Β CHARLOTTE, NC — “I’m looking at this truck, and I’m like, ‘Somebody’s supposed to be dead.’ Β I just can’t stop smiling, ’cause it’s like God has his hands on me, man. Β I’m on somebody’s fantasy league, you know, and I think it’s the Man Upstairs.”
Those are the words of Cam Newton, talking about the crash that sidelined him. Β He says he doesn’t care when he returns to the football field, he’s just grateful to be alive.
Cam says he remembers everything, except how many times his truck flipped over Tuesday afternoon. Β The quarterback says he is more worried about being a distraction, and wants the focus to be on Sunday’s game against the Bucs.
Cam walked in to the press conference, and it was clear he was still sore. Β But he says considering what happened, he feels great. Β “When you look at the situation at hand, I’m lucky to be standing in front of you guys right now,” he said. Β “So as I was getting closer, he started to speed up, and when he started to speed up, I was at a decision where if I pull on my brakes, I’m going to hit him because of the speed that I was going.”
According to the accident report, Cam was traveling the speed limit at 35 miles per hour on South Church Street when the other driver tried to cross the road from West Hill Street. Β The report says that car was also going 35, and tried to slow down.
“When I passed him, I figured I was good to go, but he just clipped the back of my truck, and the rest is somebody having their good hands on me,” said Cam.
Witnesses say Cam’s truck flipped at least four times on the bridge over I-277. Β WCCB Charlotte learned the intersection where the crash happened is the fourth worst in Charlotte for accidents. Β Now Cam’s crash has raised more safety questions.
“I hope something’s done about it, because it kind of leaves the driver wondering, ‘What’s the next driver going to do?'”
The Charlotte DOT says it has not received the official crash report, so it has not looked at that intersection yet.
