Edgy01

DALLAS – Texas billionaire and philanthropist Charles Wyly, whose family donated millions of dollars to Republican causes and Dallas arts projects, has died after a car accident in western Colorado, authorities said. He was 77.
Wyly, who maintained a home near Aspen, Colo., was turning onto a highway near the local airport when his Porsche was hit by a sport utility vehicle Sunday, the Colorado State Patrol said in a statement. Wyly died at Aspen Valley Hospital.


http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/08...illed-in-colo/

LastMezger

That's unfortunate. One of the primary reasons I sold the 964...wasn't willing to have my wife and son in it in the face of the huge cars on the road...

Edgy01

I wish I knew which Porsche he was in at the time. Several of the newest ones fair well against some pretty big stuff. But the older stuff is absolutely no match for any SUV. It's hard to beat mass.

KeninBlaine

It appears to be this one.

http://jalopnik.com/5828657/dallas-b...-porsche-crash

I wonder why they didn't label it as a Freestyle crash, since the Freestyle hit him.

Carrara

^^ STFU

R.I.P Wyly. And from the picture on Jalopnik it looks to be an SC Targa. Those damn SUVs. Everybody thinks bigger is safer when the truth is if all new cars weren't as fat heavy and as bloated as they are we'd all be safer.

Edgy01

I had a very good friend die in a similar vintage 930 (1985), when a semi rolled on top of him. Today's 911s are tougher.

Who is rolex11 and what is his problem? Another 'user'

DLennox

That's just wrong on every level!

ADias

I'm sorry to see you coming out as a hater, and wishing someone (or a group) to die.

alexb76

The problem is that no matter how safe our cars are, for WHATEVER REASON most of the vehicles on the road are SUVs or trucks having higher center of gravity, so what happens in a crash is that a lower sports car get crushed under those cars hence not very safe in general. The same accident with a sedan would definitely not be as devestating.

I beleive there are some regulations to make sure SUVs have a lower front not to cause such carnage... hope it expands to all modes. Can someone explain to me the whole fascination with SUVs and trucks in North America? I REALLY cannot understand it... even my girlfriend says she WANTS an SUV, because it's higher?! like what does that add to driving experience is beyond me...

@Rolex11, as much as I hate republicans (more the Tea Party), I can NEVER wish someone harm... your statement is just ridicolous and doesn't belong here. Please go visit another forum, you're not welcome here!

DLennox

The article I read said the other vehicle was a Ford Freestyle. This isn't a big SUV, it looks more like a tall station wagon. This doesn't appear to be the big bad truck vs sports car scenario, more like he was t-boned the way that gave the worst results.
I feel for the family and for those who may no longer benefit from his generosity.

Mike in CA

Glad to see the original post by rolex11 has apparently been deleted. Regardless of political persuasion that was uncalled for. My condolences to the family of the man mentioned in Dan's OP.

jcnesq

Sad to see an enthusiast die in what obviously was a favorite Porsche.

I have to admit I feel very vulnerable when I drive my 356, just not much protection at all.

Bonster

I hate to say it, folks, but it doesn't matter what YOU drive -- it matters what the other guy is driving, the circumstances, etc.. Every day we are at our maker's mercy. I just hope today is not your day. RIP, Mr. Wyly. Colin McRae once said, "We are here for a good time, not for a long time." I hope everyone here has a good time while they are still among us. Even the ones who can't resist bringing politics into a very tragic accident. And like I said, it can happen to any of us, in any vehicle, at any time -- enjoy life to its fullest while you can.

allegretto

I'm a little confused;

he was struck in the driver's side while making a L turn. The Freestyle must have been traveling from his L on the road he was turning on to??

No charges/tickets?

Perhaps Mr Wyly was at a stop sign and somehow lost track of the Freestyle and turned in front him/her?

With that kind of impact I can't see an easy way for it to have been the Freestyle's fault.

997_rich

perhaps in the left lane waiting to make a left turn (maybe even initiating that turn) and struck from the rear/pass side by concurrent traffic, the accident turning the porsche from 45 degrees to 90 to the ford at stop.