as he turned into the back of a retail establishment's parking lot, the police turned into the front of the same lot.
I stopped about twenty yards away and watched the city's finest take care of business. With weapons drawn, they approached the car shouting orders and taking control. Before the first line of the "Cops" theme song could even be repeated, the suspect moron was on the ground and cuffed. It was impressive to say the least.
Once the suspect moron was safely ensconsed in the back of one of the police cruisers, an officer asked me to move my car up alongside the Camaro so he could look it over and get my story. It's pretty boring, actually: I was on the way home when I got slammed from behind while stopped. I used my mobile phone to call in the cavalry.
However, the suspect moron's story was really interesting. It turns out the Driver's License he gave me was a fake. He also admitted to exceeding the posted speed limit by "maybe 10 mph" and said that he left the scene because he "had a little marajuana in the car". Gosh, maybe he had good reason to leave. Too bad his reason was against law, too. Moron.
From the comments the officers exchanged, I gathered that a search of the Camaro revealed more than a little marajuana. From the sounds of it, there was a substantial package of the stuff there. How much, I can't say, but it sounded pretty serious.
As for the MINI, I think the damage is mostly cosmetic. It'll need a new rear bumper cover and probably a bumper bar. The rear fog light was dangling. There's now a slight exhaust rattle. But I think the boot lid opens & closes as it should. I'll have the car checked out throroughly by the dealer and by their paint & body shop.
As soon as I got stopped, I checked my mirror. What I saw was not a pretty picture, let me tell you
. There was an early 90's Camaro coming in fast. Just before he hit me, I saw the nose dive, but it was just too late. I'm not at all sure of his speed, but it looked (and felt) pretty fast. Because I saw him coming, I had my foot firmly on the brake and was "ready" for the collision. What I wasn't ready for was for him to burn rubber into the next lane and leave the scene
. After a moment of shock, I grabbed a gear and followed him. Because traffic was heavy (and luck was on my side), he got stuck at the next light, allowing me to pull up right behind him. I leaned on the horn heavily and waved for him to pull over. When he ignored me like nothing had happened, I was furious. I dialed 911. The operator asked for a description of the incident and the car. Because he had out-of-state plates, I was sure he would get away with it if I lost him. So I stayed on the line with the 911 operator and followed him through traffic providing a running play-by-play of his antics and our location. Remember we're talking about drive-time city traffic so the speeds were slower than the OJ chase, frequently coming to a complete stop at traffic lights. He seemed to be making no almost no effort to escape. Instead, he seemed to be ignoring me completely despite my somewhat persistent use of the horn. It was unreal. Bizarre, actually.
After about five minutes, he pulled into the left turn lane at a red light. I stopped behind him with about a car length between us. Then he got out of his car and walked slowly back to my car. He held out his Driver's License and handed it to me through the one-inch opening in my window. His actual words to me were "Here, take this. I'm gonna go on now."
Yeah, right! With that, he got back in his car and burned rubber again into the now-moving right lane. After another moment of disbelief, I found an opening and followed again, continuing to tell the 911 operator where we were. The Camaro driver's maneuver at the light had managed to put a few cars between us, so now he was trying to be more evasive. However, by this time, the operator had patched in a police dispatcher. So, as soon as he turned into the back of a retail establishment's parking lot, the police turned into the front of the same lot.
I stopped about twenty yards away and watched the city's finest take care of business. With weapons drawn, they approached the car shouting orders and taking control. Before the first line of the "Cops" theme song could even be repeated, the suspect moron was on the ground and cuffed. It was impressive to say the least.
Once the suspect moron was safely ensconsed in the back of one of the police cruisers, an officer asked me to move my car up alongside the Camaro so he could look it over and get my story. It's pretty boring, actually: I was on the way home when I got slammed from behind while stopped. I used my mobile phone to call in the cavalry.However, the suspect moron's story was really interesting. It turns out the Driver's License he gave me was a fake. He also admitted to exceeding the posted speed limit by "maybe 10 mph" and said that he left the scene because he "had a little marajuana in the car". Gosh, maybe he had good reason to leave. Too bad his reason was against law, too. Moron.
From the comments the officers exchanged, I gathered that a search of the Camaro revealed more than a little marajuana. From the sounds of it, there was a substantial package of the stuff there. How much, I can't say, but it sounded pretty serious.
As for the MINI, I think the damage is mostly cosmetic. It'll need a new rear bumper cover and probably a bumper bar. The rear fog light was dangling. There's now a slight exhaust rattle. But I think the boot lid opens & closes as it should. I'll have the car checked out throroughly by the dealer and by their paint & body shop.
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Charlotte, NC
Originally Posted by bluesmini
sounds like it was a good idea to follow that clown. just a guess but he doesn't have any insurance. hope that all works out. i'm in charlotte also.
That strikes me as funny because this genius is exactly the kind of guy who would try the clown car joke. With any luck, the joke may be on him this time. The police provided all his info including insurance info. We'll find out today.
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Charlotte, NC
Originally Posted by TMGRobyn
Thank goodness he wasn't armed. Amd needless to ask or say - he probably wasn't insured either eh?
Glad you're okay and the car can be repaired!
Glad you're okay and the car can be repaired!
. But just letting him get away with it was definitely not acceptable.
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I have a story; I know it's true because it happened to me back in the late 80's. I had a red '73 SAAB 96 (Eric the Red).
I was dozing at like 1:00 in the morning and heard a crash outside - by the time I got outside my car had been dragged out by its bumper about 40 feet and was just sitting in the middle of the corner intersection. Saab had a bashed in rear fender and twisted bumper.
The next day a neighber told me he saw what looked like a 2nd generation Camaro or Firebird and I picked up some grill pieces and paint chips from the street where the initial impact took place. A buddy of mine who did body and paint work was into American iron commented that the paint was not standard for that car so it was probably customized.
Fast forward a week and I'm driving not far from where I live and I see a Light metallic blue Camaro with a damaged grill - so I whips around to follow him - as I get closer to spot the license plate he sees me and takes off thru the streets of Albany at like 60 mph and i'm struggling to keep up with him in my 65 horsepower Eric the Red. Once I get the number there's no more point in chasing the guy. I went to the local police station and they contemplated whether they should do anythimg or not but they did me a favor and ran the plate to find it was someone they were familiar with and went to the guys house and matched up the shards of grill plastic.
They offerd him the choice of turning the incident in to his insurance or facing a 'leaving the scene'. Antway I got the car fixed and even made a few bucks since my buddy and I did the repairs together.
I was dozing at like 1:00 in the morning and heard a crash outside - by the time I got outside my car had been dragged out by its bumper about 40 feet and was just sitting in the middle of the corner intersection. Saab had a bashed in rear fender and twisted bumper.
The next day a neighber told me he saw what looked like a 2nd generation Camaro or Firebird and I picked up some grill pieces and paint chips from the street where the initial impact took place. A buddy of mine who did body and paint work was into American iron commented that the paint was not standard for that car so it was probably customized.
Fast forward a week and I'm driving not far from where I live and I see a Light metallic blue Camaro with a damaged grill - so I whips around to follow him - as I get closer to spot the license plate he sees me and takes off thru the streets of Albany at like 60 mph and i'm struggling to keep up with him in my 65 horsepower Eric the Red. Once I get the number there's no more point in chasing the guy. I went to the local police station and they contemplated whether they should do anythimg or not but they did me a favor and ran the plate to find it was someone they were familiar with and went to the guys house and matched up the shards of grill plastic.
They offerd him the choice of turning the incident in to his insurance or facing a 'leaving the scene'. Antway I got the car fixed and even made a few bucks since my buddy and I did the repairs together.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 949
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From: Charlotte, NC
The bad news: Upon closer examination it appears that my rear hatch may not be fitting as closely as it did before. The seam between the hatch and the body seems to widen slightly as it approaches the rear bumper.
The good news: I think I've "fixed" the exhaust rattle. It was just a place where the heat shield from the exhaust had been bent and was touching the exhaust slightly.
The good news: I think I've "fixed" the exhaust rattle. It was just a place where the heat shield from the exhaust had been bent and was touching the exhaust slightly.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,443
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From: Wichita, Kansas
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 21
From: Delta BC, Canada
Where I live, the guy driving the Camaro would be back on the street in 24 hours. You did a great job chasing him down. Where I live, I probably would have been arrested for that.
Okay...that's my cynical rant about the laws in Canada. I hear our government is finally working on tightening up on that...but I won't hold my breath.
Glad to hear you're not hurt and hope you find a good bodyshop.
If you bought your car new, did you buy replacement insurance? That is, if your car gets wrecked, your insurance will replace your car.
Okay...that's my cynical rant about the laws in Canada. I hear our government is finally working on tightening up on that...but I won't hold my breath.
Glad to hear you're not hurt and hope you find a good bodyshop.
If you bought your car new, did you buy replacement insurance? That is, if your car gets wrecked, your insurance will replace your car.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,061
Likes: 1
From: Richmond, VA
Originally Posted by kaelaria
Around here, the guy would have had his tires shot out before he got a block...and he'd be lucky if he didn't get some lead poisoning as well.
Sounds like where i used to live. He would have probably been a part of the Lakeside Murder Squad.
Coordinator :: Gulf Coast & Panhandle MINIs
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,662
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From: In the Tube
Sorry about the banged up MINI eMINI, but two thumbs up for the perseverance to follow him and give the play by play. As someone mentioned it may not have been such a great idea, but I’m glad they nailed him and I hope everything works out with the MINI repairs.
I had a major accident and repairs a couple years ago to my MCS and it still drives like a new MINI after it was fixed. Best of luck on the repair work.
I had a major accident and repairs a couple years ago to my MCS and it still drives like a new MINI after it was fixed. Best of luck on the repair work.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,062
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by eMINI
Before the first line of the "Cops" theme song could even be repeated, the suspect moron was on the ground and cuffed.
Always good to see someone who can keep their sense of humor in such a bizarre situation. Good luck getting your car straightened out right, and make sure they check it out bumper to bumper. A good jolt can do all kinds of damage to other parts of the car.
Originally Posted by camelpilot
Here is some good advice...
Never press the brake in anticipation of a rear end collision.
Never press the brake in anticipation of a rear end collision.
Sand Dollar Collector
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,249
Likes: 2
From: Moved from Leesburg, VA to Oceanside, CA Nov. 2003
Wow - what a story!
First - I'm happy to hear that nobody was hurt in any way (except for the poor MINI). That guy could have had a gun or whatever!!!
And second, good job on the quick thinking, calling the cops and staying with him until they hauled him off to jail.. I know my heart would have been pounding through my chest at that point....whew....:smile:
Donna
First - I'm happy to hear that nobody was hurt in any way (except for the poor MINI). That guy could have had a gun or whatever!!!
And second, good job on the quick thinking, calling the cops and staying with him until they hauled him off to jail..
I know my heart would have been pounding through my chest at that point....whew....:smile: Donna
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
Originally Posted by camelpilot
Here is some good advice...
Never press the brake in anticipation of a rear end collision.
Never press the brake in anticipation of a rear end collision.
I don't understand why? If you cannot get out of the way then you do not want to hit the person in front of you (and if he had hit the car in front of him he never would have been able to go in pursuit of the Camaro..)
Banned
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,848
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From: City of Angels, Cali
Originally Posted by eVal
I don't understand why? If you cannot get out of the way then you do not want to hit the person in front of you (and if he had hit the car in front of him he never would have been able to go in pursuit of the Camaro..)
But yeah, you need to prepare to brake to slow you down so that you dont hit the car in front of you, it's all about timing I guess.
Take it from someone who did it successfully. I saw car incoming at about 30mph, I whacked it into second and gunned it, big bang, whiplash, whiplash on my passenger and broke her hair clip, the car lurched forward as I was hit, then I slammed on the brakes just in time so that I didnt hit SUV in front of me. I got outside, expecting the worst, and well hell, only a scratch on the bumper. A very small scratch that you could hardly see, it was pretty awesome.
Didnt happen in my S though, thank god, but I drive with eyes in the back of my head now, with anticipation every time of a rear ending. No one will ever get me, even if they try, no knocking on wood about it.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,365
Likes: 2
From: Yinzer in Exile
I, too, saved myself some bumper damage by letting off the brake then hitting it before I rolled into the intersection. It also saves your neck some bangin' around...
That story is really freakin' funny -- in the way that you have to laugh, lest you cry. NOT in the mean-spirited way.
That story is really freakin' funny -- in the way that you have to laugh, lest you cry. NOT in the mean-spirited way.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,431
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From: Boerne/SAtown TX
Sorry about that eMini, but I should admit that you did a great job chasing the guy, and keeping your cool, I would not hold myself in the same situation, then all you guys would watch me on CNN breaking news
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 949
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From: Charlotte, NC
In retrospect, I should have allowed myself more room to stop. Because I didn't, I just had to get stopped the best way I could. Once stopped I had no time to act again. The Camaro was already too close and too fast. If I had more space in which to stop, maybe I could have done something to lessen the impact. As it was, I feel fortunate that only the rear of my car got banged up.
All kidding aside, I will be increasing my following distance and keeping a closer eye on the cars around me. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
All kidding aside, I will be increasing my following distance and keeping a closer eye on the cars around me. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
Originally Posted by camelpilot
You sustain more damage if you dont let the momentum push you forward.
But yeah, you need to prepare to brake to slow you down so that you dont hit the car in front of you, it's all about timing I guess.
Take it from someone who did it successfully. I saw car incoming at about 30mph, I whacked it into second and gunned it, big bang, whiplash, whiplash on my passenger and broke her hair clip, the car lurched forward as I was hit, then I slammed on the brakes just in time so that I didnt hit SUV in front of me. I got outside, expecting the worst, and well hell, only a scratch on the bumper. A very small scratch that you could hardly see, it was pretty awesome.
Didnt happen in my S though, thank god, but I drive with eyes in the back of my head now, with anticipation every time of a rear ending. No one will ever get me, even if they try, no knocking on wood about it.
But yeah, you need to prepare to brake to slow you down so that you dont hit the car in front of you, it's all about timing I guess.
Take it from someone who did it successfully. I saw car incoming at about 30mph, I whacked it into second and gunned it, big bang, whiplash, whiplash on my passenger and broke her hair clip, the car lurched forward as I was hit, then I slammed on the brakes just in time so that I didnt hit SUV in front of me. I got outside, expecting the worst, and well hell, only a scratch on the bumper. A very small scratch that you could hardly see, it was pretty awesome.
Didnt happen in my S though, thank god, but I drive with eyes in the back of my head now, with anticipation every time of a rear ending. No one will ever get me, even if they try, no knocking on wood about it.