Well this was more exciting than we bargained for heading up Kenosha Pass

[UniqueUserName]

My 6yo grandson is staying with us for the month and said he wanted to go on a "Jumpin-Jeep" ride. We figured we'd take him on a low-key 4wd trip (Mt Bross to see the bristlecone pines and Boreas pass to see the Breckenridge Troll). Heading up Kenosha Pass things suddenly got really exciting.

The scream is from the Camry passenger.

The oncoming white Jeep made an unsafe/illegal pass (double-yellow, blind curve, multiple vehicles) coming down off of Kenosha pass. He caused the Camry to abruptly swerve hard into me and knocked my Jeep off the highway. Both the A-holes fled the scene. I got the license plate off the Camry and his POS car is tattooed pretty well, but I didn't get the tag off the Jeep.

No one was hurt, but I won't be wheeling for a while as the impact messed up my front suspension and steering. The Camry hit hard on my front wheel.

Damage was much less than I expected, almost no body damage, but he did screw up some stuff. Here's what I know from a cursory lookover:

• ESC Active light stays on
• Forward Collision Warning Off indicator light is on
• Service Forward Collision Warning is on
• Service Adaptive Cruise light is on
• Front axles and diff are shifted right 1+ inch along with sway bar links, etc.
• Left LCA is buckled, I imagine all front control arms are bent
• Steering wheel alignment and "feel" are off
• Front drive shaft is dented (not sure what hit it)
• Left front fender is knocked loose at the rear
• Rear passenger wheel is damaged and the tire flat (went sideways into a big rock)
• Front driver wheel and tire are scuffed
• Front steel bumper is bent/buckled on the right side (speed limit sign impact)
• Slight scuffing on driver side A-pillar and gutter (speed limit sign must have just touched them when it sailed overhead)
• Driver side mirror is obliterated

Amazingly, the only body damage that I see is the front fender clips (the fender itself doesn't even appear scratched) and the A-Pillar/gutter scuff.

My insurance (USAA) is having the vehicle picked up in the next couple days to be evaluated. Based on what happened and the observed damaged items, any advice on other things that I should check or request be specifically checked by the assessor?

Also, if anybody recognized this Jeep, I'd sure like to know about it. CSP would like to talk to the owner.


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[RicRecon]

Sh#t, that was scary and sucks! I’ve driven that pass. Glad it wasn’t worse. Hope you find the AH.

 

[AdamNash]

Hope you find them too OP! Looks like some solid reaction driving on your part. That could have gone a lot worse. Glad everyone is safe, hoping it’s all behind you quickly.

 

[AFD]

Not at all blaming you for anything, but just curious why you increased your speed from 55 to 60, when slowing down, keeping pace and/or scooching over toward the berm would've allowed the Camry to quickly squeeze over into your lane?

Shit happens. Just a shame if it could've been avoided all together, but it certainly could've gone far worse. As long as no one was injured, then that's definitely what matters the most.

 

[UniqueUserName]

Not at all blaming you for anything, but just curious why you increased your speed from 55 to 60, when slowing down, keeping pace and/or scooching over toward the berm would've allowed the Camry to quickly squeeze over into your lane?

Shit happens. Just a shame if it could've been avoided all together, but it certainly could've gone far worse. As long as no one was injured, then that's definitely what matters the most.

I was passing the Camry, who was in the wrong lane (that's why I was on the right), because his speed had been erratic. I waited until a dedicated passing lane open up on the upgrade (at which point he was supposed to take the right lane). We had just rounded a bend which is when the white Jeep first came into view. I was paying attention to the erratic driver I was passing and my lane and frankly didn't see the white Jeep until the Camry swerved into me. Had I seen the Jeep on our side of the road before him, I definitely would have been on the brakes. I figured that there was a good chance that he may be impaired, which is why I was trying to get clear of him. It might also have something to do with why he fled after hitting me.

This probably turned out to be the best possible scenario (i.e., two vehicles travelling uphill occupying both uphill travel lanes encountering an oncoming vehicle attempting an illegal pass in the wrong lane and inadequate room for both to be able to stop). If the Camry guy had been in the lane he was supposed to have been in, I would have been facing a potential head-on with the oncoming jeep in the left lane. If the Camry driver hadn't bolted after hitting me, I wouldn't have held the accident against him. The white Jeep instigated the entire event. But there's no sympathy for those who hit-and-run. It should be a jailable offense IMO.

 

[Wbino]

Not great driving on your part. You were trying to pass on the right and you never slowed down even when the car started moving your way.

 

[UniqueUserName]

Not great driving on your part. You were trying to pass on the right and you never slowed down even when the car started moving your way.

Shit. He just yanked the wheel right without a thought. You can see the smoke coming off his front tire (but no brake lights), his passenger and dog flying around just before he hit me. He never touched his brakes. He hit me about the same time I got my foot from the gas to the brake. It was a fraction of a second from the time he initiated his swerve to the time hit me. If I wasn't there he'd have driven right across the lane and into the embankment. I can't dodge a missile from six feet on mountain pass.

 

[Wabujitsu]

Shit. He just yanked the wheel right without a thought. You can see the smoke coming off his front tire (but no brake lights), his passenger and dog flying around just before he hit me. He never touched his brakes. He hit me about the same time I got my foot from the gas to the brake. It was a fraction of a second from the time he initiated his swerve to the time hit me. If I wasn't there he'd have driven right across the lane and into the embankment. I can't dodge a missile from six feet on mountain pass.

It’s too easy for folks to analyze a few seconds of video from the comfort of their chair. Passing on the right in your state is legal. It’s a tough call whether to pass an impaired driver who is driving erratically. You have to take in the totality of the circumstance to make that decision, and that totality is not shown in your short video.

 

[multicam]

Glad you’re okay, it definitely could have been worse!

yeah that Camry driver must have had something else going on. Impairment or a warrant or lapsed license, etc. Because why not stop, the jeep was clearly at fault for passing over a double yellow.

Camry driver probably felt like he did what he had to to avoid hitting the jeep, but he violated a rule of driving: always know what’s around you in case you do need to swerve.

But then again, people who drive erratically and camp in the left lane going slow probably aren’t masters of situational awareness.

 

[TheBirdie72]

I’m just glad you and yours are ok. That could’ve ended up much worse for all involved.

 

[jeepingib]

BOLO for white Rubicon with a Rhino rack, Smittybuilt RTT, Rotopax water cans and bugout bag on spare.

 

[KNN]

Glad everyone’s safe. That could have ended much worse. I think you did a good job keeping your rig under control.

What kind of dash cam is that?

 

[Byrds8]

Glad you guys are all ok.

 

[Old Jeeper]

It’s too easy for folks to analyze a few seconds of video from the comfort of their chair. Passing on the right in your state is legal. It’s a tough call whether to pass an impaired driver who is driving erratically. You have to take in the totality of the circumstance to make that decision, and that totality is not shown in your short video.

You are so right, a few secs of video does not tell the tale of the tape.

 

[TX_Ovrlnd]

BOLO for white Rubicon with a Rhino rack, Smittybuilt RTT, Rotopax water cans and bugout bag on spare.

If they ever post their crap ride here it will be met with ire for sure.

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