I had taken the roofrack off my car a few nights before as I had to work in Cheyenne for a few days and the car is much easier on gas without it, plus I dislike leaving the Ecto-1k in a parking lot in conservative redneck Wyoming.
As I was driving up College Ave. through Old Town, a woman in front of me in a red honda was desperately searching for a parking spot. She finally found one and slammed on her brakes to take the spot. I was travelling under the speed limit, as I like to give everyone a good look at the car, so I came to a complete stop. I looked in my rearview mirror and saw the grill of a 10-wheeler semi truck not stopping. The last thing that went through my head was “This is gonna suck.” At the last second the driver of the semi turned right, putting the left front corner of his truck right into the back of the Ectomobile, punching a hole in my car.
When I looked back up, there was melting snow dripping into the car.
Long story short, the rear hatch is fused to the frame, the frame is bent, both rear quarters of the body are split and smashed and the bumper is totally gone. Adjusters quoted it as being nearly $6000 for repairs, effectively totalling the car.
Five months of work, gone five days before fruition on Halloween.
Oh well.
Local radio stations and fans of the car are willing to help donate, so I may be able to take the insurance money I get from the truck drivers company to buy a newer Outback. So we will be back, I guarantee it.
We grieve, but we do not despair.