The 5 Most Horrific Car Accidents in History
Can you believe it’s been almost two decades since Princess Diana died in a tragic car accident?
In trying to avoid the paparazzi, the black 1994 Mercedes-Benz S280 they were riding in crashed into the 13th pillar of the Pont D’Alma tunnel.
Of course, as shocking as Diana’s death was, there were other horrific car accidents that still haunt people to this day.
Here are five of the most awful car accidents ever recorded in history. We hope they convince you to drive safely.
1. I-75 Fog Zone Accident – 1990
In a previous post, we talked about how important it is to avoid distractions while driving. However, there are some distractions you can’t avoid.
On the morning of December 11, 1990, a dense fog formed formed on Interstate 75 near Calhoun, Tennessee.
This thick and heavy fog killed 12 people and left 42 injured. To this day, the I-75 fog zone accident remains as one of the worst traffic accidents not just in Tennessee but in all of the United States.
2. Ayrton Senna’s Final Race – 1994
You can’t be a fan of F1 and not know about Ayrton Senna. The three-time world champion veered off the track and slammed into the crash barriers at the San Marino Grand Prix on May 1, 1994.
According to GulfNews.com, Senna was one of the last remaining drivers to have perished in a Grand Prix. The most recent was Jules Bianchi, who died from serious head injuries in 2015.
3. Autobahn Crash – 2009
If someone gets into a car accident today, the most one could hope for is that it won’t involve a pile-up.
On July 19, 2009, one of the most horrific car accidents occurred in Braunschweig, Germany.
259 vehicles were involved in the crash, which left 65 people injured. What caught motorists unaware were heavy rains, which were suddenly followed by blinding sunshine. To clear the carriageways and attend to the wounded, more than 350 firemen plus emergency service workers were called to the scene.
4. Paul Walker’s Fatal Car Crash – 2013
Paul Walker, best known for his role in the “Fast & Furious” movies, died on November 30, 2013. Based on the coroner’s report, the actor died after the Porsche he was riding in struck a tree and burst into flames.
It was a case of speeding gone wrong. The driver, Roger Rodas, who was the actor’s friend and financial adviser, was going over 100 mph when he lost control of the vehicle. It hit a tree then a light post and burst into flames.
Walker was still filming Fast & Furious 7 when the accident happened. He was only 40 years old.
5. Viola Beach Band Crash – 2016
All four members of the English indie rock band Viola Beach died after their car crashed in Södertälje, Sweden on February 13, 2016.
As far as horrific car accidents go, this is one case where the cause of the tragedy may never be known.
Autopsy results reveal that none of the members had taken drugs. The inquest also shows that while the car was moving slightly over the speed limit, the car was traveling in a controlled manner.
There was also nothing wrong with the car, barrier system, or even the protocols for raising the bridge.
Six months after the crash, the band scored a number one album, outselling ELO’s All Over The World and The Very Best Of.
Can Horrific Car Accidents Be Avoided?
No one knows for sure when an accident will occur. The best we can do is to follow safety tips to prevent accidents.
Never put yourself — or someone else — at risk when you get behind the wheel of a vehicle. You don’t want to end up on a list like this in the future.
If you want to learn more about how to stay safe on the road, feel free to browse our blog. We also write about the latest news for car enthusiasts.