Craziest thing I've ever seen on the road. Coming home on I 57 this afternoon, I was a few carlengths behind a semi, rolling up to pass. Suddenly, smoke began pouring off the roof of the trailer. This smoke was actually red, and you don't see red smoke often. I gassed it, pulling alongside the truck, honking, waving and pointing. By now I could see flames pouring off the roof of the trailer. The driver got the message, braked, and pulled toward the shoulder.
I was a few carlengths ahead at this point. All traffic behind must have stopped. The truck was still rolling about 40 mph or so when the sides burst, spewing fire all over the highway and both shoulders. The grass in the ditches on both sides caught fire immediately. No sooner had the truck stopped, then the trailer frame snapped in half, separating the 5th wheel hitch from the rear wheels, and pouring flaming material everywhere! The driver was out and running as I dialed 911.
It took less than a minute more for the cab of the truck to catch fire. Thick red, purple and green smoke had all four lanes stopped due to zero visibility. I made sure the driver was all right, then got my ass out of there! This whole scene took less than three minutes from first smoke to complete engulfment. Absolutely unbelievable....
You do realize you probably saved the guys life? Wow...surreal...
QuoteYou do realize you probably saved the guys life? Wow...surreal...
Hadn't really considered that. Yeah, whatever. Chalk it up to the years I spent as a CCS corner worker. That is some SERIOUS training for how to react when things get ugly. A few years on the corners and stuff like that doesn't phase you in the least. If a corner worker doesn't have at least one grinding, steaming, flaming yard sale in his corner per day, it almost wasn't worth getting out of bed.... :-X
Oh boy,
Sounds like premonitions of the Formula 40 race this weekend...maybe I should stay home :o
QuoteOh boy,
Sounds like premonitions of the Formula 40 race this weekend...maybe I should stay home :o
Gingerman IS a certain submarine commander's home track....
What the heck was he hauling?
QuoteWhat the heck was he hauling?
Something flammable. ;D
QuoteWhat the heck was he hauling?
Extra hot beef jerkey! ;)
Cool! :D
Glad everything seemed to work out with no harm to anyone. Imagine being next to this thing and having it blow up like that... yikes!!!
That could explain why 57 was a stopped when I walked out of work yesterday around 4:30. Our parking lot is about 100 yards away from 57.
Where about was the accident Chris? North or south of the Monee exit?
Good going warning the guy K3! ;)
I really need to carry a white-board in my vehicles.
A quick drawing of a semi on fire and the words "YOU'RE ABOUT TO DIE" would make quite an impact...
Then again so do these:
http://www.roadragecards.com
QuoteThen again so do these:
http://www.roadragecards.com
LMAO...gives me an idea for pit board signs ;D
We should sell undertail stickers Jeff! You know, something like: NICE BIKE but YOU STILL SUCK
;D
I have this patch somewhere. I used to have it on my old black leathers...
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackjackinc.com%2FProductImages%2Fihb%2Fstickers%2Fihb_sticker_sucksad_b.jpg&hash=78516bbbbc7ca37ed4847cfcf02cc6e547934dcc)
That could be a great advertising tool for Dave!
QuoteThat could be a great advertising tool for Dave!
Team Suck Racing.......leading the region in lacking of talent, fitness, form & technology.
Remeber our motto: "If it wasn't for us slow guys, you fast guys wouldn't have anything to brag about"
Alt motto: "Stickin it to ya! Every time you lap us!!!"
QuoteAlt motto: "Stickin it to ya! Every time you lap us!!!"
HEY! I resemble that comment ;)
Seriously though, that is one of my goals when I'm out there (not to be lapped more than once :P)