So it's been quite a while since my last post. It has been a little over 2 years and a lot has happened. I have kept quiet about all of this until I knew the outcome, and since everything legal wise is just about over I feel it is ok to come out and talk about this.
Things changed for me on Oct.14, 2016. My friend and I went for a spin around the block in the Corolla, and were involved in a car wreck. I still don't remember what happened to this day, but I lost my friend in that wreck, he died from his injuries. We had been friends for quite a number of year and was very dear to me. I met him back in the late 90's in a shop that we both worked at. His family has been very supportive though out this whole process, which I am truly thankful for.
I spent 10 days in the hospital as a result of my injuries that I sustained from the wreck. Had a couple of surgeries to my right arm. Then I didn't work for 2 months after that. So to say things have been hard is an understatement. The police report wasn't much help in trying to figure out what happened. It just said that we left the roadway at a high rate of speed. Not sure what happened. The throttle could have hung open, could have had a blow out, we could have been run off the road, or we could have romped on this really hard and got away from me. But after taking the car apart, I couldn't find a single reason for what caused the wreck. During the impact, it separated the engine from the transmission. It broke the transmission case and it broke the block. Everything was fully destroyed.
I had made decisions years before that helped save my life. I had up to date seat belts, that aluminum seat, and the cage. While it sucks thinking about how much all of the safety equipment costs, or the time and all the effort of putting then in yourself, this has made me stop and remember all of the times I hated sliding over the door bar getting in and out, or how many times the seat jabbed me in the ribs. Now....I am positive that it was all worth it! I am alive today for making those decisions. And when the time comes, I will make those same decisions again.
I encourage you, if you have a car that is questionably fast, get the safety gear. I had things that weren't required for how fast my car was. But these things helped in the end. I only required a roll bar not a full cage. And I had installed rocker bars and that is what kept the right side passenger compartment from getting more f#&ked up than it could've. They kept the passenger seat area somewhat together, and allowed the rear floor to take the brunt. If you're looking to have cage work done, don't skimp. It is not much more in the grand scheme to add the extra bars now. Buy and/or use seat belts in your hotrod or your daily.
This will probably be my last post on this build thread, so I am ok with the administrators to delete this thread if they deem necessary after any given time. I would like to say thank you to those who have commented, extended advise and encouragement through this journey. And from me to all of you, go hug your spouse, go hug your kids and tell them that you love them. Because each day is truly a gift. Thank you all.
