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Five youths killed in BMW M5 crash

 
34 8,948 views Jan 27, 2008
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Five youths killed in BMW M5 crash

Five youths killed in BMW M5 crash

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Five young men were killed early Saturday at Greystone Airport in Florida when the car they were traveling in, a BMW M5 saloon, crashed in a high speed accident after being driven on the actual airport strip. Behind the wheel was 18-year-old Joshua D. Ammirato and riding along in the car was four of his friends who were returning from a party.

According to local news source Ocala, the car skidded at the end of the runway, turned sideways and then sailed up an embankment before crashing into a tree and bursting into flames. The car, which was registered to Ammirato’s father, broke into two pieces after hitting the tree. Details are still being released but it’s thought alcohol was involved and the speed at which the car would have been traveling is still being determined.

Interestingly, Ammirato posted messages on a M5 forum only 12 hours before the crash seeking advice on how to shift gears smoothly when the car was in its max 500hp setting. Some of his posts included: "The problem is when I'm going pedal to the metal pushing 140 and upshifting, there tends to be thud noise with the gear change," and “I am beginner when it comes to high performance cars as I am only 18”.





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Comments (34)

  1. By Ade Posted: 1/27/2008 11:38pm PST

    Its really sad to hear of this story. Drive safe, and drive responsibly... regardless of alcohol involvement.
     
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  2. By Gus Posted: 1/28/2008 12:10am PST

    Another idiotic kid whose parents either didn't teach him how to drive or the consequences of his actions, or handed him the keys to a car way beyond his capabilities takes other kids out with him.
    Just glad the f-er didn't kill anyone I care about.
    Put his parents on trial, unless he stole the keys.
     
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  3. By Raptor Posted: 1/28/2008 2:58am PST

    Damn... I have license for two and a half years now and 250 HP Volvo S60 is about as much as I can handle safely.

    Cant imagine an 18 yo in M5.
     
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  4. By HECTOR Posted: 1/28/2008 6:57am PST

    Gus has it right. I rather these little shit killed himself and his stupid friends while drinking and driving than he had plowed into a bus stop or gathering of kids.

    Hey mom and dad: are you too busy now to do some actual parenting?
     
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  5. By Dan Posted: 1/28/2008 10:31am PST

    Gotta love it...Darwinism at its best.
     
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  6. By Kyle Rohde Posted: 1/28/2008 10:37am PST

    Sad - how often does this happen across the US? 99% of adult drivers don't have the skill to safely drive an M5 fast, let alone an 18 year old that's with four friends and has been drinking or doing some kind of drugs.

    What an idiotic set of parents - I hope they get sued for every cent they're worth by the other four families.
     
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  7. By ALAN Posted: 1/28/2008 11:08am PST

    WHAT WAS THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE CAR DOING LETTING 5 KIDS WITH VERY LITTLE LIFE SKILLS AND DRIVING SKILLS BEHIND THE WHEEL OF SUCH A HI PRO CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE THEY SHOULD BE HELD TO ANSWER QESTIONS AND JUSTIFY THERE REASON FOR LETTING THE KIDS GO ( THEY WONT BE IN A FIT STATE ANYTIME SOON IF THE CARE ABOUT THERE CHILDREN ANY WAY) WE ARE ALL LOOSERS IN THIS TRAGEDY 5 YOUNG LIVES CUT SHOT LETS HOPE ITS A WAKE UP CALL FOR ALL OF US TO KEEP A CLOSER EYE ON OUR OWN FAMILYS AND FRIENDS KIDS
     
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  8. By Raptor Posted: 1/28/2008 2:26pm PST

    ALAN caps lock is a key located above left shift
     
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  9. By Bob Posted: 1/28/2008 2:39pm PST

    I just watched the video and although the cop noted this as a horrible tragedy he failed to note what a god send and how fortunate we are that the lack of parenting skills did not affect innocent lives on public roads.

    I have two kids of my own and I slept very well last night in the knowledge that the roads in my neighborhood are a little bit safer. Although cruel a ticket and some parents making the right automotive chioce was not going to work in this case.
     
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  10. By A.J. Hall Posted: 1/28/2008 7:48pm PST

    I wish I had a car like that...I could have driven it way faster
     
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  11. By Paul Timmons Posted: 1/28/2008 8:30pm PST

    This kids parents are idiots. They deserve all the blame. He'd had 4 tickets in 2 years. If you give a 19 year old a car, he is going to see how fast that car can go. That's what 19 year olds do. I remember getting my dad's Dodge Aspen up to 100 back in 1981. That's what 19 year olds do. The parents should be charged with 4 counts of manslaughter. The kid was an idiot. The runway was only 1.5 miles long. At 140 miles per hour that's like 20 seconds. Didn't he know the runway ended. Oak tree +1, BMW M5 -5
     
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  12. By Paul Timmons Posted: 1/28/2008 8:43pm PST

    I think the 4 passengers were innocent victims. They trusted their stupid friend's driving skills. I wonder if any of them told him to slow down and he ignored them. It really sounds like alcohol was involved and impaired the driver's judgement.
     
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  13. By A. Patrick Cirelli Posted: 1/29/2008 1:39pm PST

    People never react when the stuff hits the fan.....they only react when the stuff hits them. This type of tragedy will never end.
     
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  14. By TJ Posted: 1/29/2008 5:31pm PST

    The kid probably went to public school. His parents sent him there expecting them to raise him. Problem is, government schools don't teach consequences or reasoning skills. Schools are taking the place of parents and are doing a terrible job of it. Will his parents learn this lesson? I doubt it.
     
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  15. By GayLord Fokker Posted: 1/29/2008 9:20pm PST

    No remorse except for the M5.. Poor car, probably had less than 500 miles on it too..

    If they were drunk serves them right.. And I can almost agree that his buddies probably egged him on to go faster, unless they were passed out.. That's what teenagers do when they're together w/o adult supervision..
     
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  16. By rb Posted: 1/29/2008 10:10pm PST

    makes you wonder how many owners of an M5 could actually drive it correctly......makes you also wonder what is the point of an M5 ?, after all on public roads no-one can drive it anywhere near its limit. Fine on a track(where you also have safety teams for back up!) but for everyday use there may be no point having anything more than a 520 (if you want a 5 series)

    So then,why do people buy and M5 - I expect most buy because of the badge and or "mine's got more horse power than yours"

    What a sad world we live in!
     
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  17. By Jim F. Posted: 1/30/2008 9:32am PST

    Well here we go again!!!! You take 1 idiot and parents willing to give something that can cause such a result without thought . My son is 15 and just got his drivers licence and I can tell you for certain the first time he pulls a dumb move that endangers anyone he will be walking for 6 months and there will be no next time after that he's waiting till he is on his own to drive,it's called being a PARENT!!!!!This past Christmas I gave my sons their first rifles not because I could, but because I have spent time teaching them how much responsibility and care it takes to EARN my trust and I will be by their sides every time they use these rifles till I feel they have EARNED my trust. Just because you can buy something dosen't mean you should , maybe some thought first would have been a good idea! I don't wish on my worst enemy what these people are going thru it will never go away they will be asking themselves what if forever.
     
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  18. By Common Posted: 1/30/2008 12:26pm PST

    A very tragic accident. My condolences to the families. It was a youthful mistake that came to a deadly ending. With that said, I echo the fact that an irresponsible 18 year old should not have been handed the keys to a car as powerful as an M5 although the fact remains that he could have been driving a MINI Cooper and he may have still attempted to test its maximum limits under the influence that night. The answer starts at home by raising responsible children. For previous posters, anytime 5 teenagers die its a sad loss regardless the cause.
     
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  19. By brenton rosser Posted: 1/31/2008 4:22am PST

    i'm so glad my first car was a ratted out deathtrap that was scary at 25 mph!! with no power assists and an engine that barley ran it was my moms way of keeing me from racing for the first year of me having a liscennse. it looks like these people should have done the same, after all you cant kill yourself when the car cant move well under its own power,lol. RIP my 89 lemans.
     
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  20. By Common Posted: 1/31/2008 9:37pm PST

    More information about the driver & passengers including local video footage:

    http://www.ocala.com/article/20080126/BREAKING_NEWS/647303050/1053/BREAKING_NEWS
     
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  21. By Junior Posted: 2/3/2008 5:38pm PST

    I dont think it was the parents fault because they didnt know what their 18 yr old kid wouldve done with that car maybe it was probably the influence of his friend but we all dont know that. Im sure his parents thaught him responsibility. My condolences to the five parents. We werent there to say something we dont know. Gus imagine if you were in that car how you think people wouldve talk about you so next time think before you put anything up like that.
     
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  22. By PHAT 5 Posted: 3/18/2008 1:47pm PDT

    SO SORRY THE LIFE OF 5 WAS LOST. PARENTS BEWARE. I HAVE A M5 BUT I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CAR CAN DO. GO FAST. PARENTS EDUCATE YOUR KIDS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DRIVER SAFETY. I GUESS IT'S A LITTLE TO LATE NOW. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE.
     
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  23. By ivan Posted: 3/30/2008 10:15pm PDT

    For the individuals that said negative things about josh or any of the other boys. That is really immature i was close friends with 4 of them and do to the fact you did not know them should not give you the right to leave negative comments but it is a free country and you gave the right to say what you want. Just remember we are all Gods children and just because one of our brothers made a terrible and tragic mistake he should not be called names nor put down because of the choice he made. His father is a good man and he got the car for his son because he loved him and expected him to be responsible with it but things dont always turn out the way we want them to. Show respect to those others have lost and hold dear to their hearts you would want people to feel the same for your losses . I love and care for everyone As one of my friends would say and lived by LIVE, LOVE, FORGIVE I LOVE YOU GUYS IVAN
     
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  24. By ivan Posted: 3/30/2008 10:19pm PDT

    By the way it has nothing to do with the car anybody with any type of car could have done that any car that goes over 100 is deadly drive safe and think sbout others before doing something
     
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  25. By Mindy Posted: 4/7/2008 1:01pm PDT

    I was reading this post and also the comments and yes it is horrible, yes it is tragic, and yes Ivan, I agree with you. I am in RI and no I did not know these kids, but how do you people know that these were bad kids? AND learn to read there was only alcohol mentioned NOT DRUGS dont friggin make assumptions! Not every damn teenager is into drugs and drinking!! Dont be a stereotypical jack @$$! And how do you know all of them were drinking? Maybe the passengers were, not the driver! Yes, the car was probably a little too much for him to handle at such a high rate of speed, but like Ivan said ANY car can be deadly, whether its a 08 M5 or a dinky little Sentra any car is dangerous, whether your doing the speed limit or over 100... you can kill or be killed just by backing out of your driveway!


    And yeah maybe the parents made a mistake, does that make them bad parents? Have you ever made a mistake? NO ONE IS PERFECT. No they do not deserve to be thrown in jail, yes pay for the damages that their son caused and LEARN!!! You hypocritical people pi$$ me off!


    Rest in peace all of you and my condolences to all of the families who lost someone dear to them...
     
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  26. ma_Phil D. 635 avatar Phil D. 635 Posted: 1/16/2009 5:28am PST

    ok, I am very late in leaving a comment, but I knew about this story when it happened. My comments are first, the Father or Parents in this matter really do need to step back and think a bit... Why would anyone give their kid the keys to a car that goes over 200mph? I now own an M5 myself, and I have owned more than 40 cars in my time. I can say when I was a kid, I was driving in fields etc.. when I was 12-15 and went through 6 cars before I got my lic. Once I got my lic. my mother was terrified I would end up just like this. My point is, kids are kids, and when I was legal and on the road, I drove as fast as my K car could go! The parents poor decision to give him an M5 is what caused this. Without the proper driving practice, you cant give a kid such a powerful car, he will push its limits not fully understanding the consequences. No matter how responsible anyone feels their 18yo kid is, they arent... they will not understand fully, until they age just a bit. I had a Honda CB 650 when I was 16, and just because of my past driving exp. in fields, and sometimes illegally on the roads, I knew I would push that bike to its end, and it would be the death of me, so I sold it. I would say, I only knew that because I had crashed 3 cars in fields and already experienced losing control of a vehicle. It was a real tragedy, and one I hope people take notice on. Dont get your high school grad a corvette, M5, Porsche or any other fast car, get them one that is limited at about 110mph... like a Hyundai, because know this, they will find the limit, and if the limit is 180+MPH, you will attend their funeral. Subsequently, I still drive reasonably fast, and love the power, but when I was 18, I would pass on the right on the highway, and weave in and out of traffic etc... not any more, I have a better understanding of chance and safety. I have also never been in an accident on the road that was my fault, because of luck only, in my early years, and common sense in my adult years.
     
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  27. ma_MIKEYMIKE BALLININ THA M5 avatar MIKEYMIKE BALLININ THA M5 Posted: 4/8/2009 12:30am PDT

    sad story cuz i have an 2008 bmw m5 and no 18 year old on the planet should be driving a car that powerful come on now!!!! V-10 500 horses!!!!! I'm only 23 and that car scares the shit out of me especially hitten that "m" button. So i'm just letting you all know put the blame on the moron who gives the keys of a v-1o 500hp super car to a 18 year old!!!!!!!!!!!
     
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  28. By Nick Posted: 3/27/2010 9:39am PDT

    Ummm, you're only half a decade older then that kid son... Don't tell me you've learned all you need to know about driving by now
     
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  29. By M3 Posted: 9/24/2010 11:56am PDT

    Do not say all teenagers that age cannot handle cars of that stature know that some will push and some will not. I know this because I am 18 and have a m3 and have never had it past 100mph just because I understand the risks that are involved when the car drops it sixth gear..praying for there families still.
     
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  30. By Mikey in tha m5 Posted: 1/9/2011 4:06am PST

    Another thing that is really important is an M5 beats! Yes beats! Lambos and Ferrari s on you tube....don't believe ? You tube it!!!!! So basically this dad should be at fault he gave the keys to a v-10 507 horse power car to be exact lol to a 18 year old??? Come on my hearts gomout to the families but what kind of dumb ass does that ...didn't he know when he got the car it says 200mph on the dash?!! Plus BMW offers free driving course lesson in north Carolina for anyone who buys an M5 or M6 all these things wernt crossing the idiot dads head when he handed the keys to his barely adult son who is 18!!!!! What!?
     
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  31. By Mikeymike M5 Posted: 1/9/2011 4:17am PST

    I love th M5 so much th smg transmission is for ballers only the v-10 is amazing 7 gears 200 mph on the dash what more could anyone ask for ..... M5 M6 and 760 li go down in history as some of the best cars ever made no wonder Mercedes and audi drivers always kiss my ass when I come around lol
     
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  32. By Mikey mike M5 killah Posted: 1/9/2011 4:32am PST

    And another thing lol I think corvettes vipers cameros and any other amercan car makes you look like a hill Billy red neck ..... Let's see I think Audi is a over rated car now a days and let's face it BMW is the best car no wonder they call it the ultimate driving machine and they look like transformer sharks when on the road especially M5 M6 and 760's o ya and Mercedes has nice interior and perform almost as good as beamers but the new models are ugly the 2011 cls amg is the ugliest thing ever and the next generation M5 will be king of the streets yet again .... So I'm telling you all the BMW M5 is the best car out there and if you don't agree you must not have style or brains
     
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  33. By Mikey mike M5 ballaa Posted: 1/9/2011 4:46am PST

    And to the idiot who said I have a half decade only I also have owned many powerful cars and I drive a lot too iv owned 3000gt vr4 BMW 540 BMW 745 and now BMW M5 if it wasn't for those previous cars I wouldn't be the driver I am today I'll post a pic of my M5 and it dosent have a scratch on it you gotta know what roads to push on you don't need a air strip you just need to find the right roads to do it on
     
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  34. By Mikeyy mike M5 beast Posted: 1/9/2011 5:04am PST

    Lol I'm really bored and it's snowing a lot today so I'm gonna keep commenting on things lol to the M3 guy who dosent push his car past 100 grow some balls why would you buy an M car if your not gonna push it maybe you should have bought a 328i and some panties lol
     
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