A mixture of snow and black-ice caused major accidents across the Mid-Atlantic yesterday, including a 30-car pileup in West Virginia. This dramatic video from a GoPro-enabled Mitsubushi Evo driver shows exactly how this accident (and accidents like it) happen. Warning! Completely-understandable NSFW language inside.
As is clear in the video, the primary accident's already occurred by the time the driver, Ishin Yamaha, arrives. There's a Chrysler minivan facing the wrong way in the corner of the shot and numerous cars just stopped.
A split-second later Yamaha in his modified Evo IX and the Ford Flex next to him realize what's coming. The former smartly pulls to the side instead of slamming on the brakes, doing only minor damage to his car. The driver of the Flex wasn't so lucky and crushes an Audi wagon.
Then an 18-wheeler goes barreling past, maybe hitting the car in front and maybe avoiding it. Ultimately, the crash shows the dangers of driving in those conditions and stopping in the middle of the road on the side of a snowy hill.
Why was Yamaha filming?
"I just happened to turn on the camera right in the beginning of this video, you can hear the music go off," he said in his YouTube posting. "I have to say that I'm really lucky to be in one piece."
Also luckily the car managed to stay in (mostly) one large piece.
(Hat tip to Chris!)