A Really Wild Ride For Someone!

[Bailey Guns]

I was driving up the grade from Greer, ID along the Clearwater River valley on the north side of the river. I just happened to look across the valley in time to see what appeared to be a compact pickup truck fail to negotiate a switchback on a steep road on the other side of the valley.

The truck came to a stop a fairly short distance after leaving the roadway. I found a place to stop my truck, grabbed my phone and got out to try to get some video. The truck had started down the mountain again before I could get out of my truck and find a clear place to get photos/video. I watched thru the trees as the truck continued down the mountain. Quite a ways down it looked like it started to go out of control and looked to be sliding sideways. It never looked like it rolled. Once the truck got to a place where it met the road again I watched as the driver drove it, or just rode it out more likely, over the near-vertical embankment (looked to be about twice as high as the truck was long) to the roadway below. The truck looked like it hit the road front bumper first and fell over on to the driver side.

Apparently, though, it landed enough on it's wheels. Because after a short time it continued on down the hill (on the road this time), very slowly, until I couldn't see it any more. I tried to call 911 but didn't have service. I took these pics of the aftermath.

In the photos you can see the road with several switchbacks. The path of the truck is pretty clearly defined. Keep in mind it's a cell phone camera. Towards the lower left you can see where the tracks become wider and less distinct. That's where the truck looked to be sliding sideways. Then you can see where he went over the embankment to the road below. Pretty unbelievable sight to witness and I felt totally helpless watching it unfold...as if I could've done anything anyway. The mountainsides in these river valleys are incredibly steep and very rocky. It's nearly impossible in most places to walk straight up the side of the mountains.

I'm guessing a new pair of undies was in order after that ride.

[Irving]

Oh man. I've had some pretty tense moments on switch backs (would have rolled over from the start) and glad I never got to figure out how that feels. At least this person mostly kept it rolling on the wheels. They've got to have great story.





Wait, aren't you the one who once rode a front end loader, backwards, down an embankment while it was loaded onto a flatbed trailer?

[Bailey Guns]

No...that wasn't me. I rode a loaded propane truck backwards down a steep, icy driveway for about 150' once. Nothing on the driver side but air, and mountain on the other side. Luckily the truck hit the mountain instead of the air and stopped.

[theGinsue]

Ah man, give the guy a break. This wasn't an accident, this was just his regular shortcut down the mtn.

Okay, so I said that in jest, but in high school I had a friend who'd do exactly this sort of thing on purpose - in a '76 Monte Carlo. Made for some scarey rides with him.

[thebolt]

I saw a similar event above Empire (Colorado) while I was 4 wheeling about 30 years ago. A Jeep Cherokee was traversing some really deep snow on a hillside and he side down the hill sideways about 100 yards. It was really steep but the Cherokee never rolled over and it remained on it's wheels. It was horrible to watch it happen and I can't imagine what it was like inside the vehicle.

[GilpinGuy]

My guess is the first thing out of the drivers mouth was, "Give me some clean shorts please!"

[Irving]

My guess is the first thing out of the drivers mouth was, "Give me some clean shorts please!"

Having to call your wife on your way home and telling her to meet you at the front door with an empty contractors bag is a defining experience.

[rondog]

I hope someone was holding his beer.....

[drift_g35]

Must have been an old tacoma!

[Gman]

Ah man, give the guy a break. This wasn't an accident, this was just his regular shortcut down the mtn.

That's what I was thinking. He saved a bunch of time with that route.