Audi 100 Gives up the Ghost for Owner

[mark byrum <markbyrum@erols.com>]

Five weeks ago yesterday I was "T-Boned" on the driver's door in my 1990
Audi 100 (non-quattro).  I attempted to clear an intersection while
driving "Pearl" in order to allow a firebrick  with sirens and lights
going pass from behind me.  Unfortunately at the same time, a fellow
coming on the cross street to my left either decided to clear the
intersection by accelerating through it or tried to beat the light as it
was changing.  In either event, I was "T-Boned" on the driver's door at
approx. 40 to 50 mph ( the police officer investigating the accident
observed NO skid marks prior to impact - i.e. no brakes were applied).
I haven't seen "Pearl" since the accident, but those that have tell me
the driver's side door was displaced more than 1 foot and the driver's
seat was crushed in so that where my butt sat was less than 1 foot
wide.  Now there was a time when my butt was only that wide, but that
time has passed.  I survived (obviously - or no e-mail) with a fractured
pelvis (in 3 places), 4 broken ribs (left side), ruptured diaphragm and
spleen, collapsed lung (left side) and many bruises (left side -
including a Motorola Star-Tac cellophane holder bruise right on my left
hip).  The interior of the driver's door panel was straight and intact.
My wife's comment to me at the ICU after seeing the car was, "in the
future, we are buying nothing but Audi vehicles - that car saved your
life."  I agree.  USAA insurance gave my $5,500 for Pearl as a total
loss (109K miles).  I was satisfied with that figure.  Hurrah for side
door beams and for German engineering.  Now left with only 2 Audis, I am
recovering well and I remain
Very Truly Yours,
Mark W. Byrum, Jr.
markbyrum@erols.com