The Engine Dropped Out Of the Way, Every Airbag Went Off, I’m Alive Because Of My Subaru Outback

What happens when a truck crosses the center median in front of you, slams into your Subaru Outback, and you are in a life-threatening accident? Ashley sustained multiple injuries and could have died quickly. Here's Ashley's incredible survival story. 

"My Subaru saved my life; it protected me." 

That's what Ashley wrote to Subaru of America after she had an accident in her 2014 Subaru Outback. Here is Ashley's remarkable story after a truck crossed the center median in front of her and slammed into her Subaru Outback, causing a horrific accident. 

Subaru says, "When Ashley was involved in a life-threatening accident, she had her Subaru Outback to thank. Ashley and Brenden tell their story of beating the odds." 

Here is their incredible survival story. 

Brenden says, "I definitely could not imagine a life without Ashley. Going through what we did, seeing what had happened…I wouldn't know what to do with myself without her there."

They met at a friend's barbecue, and he was sitting over in the corner, playing with his camera. She sat down next to him and started talking, and they just hit it off immediately, says Ashley. 

"We knew we loved each other within about a week. And I'd never felt like that before. It was kind of love at first sight. And it's been almost 14 years now," says Brenden.

"I can't imagine doing anything without him and trusting him with my life."

Ashely says the day was September 1st of '23. "It was just a normal, typical workday. It was a Friday. And I was going to take 301 and stop at one of the major, you know, shopping stores on the way home, just for fun."

And that's when the accident happened.

"It was so fast! I was informed later, once I'd been admitted to the hospital, that it was a truck that had impacted us. The truck was weaving recklessly on the opposite side of the road, in and out of traffic."

"I have dash cam footage of that happening; I don't have any recollection of it, because it was less than two seconds. All of a sudden, I'm waking up on the side of the road."

Brenden says, "I was at work; I got a phone call from a number I didn't know. The lady on the phone proceeded to tell me that Ashley had been in a wreck." 

At that point, he didn't know I was in our Subaru Outback, says Ashley. 

"I was thinking that she was driving one of the work vehicles supplied to them," says Brenden.

"And then the next thing I knew, there was a paramedic in the car with me. And I do remember him telling me, "Don't be scared; we have to cover you with a sheet." Because they had to cut me out of the vehicle."

"We share each other's location, so I knew exactly where her phone was at. It was a one-hour drive from me. I, at that point, had no clue what her condition was," says Brenden.

"The paramedic with me called my husband from the ambulance."

"She said again, you know, that…that…she loved me and was sorry about the car. Driving up to the scene was extremely difficult, and seeing the carnage that was left behind."

"I know it was hard for him to see, but he was so thankful I was in our Subaru. That car held together exactly the way it was built."

"The engine dropped out of the way, every airbag went off that was supposed to, and any injuries that I sustained were because I was restrained."

"I broke my collarbone, I broke my shoulder, and I broke two ribs. I broke my wrist, and I broke my sternum."

"It would've been so easy to be in a terrible car, where I would never have known; I could've died so quickly, and I'm very fortunate."

"My car saved my life. My Subaru saved my life, and it protected me."

"Traveling to the hospital, it just started to hit me how devastating it could've been if it wasn't for me being in the Outback."

"Knowing that I'm OK now, having my family there every step of the way, is a great blessing. I consider myself very lucky."

Ashley's story is a powerful testament to the safety of Subaru models. Even at ten years old, the Subaru Outback proved to be a remarkably safe vehicle, a fact that should reassure all potential Subaru owners. 

Here is what I wrote in my report ten years ago about Outback's safety tech in 2014. 

Subaru has been producing the safest cars in the world, but they are unsatisfied with past success. Subaru improved occupant protection in small overlap crashes by structurally enhancing their 2014 models. 

Beginning with their 2014 models, Subaru significantly improved occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes. This results from Subaru engineers improving the already effective ring-shaped reinforcement frame used in all Subaru vehicles.

Subaru's ring-shaped reinforcement frame has been used for over a decade and has proven very effective. 2014 models have been enhanced even more to provide better protection in the structure, increasing cabin rigidity and absorbing impact energy from any direction. This design gives superior protection and enables all their vehicles to keep achieving these safety awards year after year.

More upgrades were made to the curtain airbag placement and structural reinforcements.

This proprietary design has helped the 2014 Outback earn top honors alongside the rest of Subaru's lineup. Changes were also made in the 2014 models to the curtain airbag placement and the new structural reinforcements.

I wrote, "Subaru has announced very successful crash test results from the IIHS that show how safe their vehicles are. The new 2014 Subaru Legacy sedan and 2014 Outback SUV received the highest possible score of six points in a new IIHS Front Crash Prevention (FCP) test program."

"The two Subaru models are only two of seven vehicles tested by IIHS out of 74 cars tested to receive the highest possible rating of "Superior." This shouldn't be a surprise because Subaru has been building safe cars for decades. 

In fact, the Japanese automaker has been testing their cars since the 1960s before safety testing methods had yet to be established. And Subaru sets safety targets for all their vehicles before they ever reach production."

Dear Subaru…

With tears in his eyes, Brenden says, "Thank you so much for keeping my wife safe and alive."

Ashley says, "Thank you for making this vehicle. I'm so thankful that you have put safety first. I trusted Subaru before, and I trust them even more now."

Another Subaru survival story you may like is in my report, "Dear Subaru, I Walked Away."

Find out what happens when a Subaru Crosstrek slides off the road, flips three times, and hits a tree. Did the driver sustain life-threatening injuries? She should have but walked away instead. Check out Kenzi's incredible survival story here. 

I want to hear from Subaru owners who may have been in an accident while driving a Subaru. You can comment using the red 'Add new comment' link below. 

Watch: Dear Subaru | Episode 2: A Survivor’s Story 

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Subaru