Jimmy G Walks away from crash

Just a couple of days ago NPN member Jimmy Gekas fish-tailed out of control in his 4-Runner on a wash-board road in the mountains near Ridgway, CO. He went over the embankment, rolled 4 times coming to rest upside down some 125+ft down the steep hill.

Miraculously, he WALKED AWAY from the crash with a few cuts and bruises. He's got the vehicle recovery on Youtube and gave permission to post this here.

Jimmy wants to pass along to others: BE SAFE OUT THERE!!
He could have just as easily not survived this or have been seriously injured.

Glad you're still with us Jimmy!

Wow. I'm glad that you are okay Jimmy!

Bless his heart. What a blessing he is OK. I'll be up there this weekend and am thankful for the warning.

Holy fishizzle! That vehicle is absolutely demolished, he's damn lucky to be alive! Jimmy, I hope you bought some lottery tickets on the way home. So glad you're okay!

Wow - glad you were able to walk away from that. I actually was perusing his photos earlier today as he is the featured gallery on photoportfolios.net and honestly wouldn't have recognized the name otherwise. I guess it's been a lucky month for Jimmy.

Wow is right, glad to hear you're ok Jimmy. That looks like a real doozy.

Wow, glad to hear he is ok. I was just shooting Swami's this evening, an area I learned about from his posts here.

Unbelieveable that you walked away from that Jimmy! What a wild ride that must've been

I think Jimmy has used up all his personal luck for a while. But was his camera gear okay?

JImmy! Good grief, man! That car, and a lotta luck, saved your life. The video was a powerful testimony to your amazing survival. So glad you're still with us.

Unbelievable, Jimmy! Good to hear you're OK.

I know the feeling all too well. During a photo trip out west back in '05, I flipped and totaled my truck in New Mexico. I walked away as well with little more than a concussion.

It's a miracle you walked away from that, Jimmy! Looks like the 4Runner held up pretty darn good, considering what it went through. Glad everyone is okay!

Jimmy,

That makes a great safety reminder video. Thanks for sharing.
Glad to hear you were able to walk away from it.

What did you have your camera gear packed in? Obviously it wasn't sitting out on the passenger seat.

I'm glad Jimmy is ok, a close call. I like Toyota products and presently own two of them (2009 Tacoma and 2010 Lexus RX350). I have also owned an '83 Pickup, a '95 Celica, and an '88 4-Runner. I test drove one of these 4-Runners in 1999 when they were on sale new, same color even. I drove it on a gravel road a few km, did some moderate maneuvers and returned it. It was way too easy to fish tail it and loose control. You see a lot of them for sale with histories of roll overs. I played hockey with a guy who rolled his on two separate occasions. He also survived, but I just think they are inherently dangerous (especially pre 2001 without VSC or brake assist) unless driven like you are a little old lady (no disrespect if you are short, female and elderly).

I have been pulling people out of wrecks like this for 20 years and I just wanted to pass on how glad I am that you're not in critical condition or worse. God must have other plans for you. I pray you're able to find out what that is...

Peace,
Mike

Very scary. Amazing that you survived, and glad you did in such good shape.

Thanks everyone for all the kind words and concern. I had a chest x-ray today and it revealed nothing at all.... not one broken or fractured rib, no punctured lungs, no fluid anywhere. Indeed I was extremely lucky and blessed.

Interesting what Gary had to say about the 4Runner and fishtailing. Maybe my next one will have to be a 2001. Hmmmm.

Thanks again and safe travels.

Jimmy,

I am glad you were not injured! Thanks for letting us know you're OK!

--P

Glad you're OK Jimmy. A lesson for all of us.

That was a nasty crash. So glad to hear that you are ok. Take care, Jimmy.

Wow Jimmy, you are sooooo very lucky to be talking about it. Geez! I have a 2000 4Runner and I have never liked how it handles on some of the rough logging roads I go on OR on our frost heaved roads for that matter. That video just tells me to be extremely careful. The audio of the video said more than the video itself. (No pun intended.)

Jimmy, good to hear you're OK. Be careful out there (and keep the shiney side up)!

Jimmy, Glade you're ok. 8 more lives to go... take care. Best Regards.

Thank the Lord you were not hurt, holy smokes batman, that is one heck of crash!

Interesting Gary you bring up the runners fishtale, Now I have a 01 4-runner, and would not change it for the world, well maybe a Land Rover Disco, but that is about all. In 2 wheel drive, I have fishtaled going around corners on gravel roads. Once I drop it into 4wheel, I do not fishtale what so ever. Plus the tires I have make a huge difference. Anyone who has street tires on a 4runner, I highly recommend you put some off road tires on there, it makes all the difference in the world. I have tried and tested my runner from street tires to mud terrains, and the difference is like night and day. But, the one thing that makes me nervous, is roll-over, because the Runner is very lightweight vehicle. But, I do not speed at all.
God Bless you Jimmy, and thankfully no injuries!

Hey Mike...

I was in 2wd and had good tires... not the beefy BFG all terrain, but similar and not highway only tires. I wasn't speeding, so just one of those times that I fishtailed in the wrong place on a washboard section of the road. I am looking into the 2001 Runners now, as they have that VSC option. Not sure, but maybe if I was in 4wd, the accident would not have happened. I know, it's just a car, but I really liked it I am alive and doing well. Each day is a beautiful day for me.

My friend God was watching over you. I know, I love my runner, but they are a light vehicle, and in 2wd, I think it is no different than a car. But 4wd helps a great deal in these rigs. I completely re-did my suspension for off road and it handles 10-fold more than stock. I love it, and has done me great everywhere I have been, plus, I can sleep in it. On the VSC option, I actually disable it when I am wheeling cause I have control, and not the computer. I use it on gravel roads, but out in the mud, I disable the function, but it works well in certain situations and terrain.

Glad you are okay.

Holy crap! When you panned from the vehicle up the hill, I could see how far you rolled. Amazing you walked away. Glad you're here.

thanks for sharing, and thanks for sticking around. That was as close as one might get to leaving this place. So glad for you. Appreciate your work tremendously. Walking On.

Wow ... that's a miracle indeed. Great to see you unharmed and safe, Jimmy.