John Daly Wrecks Bus Into Tunnel

Posted Jun 21, 2009 8:10PM By Will Brinson (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Golf

Now, before you freak out, shake your head and wonder what John Daly is doing alive, I should probably point out that this story is slightly less wince-worthy than the title indicates. Daly did crash a bus into a tunnel, but it was because he wasn't paying attention to the clearance sign leading into the tunnel. (As opposed to, you know, getting really sloppy at Hooters and then doing it.)

Apparently, there was another distracting sign next to the clearance and Daly -- driving his daughter to Florida so she too could have lap-band surgery -- and when his bus hit the tunnel, a number of parts went flying into an oncoming Cadillac, driven by the good Reverend Jimmy Roberson. Who may or may not have neck injuries.

"In 17 years of driving a bus, I've never had an experience like this," Daly said Saturday evening. "The sign said 'No trucks, cargo or hazardous material in the right lane.' I'm reading the sign and don't see the (clearance) footage. I'm think I've got to go to the left lane, and before I know it, the roof is torn out."

Daly's Twitter feed (as pointed out by the newly Twitter-obsessed ~~Texans Chick~~ Steph Stradley) has been full of responses and tweets about the accident.

signs were too LATE and chains were NOT down to prevent--statistics show this happens multiple times week--No Clearance on the Tunnel AT ALL

Daly went on to answer tweets from some of his followers as well, stating that he heard from a cop on scene that this happens multiple times per week. Additionally, Daly called out a "man of god" for claiming neck injuries in the accident; Daly's famous enough though that you can bet your next round of lap-band if whoever's involved is lawsuit-inclined at the least, the insurance claim is going to be a lot bigger than he expects.

But, long story short is that Daly did -- it seems -- nothing wrong here and he just happens to be a victim of being John Daly and driving a giant bus and smashing his windshield into a tunnel because he didn't properly read the signage. So, yeah, nothing to see here, folks. Move right along.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

6-22-2009 @ 11:01AM

Terry said...

I live in Mobile where he crashed into the tunnel and despite what was written...this does NOT happen several times a week. There is blaring siren if the height of a vehicle exceeds the tunnel height and there is a second tunnel where larger vehicles have no difficulty driving. Only idiots make this mistake...either that or the illiterate since there are signs everywhere with the height restrictions listed. The Bankhead Tunnel was built in the 1940's---there were no Winnebagos then. Can't comment on the preacher---except to say they aren't always men of God as much as In God We Trust men.

6-22-2009 @ 3:23PM

dlpfrench said...

Actually there were Winnebago's then,,,and buses, and larger tractor trailer trucks in the 40's

6-22-2009 @ 11:26AM

big blue said...

the human train wreck is now a bus wreck too???

6-22-2009 @ 11:30AM

Mary said...

This may sound stupid, but why didn't the bridge makers make a bigger entrance to begin with?

6-22-2009 @ 12:11PM

clawl8 said...

the tunnel was made back in 1940 or so. Vehicle heights have changed but the tunnel was'nt.

6-22-2009 @ 2:04PM

Jim said...

Don't forget, that tunnel heights are "changed" when they "repave" a road (adding asphalt).

6-22-2009 @ 5:54PM

craigwied said...

WHAT?

6-22-2009 @ 12:33PM

Kyle said...

I hope John can get his life back together and make a comeback. Go John.

6-22-2009 @ 12:49PM

m. said...

where's the pic of the bus?

6-22-2009 @ 1:18PM

John S said...

As an ex trucker, I've always felt, anything bigger than a 2 ton should require a CDL, and all the testing related to it.

6-22-2009 @ 1:39PM

J.T said...

I COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU I THINK IT IS DUMP TO LET PPL DRIVE A 45 FOO BUS WITH OUT A CDL

6-23-2009 @ 6:20AM

thesoccercoach said...

Are you kidding. 2 tons, must be a type-o. Most full size cars weigh more than 2 tons.

6-22-2009 @ 1:19PM

Hugh said...

Fame is the worst thing that ever happened to John Daly. Few understand that the pressure out there on tour is enormous and John just didn't handle it well.

6-22-2009 @ 2:07PM

John's lifestyle hasn't changed from before he won the PGA in Indianapolis. He was a party guy before, drinker, smoker, etc. Fame hasn't changed him at all. Perhaps we should have wished that "fame" WOULD have changed him.

6-22-2009 @ 2:25PM

gfhonodel said...

For some reason it's been a tough go for the pro golf community on the highways. The fellow who had a bad wreck in MS a couple weeks ago- I see this morning the wife of a tour pro was killed in Indiana, and this sounds like it could have been worse than it turned out. They say this stuff happens in threes. Let's hope this is it for awhile.

6-22-2009 @ 2:37PM

timjofred said...

J.T said...
I COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU I THINK IT IS DUMP TO LET PPL DRIVE A 45 FOO BUS WITH OUT A CDL

John's fans are certainly interested in this posting chain.
I think J.T. meant to say "I could not agree with you MORE." I also think that he/she meant "dumb" instead of "DUMP" and "foot" for "FOO". Other than that his/her comment was almost coherent.

6-22-2009 @ 2:48PM

Cindy Jones said...

John Daly chooses to let his life be out of control. Thank the High Up thant no one was killed by this person. He probably shouldn't even have a drivers license?

6-23-2009 @ 3:25PM

little66 said...

that is just stupid

6-22-2009 @ 3:03PM

Phillip said...

Why this guy is still golfing is beyond me. If anyone in the NFL, NBA or MLB had as many run-ins and screwups as this guy, they'd have long since been banned from their respective leagues.