My affair with Tundras started with this...

Hi. I'm stuck at home while we get new windows and doors installed in the house so I decided to write up what started my long term love affair with Tundras.

Way back when the first generation was made we bought a used one from a friend. My wife wanted it since she was an artist and taught classes at different stores and schools and needed to haul all her supplies around. One event she liked to teach at was in Las Vegas. When this came up, she would go by herself and I would take care of the kids at home (we were living in a house in Torrance, CA).

Well in 2005 she taught 3 classes in 2 days with her last class ending at 10pm. She was planning on leaving for home the next morning so we could pack, pick the kids up after school and hit the road for the kids first ski trip to Mammoth. Well, one of her students unexpectedly knocked on her room door at 4am and asked to take all her art projects home since they wouldn't fit in her suitcase on her flight home. My wife took them, tried to go back to sleep and after a couple hours gave up, checked out and left.

On Interstate 15, around Baker CA she fell asleep while driving. I got this information from the CHP officer who talked to a couple that was following her that morning. My wife dozed off going about 70 mph. She went off a 40 degree embankment and the truck rolled 4 times finally landing up right in a ditch. She woke up as the truck left the pavement but by then it was too late.

She crawled out of the truck and up the embankment. The couple behind her stopped and called CHP and waited with her till they arrived. I never got their names but am so grateful for their kindness. They towed the truck to a nearby gas station.

I got a call at work, frantically made arrangements for someone to pick up the kids after school and drove out to Baker. That was a terrible drive BTW. Between some panic attacks and prayers I didn't want to get in an accident myself. When I got there I was so happy! She wasn't hurt. No concussion or cuts. She only had some soreness from the shoulder belt and a bruise on her thigh. We then went to salvage anything from the truck.

My jaw dropped when I saw the Tundra. I just felt sick. Looking at the pictures brings back those feelings. We were amazed we found her wedding and engagement rings on the passenger side floor. She was wearing them and didn't even realize they had come off during the accident. An angel was look over her that day. That Tundra saved her life.

Once we got a settlement from the insurance we bought another Tundra. There was no question what we were going to replace it with.

 

Crazy story. I'm glad your wife walked away. It's always wonderful to see and hear stories about complete strangers who will stop to help regardless of their plans. Even if you never see them again you will always be thankful.

 

damn ! the pillars held up very well.

 

Man look at that! The cabin is fully intact! I can see why you have your love affair with Tundra. Glad she's OK and everything turned out well.

 

Glad to see your wife made it out OK. Falling asleep at the wheel is no joke. Only takes 1 second dozing off and it's a game changer. Someone was watching over her.

 

Holy.....this eerily parallels what happened to me in my 99 Tacoma. Fell asleep coming from classes, No seatbelts, going about the same mph and all I had was a busted lip.

Truck looks almost exactly the same post wreck

 

I'm familiar with those embankments you mentioned, they're no joke. Last time (spring break) through that area the whole highway came to a stop as 2 helicopters landed on the freeway to airlift people from a similar accident.

 

WOW,

Happy she was not hurt and happier she was blessed! God is great!

The name TUNDRA speaks for itself!

Thanks for the story as it may help others when driving in a situation as hers!

 

Glad your wife was ok! I've gotten that call before with my wife (girlfriend at the time). Scary stuff! She turned left right infront of an f-350 pulling a 35' fifth wheel, thought she had the green arrow but did not. Never been so panicked in my life. Drove as fast as I could to the hospital. She and everyone else were just fine but every vehicle including the camper was totaled.

 

Bingo we have a winner here.

 

Glad your wife was okay!

But look at that grill, not even a scratch!

That's the Toyota gods showing off their logo! Lol

 

Wow! Glad she is okay! I was in a roll over when i was 19 in an old Chevy pickup, horrible experience to say the least.

 

No words just so glad she is ok and seeing that Tundra... man it took a beating and wild she was alright.

 

Happy to see that your wife wasn't seriously hurt! That looks like that was quite a bad accident and fortunately your Tundra did well to protect her. Glad to see you two replaced her with another.

 

Dang man glad your wife is Ok .

 

Hmmm. I get all kinds of weird feelings reading this