Our Pilot saved our lives

[CNJ]

A couple of weeks ago my family and I were involved in a horrific collision. We were heading home from Yellowstone NP on a 2 lane hwy in S Wyoming when steady rain turned into a hail storm. A guy driving a Toyota pu suddenly lost control and went sideways directly in front of us. I didn't have time to finish saying Oh Sh*t when we plowed into the passenger side of his truck with tremendous force. Long story short I suffered a broken collarbone (from the belt I was told) and my wife suffered a fracture in her lower back. I have 2 4yo twin girls who were buckled in britax car seats and tethered in who suffered only abrasions on their chest from the belts. The other driver wasn't so lucky, he was killed instantly as I understand it. I was traveling at about 50 mph and I suspect the other guy was going faster. So were talking about 100mph+ closing speed. I had a fraction of a second to think this was going to be it. If it weren't for the safety features of our beloved Pilot I wouldn't be writing this now. I wanted to tell everyone here that you have a very safe vehicle. It absolutely saved our lives. My wife and I will recover fully, I have a figure 8 brace and sling and my wife has a back brace. Luckily she didn't have any neurological damage. Remember to always buckle up and make sure your children are in proper car seats for their age.

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[pilot_rave]

Glad you and your family are doing fine feel sorry for the other person; speed and rain don't mix.
Will you be purchasing another Pilot?

[sblvro]

wow, glad you guys were alive from the looks of it. get well soon.

[rocky]

Holy sh*t thats a bad accident. Thank you for sharing with us.

[krazykarguy]

did they have to cut the roof off?!? That's a bad hit.

Glad to know that you and your family made it through relatively unscathed.

[gopilot]

Sorry you had to go through that, sooo happy your family is ok!

I have little ones and man that would have been crazy to go through

Sorry about the other driver, nothing anyone could have done or avoided.

[CNJ]

Thanks Folks! Yea they apparently had to cut and fold the roof back to extract my wife due to her back injury. We can't thank the emergency responders enough, they handled the situation very professionally. The whole situation was an absolute nightmare. Many good things happened right after though. They transferred us to Salt Lake where our friends live. They took care of us for a few days until my wife was released from the hospital. My friend drove me 90mi to recover our stuff (Laptop, Camera Equipment, luggage etc) 95% of which is all good. This was the end of a 11day trip so I have all the pictures. We had a great trip, it just didnt end well obviously!! We flew home from SLC and our friends will ship back the things we couldn't bring with us. We are very fortunate, the way I see it! I have a new outlook on life, family, and friends. Lots of love for all. I can't tell you how everyone stepped up for us.

[jcantanixon]

Originally Posted by krazykarguy

did they have to cut the roof off?!? That's a bad hit.

It looks like they had to cut the left side A and B pillars and the driver's window frame in order to open the door.

Originally Posted by pilot_rave

speed and rain don't mix.

Especially not on an undivided highway.

[gopilot]

Originally Posted by CNJ

Thanks Folks! Yea they apparently had to cut and fold the roof back to extract my wife due to her back injury. We can't thanks the emergency responders enough, they handled the situation very professionally. The whole situation was an absolute nightmare. Many good things happened right after. They transferred us to Salt Lake where our friends live. They took care of us for a few days until my wife was released from the hospital. My friend drove me 90mi to recover our stuff (Laptop, Camera Equipment, luggage etc) 95% of which is all good. This was the end of a 11day trip so I have all the pictures. We had a great trip, it just didnt end well obviously!! We flew home from SLC and our friends will ship back the things we couldn't bring with us. We are very fortunate, the way I see it! I have a new outlook on life, family, and friends. Lots of love for all. I can't tell you how everyone stepped up for us.

By sharing this, it will open all our eyes.

Interesting how we look at life when something like this happens. Things that we thought we so important to us suddenly change

[CNJ]

Originally Posted by gopilot

By sharing this, it will open all our eyes.

Interesting how we look at life when something like this happens. Things that we thought we so important to us suddenly change

yes glad I could share the story. Rest assured your all driving one of the safest vehicles out there. We are looking at our options for replacement and a possible upgrade here Pilot vs MDX vs CX9 or other?

[exploreco97]

Originally Posted by gopilot

By sharing this, it will open all our eyes.

Interesting how we look at life when something like this happens. Things that we thought we so important to us suddenly change

Very true as alot of us will be hitting the road this summer for family vacations.


Glad everyone in the Pilot are ok!! Best of luck deciding what your next vehicle will be.

[Txaggie2003]

Wow, very scary, glad yall are ok! i was hit by an 18 wheeler 6 years ago in my Accord on the driver's side & came out w/ just a couple bruises & cuts from the glass. i didn't want to get back in a little car so that's when i bought my Pilot. i love Hondas!

[jonaz]

Those Britax car seats probably saved your little twin girls from serious injury. My twins are 6, and I am still thinking about getting some of those seats. Thanks for sharing, and glad you guys are OK.

[carguy07]

Originally Posted by jonaz

Those Britax car seats probably saved your little twin girls from serious injury. My twins are 6, and I am still thinking about getting some of those seats. Thanks for sharing, and glad you guys are OK.

I have a Britax Marathon and love it. Just hit the button on one of these since my daughter is out growing the Marathon. Good car seats are worth every penny IMO.

Awesome price here: Britax Frontier 85 SICT Booster Car Seat - Portabello

[CNJ]

Originally Posted by jonaz

Those Britax car seats probably saved your little twin girls from serious injury. My twins are 6, and I am still thinking about getting some of those seats. Thanks for sharing, and glad you guys are OK.

That's been my belief since the accident. I'd love to know what the G force was at the moment of impact. It was a very high # I'm sure. All they had was some abrasions on their chests from the belts. Those seats are rock solid. Thanks