DownByLaw

Hi all,

I'm a c5'er but came across this in the news today. Hopefully not one of our members.

http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2...l#incart_river

I often think of getting one of the older cars, but these stories make me wince a bit.

Patrick

5thvet

Very sad. Hard to survive a head on crash in a C1 ( and 2 and 3 for that matter)

Don

Black 03 Z06

Sad business.

Rest in Peace. Condolences to family.

Kerrmudgeon

Fifty years of technology protected the stupid beotch in a head on wreck.....that's a shame.

DansYellow66

My biggest fear in driving my old cars. Sympathies to the family.

Frankie the Fink

The old C1s cars have zilch for protection (other than pretty lightly anchored seat belts) compared to modern cars. Moreover, the average car now has more mass than an old plastic Corvette (nearly double in many cases).

If you're hit head-on (or most any other way really) survival odds are in the single digits. The best you can do is dive to the right across the passenger seat and maybe the rigid (no rag joint) steering column won't impale you. Prob won't make a difference though -- the engine will prob take you out.

frankturbo

sad but true , I think about that every time I drive my 63 and 69 , when I was young , that never bothered me , must be getting old...er

tach drive 61

very sad story rest in peace .

Hitch

You've summed it up pretty good. Usually when if I see someone doing something stupid my go to is downshift and stand on the gas and hope that I can beat them to the spot and miss the accident. I use this regardless of what car I'm in. It seems if you slow down the idiot that you are trying to avoid aims for you...

Hitch

Roger Walling

On my 57, I strengthened up the fiberglass and installed 5" plates of steel under the seat belts and installed a collapsible steering column. I hope that I never need them.

jasonsamara

I really don't think about it much, but I'm not sure what your gonna do when the idot (who was probably on the phone) crosses over and hits you. I always leave a large gap to the vehicle in front and always scanning at entrances when I see cars. I really don't want to think about it when my daughter is with me.

Rich Yanulis

Lexus Driver was not hurt.............C1 Driver was killed.
........Very Sad.........

This may give some reasonable explanation why someone would want to have a C6 converted to look like a C1.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...it-window.html

VITIV Coupe

" It was not clear why the Lexus driver, Elaine Moran, a 69-year-old from Long Valley, crossed into oncoming traffic, police said. She was not hurt and declined medical treatment". Either way, she crossed the double line and should be charged. That's vehicular manslaughter where I come from.

Frankie the Fink

Most statutes require that the vehicle be operated in a "reckless manner". This elderly woman prob just forgot which planet she was on and unfortunately took a life. I'll bet charges aren't even filed...other than some traffic infraction.

W Guy

Yes, I can tell you from personal experience regarding a family tragedy that recklessness has to be proven. It can be proven if the killer tests positive for alcohol or drugs, not just wild driving. I doubt that would apply in this situation though.

Verne

capevettes

In Mass we had a few of these types of accidents and would would charge the operator with Vehicular Homicide. Vehicular Homicide in our state requires a death coupled with either Operating under the influence OR operating negligently or as to endanger the live's and safety of the public. Crossing over the center line and causing a head on collision and fatality certainly meets the criteria in this and many states.

MikeM

One minor point here that I often wonder about.

The driver of the Corvette was ejected so was it the head on impact that killed him or was it a sudden stop after he was ejected?

Apparently, he wasn't wearing a seat belt. Yeah, I know that car was old enough it probably wasn't required to have seat belts or even a requirement that the belt be worn if it did have one.

But suppose it was required, the driver didn't wear the belt and he was alive when he left the car but dead when he stopped. How can the driver of the other car be charged with the death? Accident responsibility maybe but not the death?

ricks327

In Michigan the driver would be charged with negligent homicide, 2years prison and/or $2,000. Plus, I'm sure the prosecutor's office would add other charges.
Sad to hear though, these old cars don't have much crash worthiness.
Rick

P.S. I would add that could be a minimum charge depending on the investigation.

SDVette

Really?

You guys are pretty harsh for not knowing any facts of this tragedy... Could be mechanical failure... could be medical problems... who knows? Bottom line: Driving a 50 year old car is a choice.. Sometimes sh*t happens...

Condolences to all.

capevettes

Mike,The negligent operation of the other operator set in motion the events that caused the Corvette operator's death. The fact that he wasn't wearing a seatbelt, while it might have saved his life, doesn't negate the cause of the accident and the responsibility of the other operator to stay in their lane. The factors you mention might be something that could be argued at trial but wouldn't cause the responsible party not to be charged.