Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams is thankful to be alive after an accident that totaled his brand-new Corvette C8 Stingray just days before Christmas.
In an interview with Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the 23-year-old rookie expressed gratitude after walking away uninjured from the crash, recalling the incident after another motorist failed to yield the right of way and collided with Williams, demolishing the driver’s side of the mid-engine sports car.
The front end of a Corvette C8 Stingray belonging to Dallas Cowboys defensive end, Sam Williams, after the vehicle was involved in an accident in December 2022
“All I remember is that previous car went by really fast without yielding,” Williams told Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “And then I was driving straight, I guess another car went and I looked over and I was getting hit from the side driver side. And I just held on real tight to the steering wheel and tried to brace myself.”
Once the car came to a rest, Williams quickly exited the vehicle after onlookers said the car was smoking.
“Once I got out everybody had their phones out and was like ‘there’s no way you lived that. There is no way you lived that.’”
Footage from the scene reveals that the entire driver’s side flank of Williams’ C8 Corvette was torn away by the impact. Williams and onlookers attempted to open the door of the Infiniti QX60 involved, but the door was jammed, leaving it up to the fire department to open the door and free the 71-year-old driver from inside.
Images from crash involving Cowboys’ Sam Williams.
From Plano PD: “The driver of the Corvette is Samuel Williams, a football player with the Dallas Cowboys. Both parties were transported to a local hospital for precautionary reasons, but no serious injuries have been reported.” pic.twitter.com/81CBkIUnqA
— Jeff Kolb (@JeffKolbFOX4) December 23, 2022
Following the incident, Williams and the other driver involved were taken to the hospital for precautionary purposes. Williams later said that the accident put Christmas and his family into perspective.
“I was thinking about my son and his mom. I could have been gone like that fast without seeing them and saying goodbye or anything,” Williams said.
“I think I was like five to six minutes from my house. I look back over at the accident and I am just thankful for life,” the Dallas Cowboys star added.
Although Williams woke up Saturday well enough to play against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys elected to keep him on the bench as a precaution. Williams has since been cleared and is set to play against the Tennessee Titans.
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Comments
this sounds different from many stories about C8 accidents.
Happy Safe New Year to everyone.
right or wrong, another testament to the safety of the C8.
I still wish my C8 had forward active radar so it warned of objects and slowed
down when on cruise control when approaching slower traffic.
something my other 6 year old car has, and my new motorcycle.
Safety is important.
I drive with the point of view, everyone else is trying to hit me, they do not see me.
This comes from 40 plus years of motorcycle riding.
I hope the 71 year old is ok.
Sometimes, we cannot control the events. And true accidents happen.
Be safe everyone. Wishing you the best.
I hear you. I also owe my defensive driving habits to 55+ years of motorcycle riding (I’m 75), but still appreciate the driver protection in my C8. Hopefully will never have to rely on it. Glad all are OK.
That is what my dad taught me when I first learned to drive, defensive driving! Wish more people took that approach to driving!
I say distracted driving is the culprit most times. Speeding and following too close are another. We should not allow phones to work inside cars. If you need to call , stop and get out to talk.
Quebec’s Highway Safety Code stipulates drivers are prohibited from “using” a cellphone while driving. The infraction carries a penalty of five demerit points and a fine between $300 and $600.
My moto since I started driving is ” Slow down you will get there faster”. Works all the time.
Isn’t it a shame that on average, defensive driving and offensive driving use to be 50% offence and 50% defense. Nowadays it’s more like 20% offensive and 80% defensive. What changed? Can’t even imagine riding a motorcycle anymore. 95% defensive 5% offensive. Hard to enjoy the ride anymore.
My C7 saved me in an accident, too. You should have seen the front of the truck that hit me broadside! Totaled both vehicles and I’m glad we all survived.
I hope I never get involved with my C8.
I’m thankful you all made it out safely.
Happy New Year!
Kudos to the C8 designers for safety elements incorporated. Glad all parties are physically well. Mental trauma from a crash such as this can be rattling.