Totaled

I have owned two Toyotas, well, I guess technically I "own" a third, but only technically.  Sir R has a '94 Toyo Land Cruiser.  This is the tale of the two Toyotas and how they were totaled.

Toyota #1:
Toyota #1 was my first, very own, vehicle.  It was a 2000 Toyota Echo, hunter green, 4 door.  Nothing fancy, but it got great mileage.  I loved that car.  I put 105,000 miles on it in 3 1/2 years.  We had some good times.  My dad, yes, my dad, bought me the car.  I know, spoiled brat, thanks.  He paid the car off about 2 months prior to the date it was totaled.

I remember that day very clearly.  It was March 2, 2004, the day my nephew "Small Fry" was born.  I went, after work, to see my sister before heading into downtown Baltimore for a show.  From the hospital he was born at I had to travel 695 (which is a stretch of hellish traffic packed highway).  As I'm coming around a turn I see a small sign that says LEFT LANE CLOSED 1/2 MILE.  I shift one lane to the right.  I never saw another sign indicated that the lane was going to be closed, but I did see the traffic backing up.  I come up over a small hill and I slow to a stop.  I check the car behind me and see that it is going to stop as well.  Completely calm I look forward again and within another 10 seconds my car is in the trunk space of the car in front of me.   Apparently the car that was two cars behind me hit the car behind me.  I was then pushed into the LEXUS in front me and he was pushed into the car in front of him.  Stunned, I turned my car off and got out as a State Trooper is coming down the side of the road to make sure everyone was okay.  I had no injuries whatsoever.  After I called my sister, my boss, and a couple people that were waiting for me downtown the Trooper hands me the insurance information of the car that caused the accident.  I got back in my car, started it back up, and went downtown.  The poor Echo ran about another week and then would give no more.  I wasn't charged with the accident, which can be touchy in the state of Maryland when you end up rearending someone use.  Thank you State Troopers for being our witness!