Florida Man Demolishes C5 Corvette On The Highway
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Thanks to a healthy combination of affordability, performance, and availability, the fifth-generation of the Chevy Corvette – colloquially known as the C5 Vette – is often the go-to sports car for those on a budget. Unfortunately, this combination means that C5 Corvette’s can end up in the hands of irresponsible owners, and now, a Florida Man crashed his 2001 Corvette on the interstate.
Taking place in Pasco County, Florida, a report from WFLA news say that the driver of this C5 Vette was traveling at high speeds on I-75 when he struck a guardrail. Officials say that the 18-year-old driver lost control of his Vette while speeding, swerved to the inside shoulder, struck a guardrail, and slid across three southbound lanes before finally coming to a rest on the west shoulder.
An 18-year-old girl was also present in the C5 Corvette at the time of the accident.
Judging by the photos, the Florida Man appears to have been traveling at exceptional speeds. While the basic shape of the cabin is intact, that’s about all that remains of the original vehicle, as the hood and rear hatch have been thrown off. In fact, the 5.7L V8 LS1 engine, along with bits of the exhaust, was ripped out of the engine bay and thrown across the interstate. Additionally, pieces of fenders and even a wheel are scattered all over the roadway.
According to officials, both occupants were airlifted to a local hospital with serious injuries. It’s worth noting that they were both wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
This should go without being said, but even so, GM Authority would like to remind and urge our readers to pay attention on the road and abide by all traffic laws. Save the antics for the closed road course, as the potential consequences just aren’t worth the risk.
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Wow. At first glance and the header picture, “That’s a Corvette eh, I’d have never known” What a mess. And thankfully, At Least, they lived to tell about their (mis)adventure lol.
Early nominee for the 2023 Darwin Award .
There is no mention of their living. If you know more let us know.
“Both occupants were airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries. They were both wearing a seatbelt.”
There is no mention of them living.
18 years old …. or should we say …. young !!!
Legal….
Looks like a Fiero
I know what’s wrong with it …it ain’t got no gas in it!!!!
It is not just C5. How many C7 and 8’s have we seen totaled and people dead.
There are just people in general that get in over their heads.
Another lucky idiot.
On the other hand my uncle still has his C3 and drives it often. Never a problem with it except when it needed repainted about 30 years ago due to oxidation and the t-tops being stolen overnight in the parking lot of the pd station he worked at.
I always wondered how to change out the rear speaker behind driver.
Now I know. (see picture).
Rapid Unplanned Disassembly , a RUD, as SpaceX or NASA would say.
All those parts being ripped out probably saved them. Each takes energy away from the occupants.
I noticed some blood on the driver air bag, I hope nobody has any life altering injuries.
Good ol’ I-75 near Tampa Bay. Half the time it’s a parking lot, the other half it resembles the Autobahn.
‘Tis but a scratch!
We can buff that out!
That should rub out.
Holy Crap! After seeing all of this damage and what used to be a C5 Corvette, I went out into my garage and hugged my C5 just to make sure it knows that I’d never, ever do something so damn stupid! This 18 year old shouldn’t have been behind the wheel of any car let alone a 170 MPH capable Corvette! You might as well given the idiot a loaded 357 Magnum and told him not to point it at anything and do not pull the trigger! Yeah right….same end result, possible death & destruction can occur if mishandled or used improperly! Obviously, this clown was well passed the Century Mary on the speedo, and being young and stupid (although you can be any age and stupid) he damn near made a fatal mistake and worse yet, another 18 year old was in the car too, Day-Am! Oh well, one less C5 to ever see the road again or end up with a for sale sign in in the window….or even for a spare parts project vehicle cause “there ain’t nutt’in left to sell”! Sheesh!
A recipe for disaster . an 18 idiot driving a corvette. Thank god my first car was something safe a 65 HP Chevy Vega
It now qualifies for an “R” title.
Never try that in a FERRARI or PORCHE.
2001 ZO6
Millennium Yellow.
Memory Package.
Electrochromic Mirrors.
Museum Delivery.
Total Vehicle Price
$48,875.00
Note how well the frame and structure around the cockpit held up. These are very strong cars in structure. The body may fly off but you are protected ion the cage.
Looking at the lead photo, I first thought it was a Fiero!
“C5 Vette – is often the go-to sports car for those on a budget. Unfortunately, this combination means that C5 Corvette’s can end up in the hands of irresponsible owners,” I would suggest the writer of this article choose his words more carefully. The idea that only people on a budget are irresponsible or even more irresponsible is questionable. It seems there are many stories of those with new high performance cars destroying them also. Foolish driving is not limited to “those on a budget” However, age, would certainly be a factor in many instances, I would guess. And, you don’t need a corvette to drive fast and foolishly and get in a wreck. I have proven that myself in my younger days.
It figures..you allow a CLOWN to drive this beautiful corvette…this was bound to happen!!! PUTZES like this have NO RESPECT for such power!!!!!
I think Putz and clown is harsh. This was a teanager without much driving experience showing off to his girl. If they live a lesson has been learned.
“…driver of this C5 Vette was traveling at high speeds on I-75…”
No, not Florida…smh. Before I even read the article, I predicted it was on I-75 somewhere between Lake City and Fort Myers. Every time I visit the in-laws in Punta Gorda, that stretch of road is either a parking lot or the unofficial practice strip for the Gatornationals. Even traveling along at 85mph, I get passed like I am standing still…barely any cops around. You definitely need to check your mirrors twice before making a lane change or someone else’s engine will be in your backseat.
Well at 18 years old I pray these “kids” are still living and haven’t suffered lifelong disabilities. How awful in soo so many ways. Seems MANY PEOPLE need to be properly taught and tested in driving. I don’t feel ENOUGH is done in Florida to keep our roads “safe” to drive on! It’s just horrible. 75 is a nightmare either you have the idiots who speed way to fast, those who either don’t use their blinkers or use them too late, those who start to change lanes BEFORE looking to see if it’s TRULY clear (blind spots so wait a couple seconds and Ck again first) or those who just don’t FIRST. AND let’s not forget about those who need to merge on; sometimes you need to wait because it’s not clear to do so. I mean if there are a lot a cars one in the right lane may not be ABLE to move over for you or they didn’t feel it was safe enough to do so, so you don’t speed up you f*’in WAIT! people also need to be look ahead and give those who need to move over for a cop or what not and let them. Just because you may be in the middle of far left lane doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take heed to the matter. Then when in your lane drive straight down the middle of it this swerving many do is unnerving and unnecessary. Last but not least of my “b*@#$*” the safe distance RULE! I can’t stand those who don’t! Common RESPECT people. I don’t like cops all over the roads, I’m not perfect EITHER BUT I TRY! I think if more tickets were given out for these such infractions with steeper penalties, our roads would become a bit safer to drive on. I am not trying to ruin anyone’s ability of living and I want the same respect back. It’s just right.