An Atlanta area woman is lucky to be alive after an out-of-control Chevy Camaro struck her broken-down Chevy Cruze, knocking her off an overpass and causing her to fall nearly 30 feet to the street below.
According to a recent report from 11Alive, Leslie Reese was stranded on the shoulder of I-85 south above the intersection of Plasters Avenue NE and Armour Drive NE after her Chevy Cruze had overheated. Reese was standing on the shoulder next to her car, speaking to her roommate and asking for a ride, when the driver of a Chevy Camaro was seen racing another car down the highway, weaving in and out of traffic before losing control and slamming into Resse’s Chevy Cruze. The collision resulted in Reese being struck by the parked Cruze, sending her over the edge of the overpass and plummeting to the street below.
Image courtesy of 11Alive
Luckily, Reese survived the collision and fall. She was quickly taken to a nearby hospital and underwent surgery, suffering several broken bones. Thankfully, the incident did not lead to spinal or brain damage. Reese is now resting and is expected to be in for a long recovery.
Reese’s father, a former Atlanta firefighter, spoke with 11Alive, saying that his daughter was very lucky to survive the accident.
“She fell almost 30 feet off the bridge,” Reese’s father said. “The survival rate for that is not very good, not very good at all.”
Leslie Reese
According to the 11Alive report, the driver of the Chevy Camaro is being charged with reckless driving, too fast for conditions, failure to maintain lane, improper lane change, and serious injury by motor vehicle. The car itself looks totaled, with the front passenger’s side smashed to pieces where it struck the Chevy Cruze. The Cruze is also totaled, with the rear three quarters completely caved in.
Reese’s father says doctors expect it will be at least three months before his daughter can walk again. He recently launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses. He also had a message for the Chevy Camaro driver.
“Think about it. Think about it. You’ve ruined your life and you almost took my daughter’s life.”
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Comments
I’m sure glad she is OK. Then people think all Camaro’s are race cars. The track is the place to do stupid stuff. YES everybody does street races but with traffic around you have to be nuts. That’s why people race at night on the streets. I guess he didn’t die so he gets a second chance with less money to play with…
Do “stupid stuff” at a track and you won’t be driving there again; you’ll be banned.
God she’s lucky I’m glad she’s ok. That’s a big fall 30 feet. It’s crazy how wreck less some drivers are when they try to race in traffic.
Thank God she’s alive. That’s a nasty crash.
Dam the motor is cracked that one is not going to make it into a swap.
Not to mention “that WON’T buff right out” in either case.
I have been driving a long time, a retired police officer and have attended and taught driver safety and emergency driving courses, and I agree with JGinLA.
I avoid Atlanta if possible and always try to pick my pass thru to off peak traffic times if I can’t. I have seen so much craziness on I85 and the Atlanta loop. It is like death race. Not a comfortable piece of highway for sure.
I grew up driving in the Los Angeles basin, so am used to busy highways and streets. Atlanta is just incredible! Like you, if I have to go through, I try for off hours.
Whatever happened to slowing down and enjoying the scenery? Then the ride is better enjoyed and there is at least a possibility of being able to avoid a mess like this.