LA MARQUE, Texas, Nov. 13, 2009

Pelican Forces Bugatti into Salt Marsh

Texas Driver Blames Low-Flying Bird for Distracting Him as He Sinks Million-Dollar Sports Car into Pond

  • In this Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 photo, wrecker driver Gilbert Harrison, with MCH Towing, attaches a towing cable to a Bugatti Veyron that was driven into the water near Omega Bay in La Marque, Texas.

    In this Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 photo, wrecker driver Gilbert Harrison, with MCH Towing, attaches a towing cable to a Bugatti Veyron that was driven into the water near Omega Bay in La Marque, Texas.  (AP Photo)

(AP)  Police say a low-flying pelican distracted a driver in Texas, causing him to veer off a road and drive his million-dollar sports car into a salt marsh.

La Marque police Lt. Greg Gilchrist says the man claimed he lost concentration while driving his French-built Bugatti Veyron on Wednesday because the bird swooped into sight. Gilchrist says the driver dropped his phone, reached down to pick it up and strayed into the brackish water in La Marque, about 35 miles southeast of Houston.

Gilchrist does not know if the car can be salvaged but said that "salt water isn't good for anything."

He says the man, whose identity has not been released, was not injured in the accident.


Police say a low-flying pelican distracted a driver in Texas, causing him to veer off a road and drive his million-dollar sports car into a salt marsh.
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by Heartlight November 16, 2009 10:00 AM EST
Another clown yakking on the phone! Will people ever wake up? Bye-Bye Bugatti!
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by weewillywonka November 16, 2009 10:00 AM EST
Don't blame the pelican - he wasn't bird-watching - he was talking on his blankety-blank cell phone.
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by nordeck52 November 16, 2009 9:51 AM EST
This story amuses me. So much for that million-dollar car!
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by beachplant November 16, 2009 7:52 AM EST
He had to leave the freeway, go down a slight slope, across the feeder, across another little grass strip and THEN into the water. On a straight, flat, smooth highway. On a clear, sunny day.
Speeding and yakking on the phone.
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by justsane-2009 November 15, 2009 9:35 PM EST
"Pelican Forces Bugatti into Salt Marsh" what a stupid azz headline! here's one that would be closer to the truth: "Moron Drops Phone: Drives Million-Dollar Car Into Marsh"

no charge (but if you're looking for a new editor, i'm available.)
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by crikeytx46 November 15, 2009 5:32 PM EST
better link:

http://jalopnik.com/5404403/exclusive-video-of-bugatti-veyron-actually-crashing-into-texas-lake
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by crikeytx46 November 15, 2009 5:15 PM EST
There was no pelican....he was on the cell phone and saw a flash of light (I believe is what he said)....he also is part owner in a dealership in Lufkin, Texas that restores "special cars like these"....the video that was taken while it happened basically makes you come away thinking it was staged.....Oh well....Just my thoughts.

video:http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fjalopnik.com%2F5404403%2Fexclusive-video-of-bugatti-veyron-actually-crashing-into-texas-lake&h=547d82818cff0d69040d7f0f5ce55d5f
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by Clark Nova November 15, 2009 8:52 PM EST
The fact that the rear wing is deployed at the 6 degree down angle is absolute proof that he was doing more than 137 mph. Criminal charges should be filed against this jerk who clearly has more money than brains.
by veteran71 November 14, 2009 10:56 PM EST
I think everyone is in agreement: This guy is a massive dumbazz....
Reply to this comment
by taxchurches November 14, 2009 7:39 AM EST
Anybody that would pay a million dollars for four wheels and a motor is too stupid to drive, anyway.
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by louiville35 November 14, 2009 8:26 AM EST
That's chicken feed compared to how much is collected for a few square feet of cloth and some colored oil, or better yet a polished rock.
by sideboom November 14, 2009 7:12 PM EST
bugatti is the vadican of automotive history! the name itself is to be remembered in reverance, but the car driven into the water is but a name only project as is the driver seeking some credibility and esteeme. he is like somany with money , without a brain that got luckey without duty valure !
by Skirt-Lifter November 13, 2009 5:10 PM EST
If I did what he did, I think I would've lied and made up a different story. Wow, that's the dangest excuse i dun ever hear'd in ma whole LIFE
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by exaf74 November 13, 2009 5:04 PM EST
While I certainly cannot suggest anyone move to texass, "home of rednecks, bigots and dumb as dirt oil money," a few more dang yankees might improve the gene pool and intelligence of all the southern redneck states!

Look at a map dumba$$; TEXAS is in the WEST! DUH! And for that matter, MOST of the Houston and Dallas area's are ALL Yankee's. DUH!
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by parisdakar November 13, 2009 4:52 PM EST
*******
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by txlakeside November 13, 2009 4:51 PM EST
by I_am_me1953


Dang txlakeside ...

If you don't like living in Texas go back up North where you came from. We sure as h3ll don't need anymore Yankees here.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Born and raised in Texas .... not all of us are dumb as dirt or yankees. That seems to be a reservation for rednecks!
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by dontknowitall November 13, 2009 5:45 PM EST
George W. Bush born New Haven, Connecticut raised in Texas. You voted for him twice can keep him.
by ffoulkes-2009 November 14, 2009 2:34 AM EST
txlakeside,

Not all of us are dumb, true enough, but some are far more unaccepting of others, and insulting than others. Yup...libs sure are an inclusive bunch...right...
by twistedsister1959 November 13, 2009 4:29 PM EST
Well, come on guys, did the phone make it?
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by DETracy November 13, 2009 4:26 PM EST
Ok, I don't get it? The bird dropped the cell phone and the guy swerved to avoid the phone and landed in the water?

Sounds like the same story about a super collider, a bird, and a slice of bread. Some people will say anything to get out of taking responsibility for a million dollar loss.
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by lakota2012 November 13, 2009 3:43 PM EST
La Marque police Lt. Greg Gilchrist says the man claimed he lost concentration while driving his French-built Bugatti Veyron on Wednesday because the bird swooped into sight.
====================================




It's also nice to see wealthy people from texass supporting the French economy now, after their partisan tirades against France during the bush mis-administration. Freedom fries, anyone?
Reply to this comment
by ffoulkes-2009 November 14, 2009 2:32 AM EST
And you are positive this guy voted for Bush? Were you there when he voted? Looks more like a dem to me.
by mijoka November 15, 2009 11:25 PM EST
lakota you should look a bit closer on which companies are alive in thre USA thanks to the support of the French , let's start by boeing that could not fly their super jet simply the wiring ids made by a French co , so are the wheel to land and so is the software to keep it in the air , My guess is fox show news never told you that, France is an allied Country and a friend unlike the Chinese to which all the lsarge corporation have handed our jobs to , the Chinese were behind the vietnam war a war the French said do not go you will loose ,same in Iraq.
by mari1963 November 13, 2009 3:31 PM EST
This cell phone talking while driving loser should take the insurance check and use it to feed some of those who are out of work and eating at a food kitchen or having to live in a shelter or their car. We're supposed to feel sorry for this guy? Idiot.
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by KipsterKipster November 13, 2009 3:21 PM EST
To quote Nelson Muntz, "Ha Haw!"
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by lakota2012 November 13, 2009 3:19 PM EST
by I_am_me1953


Dang txlakeside ...

If you don't like living in Texas go back up North where you came from. We sure as h3ll don't need anymore Yankees here.
========================================





While I certainly cannot suggest anyone move to texass, "home of rednecks, bigots and dumb as dirt oil money," a few more dang yankees might improve the gene pool and intelligence of all the southern redneck states!
Reply to this comment
by lakota2012 November 13, 2009 3:23 PM EST
BTW, we have open season on displaced texans here, with no bag limits!
by lmartink November 13, 2009 3:07 PM EST
Wonder how fast he was going? That car is capable of over 200 MPH. It's the fastest, street legal sports car in the world.

Repairing a flat tire on the Veyron costs over $20,000 dollars.

The repair costs will probably come close to the replacement cost. I'm betting that it's a total loss.
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