David B posted up the following concerning LJ Ownes. Our condolences go out to the family. I'm sure once David learns more he will post here.

"I dont' know how I'm even able to write this, but LJ Owens (yellow viper and purple Cobra) was killed last night in a car wreck somewhere in Florida,

I have no details at this time. "

 

Our thoughts and prayers are all with him and his family.

 

I'm going to try this.

LJ left for a 2 week vacation in the Viper. He went to visit a couple of old High School buddies and to visit my son down in Miami. I had hoped to fly down and meet up with him for a little while and drive back with him but work got in the way.

The autocross was supposed to be sort of a shakedown for the Viper so that we could see if it had any inherent handling issues. And even tho we were on the original 2001 super hard tires with no traction we found we couldn't spin it, even tho LJ tried, as he so dearly loved to go round in circles. The autocross told us what needed to be changed to suit our styles. We now knew how to change the alignment and that it needed tires desperately.

We got some new RA1 rubber tweaked the settings and then LJ headed off for his trip. He kept calling me with his MPG and we found that he got 22 mpg with the cruise control set at 75 mph. He was so proud of that.

He met with one H.S. buddy in Jacksonville, Fla and the headed to Miami to see my son. They took in the boat show there and found us a nice little boat at only $34M then headed up to Tampa to met with H.S. buddy #2.

On his way home from there he took a very slow pace and went on every little side trip that interested him. He was on the coast road (hwy 98) when it began to rain so he put the top up and headed for the Interstate.

Apparently a few minutes after he got on the interstate while he was traveling with the cruise control set at about 70 he suddenly veered off the road. Witnesses said it was as if he was avoiding something in the road. He hit the wet grassy median and spun the car backwards into oncoming traffic. He sideswiped a Bimmer, gained a little control over the car and then went backwards off the road. Then he hit something that stopped the car very quickly.

Then it went bad. Somehow his seat belt snapped and he was ejected from the car thru the roof.

The officer said it looked as if the seat belt had been cut. I know it was in great shape before he left and since I talked to him several times that day I know that if there had been an issue he would have told me.

They can't figure out what caused him to swerve in the first place and say they've never seen anything like the seat belt. They find nothing with the car that could have caused the accident.

They also said that minus the seat belt snapping he would have been all right.

Those of you that know him probably liked him. He was a great guy and would literally give you the shirt off his back.

He will leave a big hole in my wife and I's life. And while we weren't genetically related he was truly my kids' Uncle.

We don't know when the services will be, but I will post on the forum.

 

I'm very sorry to hear this. My condolences to those of you who knew him, and his family.

 

I can vouch for LJ's character, and he will truly be missed by us all. Our Ft. Worth community will definitely feel a void, and during these coming days, weeks, and months, we should all remember how important it is that we have one another.
I've read posts like this before, but it has never been one of MY friends until tonight, and I have never realized how much something like this can hurt. Not only should we remember LJ's family in our thoughts and prayers, we need to give those for David. There's nothing that hurts like losing your best friend, so tonight, we hurt with you, we stand beside you, and we will be here for you in the tough months ahead.
Grace and Peace

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. It was always pleasant spending time with LJ. He will be missed.

 

So sorry to hear this. I'll be praying for the family and friends.

 

If you are one of those who has an LJ story or know someone who does could you please jot it down and send it to me. I am compiling as many stories as I can to give to his son so that he can see the LJ we saw. It can be 2 lines or 10 pages, I don't care.

A son hardly ever sees the person who was their Dad, they only see Dad.

Due to where his son lived he only saw a small aspect of LJ's life and friends.

LJ unselfishly gave money, cars, clothes, help, comradeship, you name it to complete strangers so you know how he treated his friends. I am trying to find as many stories of this as I can as his son had no idea the good that LJ did.

 

I honestly don't even know what to say, I am so sorry to hear these bad news, LJ was a great guy just like David is, he will be missed, my thoughts and prayers to all his friends and family.

 

David,
I am so sorry to read about this! LJ was a new friend to me but he instantly befriended me that saterday night I met you guys. My prayers go out to his family and to yours. He is truly missed and the world is less with out him. I will be looking for the service times to attend. If i can help in any way please let me know!