Work Break: Three Stranger-Than-Fiction Stories About People and Their Cars

By Alex Perdikis

From the time they were invented, people shared their lives with cars. And, nearly everyone has at least one story to tell about an adventure, mishap or even heartwarming experience that somehow involved a car. Here are a few stories to make your day.

Wait – It’s Not Mine?

Daryl loved his 1994 Ford Ranger. After a late night shopping stop at Walmart, he walked to his pickup truck in the parking lot, unlocked the door, got in, and drove away. As he drove, Daryl had a funny feeling. Something wasn’t right.

Pulling over into a parking lot, Daryl really looked at the interior. It was tan, not gray. The dash was different. On the outside, this truck looked exactly like his. But, there was no denying it — he had inadvertently stolen someone else’s truck.

 

“In a panic, Daryl drove back to Walmart and had customer service page the owner. After explaining what happened, Daryl showed the owner how the key for his 1994 Ranger also fit the owner’s 1995 Ford Ranger.” — Alex Perdikis


All was forgiven, and Daryl went home a bit shaken, but relieved.

How many times have you walked up to a vehicle in a parking lot and thought it was yours?

Not the Easiest First Day on the Job

Birmingham, Alabama, college student Walter Carr was supposed to start a new job. The night before he was supposed to report for work, his car broke down. Instead of calling in, he decided to walk. Walter left home at midnight and walked 20 miles in four hours before a couple of police officers drove him the rest of the way.

Many people, including his new boss, were moved by Walter’s dedication. A GoFundMe account was set up on Walter’s behalf. And, soon after, the CEO of the company he worked for presented Walter with a 2014 Ford Escape.

Nowhere to Hide

Impaired driving is no laughing matter. A lack of judgment, slower reflexes and uninhibited behavior result in accidents and injuries every day. Fortunately, this case merely proves how ridiculous an impaired driver’s thinking really is.

It was the holiday season. An impaired driver in North Yorkshire in the UK crashed his Mini Cooper into a metal barrier. Rather than running from the police, the driver decided to hide. He chose a Nativity scene display complete with Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus and hay. And, that’s where police found him — buried in the hay.

Accident Excuses You Won’t Believe

Police officers and insurance agents hear every accident excuse in the book. Here are a few of the funniest excuses from the drivers themselves:

  • I pulled into the driveway of the wrong house on my way home and hit a tree I don’t have.
  • I tried to stop my car from skidding by hitting another car.
  • I backed out of my driveway and hit a bus. The bus was 10 minutes early.
  • I don’t know who is at fault. I wasn’t looking.
  • The cause of the accident was me waving to the man I hit last week.

 

Alex Perdikis, Koons of Silver Spring general manager and owner, lives in Chevy Chase with his wife and daughters.