Auto News: Jan. 6, 2012: Literally: Friday, January 6th, found Joe Walsh driving from Sacramento to Bakersfield down Highway 99 when he had a car accident! Walsh turned off onto Exit 145 in Madera, California. "It was a straight exit turn off," he said. But when he went to slow down the 2008 Toyota Prius, Hatchback, it would not slow down. He claims he jammed on the brakes several times in the Exit, but the vehicle would not stop.As his car approach the "T" intersection, with cars at the 3 stop signs, "they must have seen me coming," he said. "The intersection stayed clear as he entered it, with a Tractor Dealership in front of him. With a desperate cry to God for help, Walsh says at the last second he pulled the steering wheel to the left with the car sliding ways into the intersection, the right front wheel slammed into the high curb with a shocking jolt and loud sounding crash! But the car continue to roll toward a four-way intersection a short distance from impacting the curb. Walsh says, he continued pressing hard on the brakes, but the car still would not stop as the car continues toward the Stop Light intersection with cross traffic. In order to avoid a collision with cars in the intersection, Walsh says he pulled the steering wheel hard again, only this time to the right and hugged the curb as it rolled around the curb a few feet and the front of the car collapsed.
A young man ran over to his car and banged on his passenger door yelling if he was alright. Walsh responded he thought so. The young man, about 18, urged him to get out of the car because the right front of the car was smoking and he was concerned for a fire to start. Slowing Walsh apparently open his driver door and in shock walked toward the front of the car to view it. "It was a mess", was Walsh's response, fluid and smoke.
Someone must has called 911 because within a couple of minutes a Madera Police car with two officers arrived at the scene. They asked Walsh how he was doing as they accessed the scene and directed traffic around the 2008 Toyota Prius. A triple A truck was called and hauled the vehicle back to Sacramento.
Key thoughts: I am very thankful to God to be alive! When I stop and think or visualize those last 200 or more feet toward that "T" Intersection, and my desperate prayer to God for "Help"! All I can say is, He must have pulled on that steering wheel! And gratefully, I am here to tell the story. Now is the struggle with my USAA insurance company, Toyota Corp, and Maita Toyota of Sacramento as to who or what is to blame for the accident, Just two days and 170 miles earlier the car was in for 30k maintenance at Maita. As of this posting the case is still NOT resolved. Let's pray for a speedy and equitable solution and replacement for that car.
UPDATE: On March 30th, 2012, God resolved the issue for us surrounding the accident with my 2008 Toyota, Prius, by enabling us to trade the car in for another vehicle. A 2012, new Honda Accord! I am very grateful for those involved who helped us negotiate it's purchase . I am also grateful to our USAA insurance company of 28 years for their help in resolving the very expensive repairs on the Prius. Thank you, so very much! Our whole family highly recommends USAA!
