Video Captures 145 mph ‘Drag Race’ Explosion at Gas Station
- Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:10am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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From NBC New York:
Authorities arrested two men they say were drag racing down the Long Island Expressway at 145 mph just after midnight.
Both cars crashed right after exiting the expressway. One hit a gas pump and burst into flames. The other hit a fence.
One person suffered minor injuries.
A Suffolk sheriff’s officer used a laser speed gun to clock the cars as they sped on the westbound side at about exit 59.
New York’s CBS 2 adds the people in the exploding care are lucky to be alive:
“Car starting fire – that’s two seconds to get out of the car,” Kilinc told CBS 2′s Sean Hennessey. “One more second, maybe death.”
The other car, with a driver and a passenger, crashed to a halt in a Hooters parking lot across the road. Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department chief Michael Sharkey said his officer tagged the cars doing 145 mph. Every one, he said, got out alive.
“The others escaped without any serious injury. Any small change in circumstance could have resulted in a total disaster,” Chief Sharkey said.
The driver of the yellow Mitsubishi Lancer that stopped at Hooters was 21-year-old Jeff Browne. The driver of the car that crashed and started the fire was 20-year-old Joseph Skalka. He was held on $75,000 cash bail. His angry family and friends stormed out of the courtroom.
There were five friends involved in the scary incident, but only one minor injury – a concussion.
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Comments (76)
SilentReader
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 6:23pmHopefully they’ll get jail time, their licenses taken away for a couple of years, and a huge bill as well. At the very least.
Report Post »Russman
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 5:31pmStupid should hurt……………………
Report Post »Lt_Taz
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 4:00pmNot intending to slight the officer, but what is the logic of initiating a chase at the spped you have stated the offenders were driving, isn’t the radio a bit faster and could your cruiser even attain an equal or greater spaad? What is your department policy re. high speed chases?
Report Post »The Coming New World Order
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 6:07pmNot trying to knock your point, but standard cop cars in our state can do 165MPH plus. Some of the higher end cars can peak over 190MPH. But, that‘s Indiana lot’s of fast cars around here. lol
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 3:56pmI can’t believe these NASCAR drivers, got so far off the track without anyone noticing.
Where were the officials?
Report Post »The Coming New World Order
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 3:42pmAlways found it amazing that in our Nanny state (AKA US) that the government hasn’t put governors on all car to keep them at less than 80MPH. Typically I don’t like government interference, but I don’t see that as being excessive.
When I think back to my reckless years I am glad that my car topped out at 110. That was in a junk firebird, why do parents buy kids cars that are made to go that fast? If that is the EVO Lancer, it can hold it’s own against Corvettes. Just stupid…..PARENT’S DO NOT BUY SPORTS CARS FOR YOUR KIDS! KIDS ARE STUPID, I SHOULD KNOW I WAS ONE OF THEM ONCE.
Report Post »RedeyeBlind
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 3:28pmThe story and comments so far failed to mention the damage done to the station owner’s pumps and lost revenue. Just saying
Report Post »Eyeball
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 3:20pmI would force these guys to work extracating people from wrecked vehicles for a year. Lock them up for a couple of years and suspend their licenses for 5 years after they get out.
Report Post »lukeshop
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 3:15pmNBC New York – ( where this incorrect story came from ) – - Is obviously a stupid unacknowledged
Report Post »misinformed reporter regarding “Drag Racing”… High speed racing is certainly NOT drag racing..
I certainly don’t defend the idiots involved in this scenario – But – I hate to see this immediate reference
to drag racing… Drag racing is a very respectable professional sport – - And I hate to see every stupid
high speed accident immediately associated to drag racing… Get your facts right NBC……..
BlimpDude
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 4:09pmThank you Lukeshop couldn’t have said it better myself.
Support your local drag strip/racetrack and keep it off the streets.
Report Post »LSX
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 2:29pmStreet Racing is not Drag Racing – You guys at the Blaze should get your nomenclature correct or you’re no better than the HuffPo
*
Report Post »ronmorgen
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 1:43pmThe Neon may not be the car that was doing 145. Should be thankful he didn’t lose his life as well.
Report Post »lillianrose
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 1:08pmWanna race? Go on a racetrack!
Report Post »Nigel2
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:45pmIt obviously was not a stock Neon. Although they come standard with a 140 HP motor which gives them a fairly impressive HP to weight ratio. Enough to have much higher insurance rates than other sub compacts.
Problem is these stupid movies like Fast and furious, teach these kids to soup up these motors.
Report Post »docgreen
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:42pmThey both need to lose their Licenses for a few years and they need to work in the County Morgue! I suppose they didn’t know speeding was a crime! At this speed they could be brought on attempted manslaughter! They need to crack down on these kids!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:16pmThese two should face a manditory sterilization. They don’t need to breed.
Report Post »OUTRIDER WRITER
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:52pmWell stated. Best reply yet.
Report Post »DrEvo82
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:16pmFor the record, A Dodge SRT-4 will absolutely do 140mph+ especially if modified, my wife used to own one. The other looked appeared to be a Mitsubishi Evolution VIII which is what I own. It will go over 145mph stock. Both cars are turbocharged four cylinders, the Evo is AWD.
Report Post »randy
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:15pmI would not have shed a tear if all involved were killed. It surely would protect the innocent the next time these morons did it again.
Report Post »moreteaplease
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 1:11pmUhh…well if they had died then there wouldn’t be a next time for them to do this again…I think?
Just razzin ya :)
i
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:10pmMore info about an SRT-4 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_SRT-4
Report Post »fireinc
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 6:07pmYup, from link: “Car and Driver magazine achieved a maximum speed of 153 mph”
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:09pmMy Neon is rated at 113 MPH. Yes, a modified Neon can. It also may have been a SRT-4 which looks like a Neon but technically isn’t. Here is a link to an SRT-4 engine http://image.modified.com/f/17365870/0309_sccp_01_z+dodge_srt_4+engine_view.jpg
Report Post »Skipperdoodle
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:44amEven a modified Neon can’t go 145
Report Post »Contrarian51
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:45pmWanted those Hooters wings extra hot, I guess.
I‘m sure we’ll never know, but how much do you want to bet that there won’t be enough liability insurance coverage to cover all the damage to the station?
Where does the family get off being pissed about a measly $75,000 bail for this degree of stupidity and damage? Typical of the times. Everybody always has an argument or excuse for everything, even the unarguable and inexcusable.
Report Post »Contrarian51
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:48pmSorry, wasn’t meaning to reply to anyone, though I did start to say something about Skipperdoodle and the others missing the point of the story by arguing about whether the car was capable of the stated speed. The incident happened, the results are what they are.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 1:35pmCONTRARIAN
the coverage will be zero…….
they knowingly broke the law
that or they will cover the bystanders then come after the drivers for restitution
Report Post »Contrarian51
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 2:42pmNot necessarily. Read your auto insurance policy. I’ve been an adjuster for 31 years. Unless there’s an oddity in the state law that would change it, generally the policy will only exclude coverage if the damage was “expected and intended” from the standpoint of the insured (driver). In other words, to deny coverage the insurance carrier would have to be able to prove that the intent was to hit the gas station. Good luck with that. The more promising exclusion would be one that discusses “pre-arranged racing or timed competitions” but all these idiots have to do is say that this was a spur of the moment thing and that will be the end of that. I’ve handled cases like this and as distasteful as it it to have to cover bozos like this, the laws and the court precedents are geared against the insurance companies.
My expectation is that the policy, if these losers even have one (and that’s a big if in a case like this), will be for the state’s statutory minimum, say maybe $10K to $25K, and these damages are certainly going to crack 6 figures, so the gas station will have to turn to their own coverage, then their insurance carrier will be stuck trying to recover money direct from these idiots, and I doubt they’re sitting on a pile of cash.
Report Post »TheBees
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 3:14pmYes Skipperdoodle, a highly modified Neon will go 145! I’ve seen it happen! There’s nothing factory on that Neon! It’s not even a stock engine! I would say even the tranny is aftermarket. Only the chassis is stock.
Report Post »9thCommandment
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:38amGreat, becuase of these idiots gas prices just jumped another nickle. The Cop is probably super greatful the punks did not die, I am sure the morons families would have sued the city.
Report Post »gofigureinternational
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:32pmExactly! It is also not noted if these two had any priors, which is likely if they were at that speed. There is usually a history of some kind with street racers and ‘wanna be’s’.
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 1:20pmGas peddle stuck!
Report Post »El Jefe
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:36amThat’s a fast Neon…I knew it couldn’t be a Volt…lol
Report Post »Nov_2nd
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 1:28pmI think you are right. A volt does not have the range to drive down around long island. oh, btw- only 300 of them sold in February so it would beat the odds of seeing one anyway.
Report Post »MAJORMINOR
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:32amA Neon doing 145??? Must not be factory equipped.
Report Post »obama_binpharteen
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:38amI think they meant 14.5 mph.
Report Post »ozzie
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:50amHad one of those a few years ago- It is almost surely a turbo Neon variety made 2003-2005.
Almost as light as a vette and I had it up to 402 whp- I know some people that are well above that kind of power so I believe that they were going 145- factory limit is 156-7 and is gear limited, not electronically limited.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:52am“All night, all day, angels watchin’ over me, my Lord….”
Report Post »ozzie
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:52amforgot to mention that even with an upgraded suspension the car gets wobbly at that kind of speed- I would never have trusted mine to go that fast in a controllable fashion
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:53am@Ozzie -
Report Post »No argument from me!
GeneralBeasley
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:31amThat was cooler than then guy getting busted via youtube in his vett, come on people dont act like you have never raced someone before, then again i live in the middle of nowhere.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:31amThese youngsters were stupid in their actions and supremely fortunate in not having lost their lives and only in the destruction of the one vehicle. Doing 145mph in such a race is suicidal and reckless to the extreme.
I hope the reason the family and friends stormed out of the courtroom is due to the one’s actions and not the high bail rightfully set by the judge.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:28pmSnow I would be willing to bet the family and friends are mad at the system because the guy got caught.When they should be on their knees praying and thanking God they all lived thru this.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 1:49pm@Sissykatz
Most likely you are right; if I would have done something as reckless and stupid as this, between my dad, and my grandfather their would have been a fight to be the first one after my tushie.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on March 5, 2011 at 10:00amA few years ago, someone on one of our local highways rammed a gas pump and it didn’t end so well. They think he may have fallen asleep at the wheel. People saw it happen, but there was nothing anyone could do. Fortunately for them, the automatic shut off valve and suppressant foam took care of the fire, but the driver was dead on impact (I hope).
Report Post »expatinontariocanada
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:31amStupid is as stupid does.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:40amThey are looking for the Darwin Award!! They almost got it. Too bad.
Report Post »Skipperdoodle
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:43amA Dodge Neon can’t go 145 MPH. The cop needs to get his RADAR clibrated.
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:44amIndeed, and now I can see some of the headlines coming from this as well…
“Car for sale, Blazing fast and a hot deal…
Report Post »“Car for sale, slight body work needed…
“Uh, master yoda is going to be upset with me now…
ltb
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:05pmNo kidding Skipperdoodle. “Dodge Neon” and “145 MPH” are words you would never expect to see in the same sentence.
Report Post »Katydidnt
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:22pmThey are called “Pocket Rockets”. The guys take small cars and add strong engines, so they will really move. A normal Dodge Neon would not move that fast.
Report Post »Happy Killmore
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 1:11pmDodge used to make a “racing” Neon as part of it’s SRT line. It was called a Neon SRT-4 and those suckers can move.
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 1:16pm@Skipperdoddle and LTB
Mt thoughts exactly. I watching the video and when she said a Dodge Neon, I about lost my lunch.
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 3:55pmThis footage isnt nearly as cool as it is in the movies. two thumbs down.
Report Post »fritz982
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 4:22pmSkipperdoodle ……is correct, neither one of these cars even on the best of days can go this fast!
Report Post »As dangerous as this situation has become, most of the story is just plain make
Believe!
pajamash
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 4:35pmA recent Charlie Sheen quote fits:
“Boom! Winning!”
Or would that be…
“Winning…Boooooooooooom!”
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 4:49pmSkipperdoodle, that was my first thought too. Even if it were modified to be able to drive that fast I wouldn’t want to be in it.
Report Post »Enuff Zenuff
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 7:37pm.
Report Post »It’s New York, so they’ll probably be able to get all the charges dropped except for failure to buy enough carbon credits to cover the atmospheric damage.
REVerse
Posted on March 5, 2011 at 9:08amBuzz Bombs
Report Post »Porkins
Posted on March 5, 2011 at 9:26am@ Skipperdoodle – Your analysis is incorrect. The 2001-2003 Dodge SRT-4 was the second fastest product car Dodge made that year, only surpassed by the Viper. The 2.4L they slap into those cars are made by Mitsubishi, which they use in their Lancers. The SRT-4 is not toned down by any means and can be clocked doing 170 MPH from the showroom floor.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on March 5, 2011 at 9:57amThe driver of the car that crashed and started the fire was 20-year-old Joseph Skalka. He was held on $75,000 cash bail. His angry family and friends stormed out of the courtroom.
Amazing. The family was upset. I wonder if the gas station owner can sue in civil court for damages based on reckless endangerment?
I wonder what his girlfriend had to say?
Report Post »