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”.
Reader Comments
Sun Jan 27 2008 11:38 PM
Ade says
Its really sad to hear of this story. Drive safe, and drive responsibly... regardless of alcohol involvement.
Mon Jan 28 2008 12:10 AM
Gus says
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.
Mon Jan 28 2008 2:58 AM
Raptor says
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.
Mon Jan 28 2008 6:57 AM
HECTOR says
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?
Mon Jan 28 2008 10:31 AM
Dan says
Gotta love it...Darwinism at its best.
Mon Jan 28 2008 10:37 AM
Kyle Rohde says
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.
Mon Jan 28 2008 11:08 AM
ALAN says
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
Mon Jan 28 2008 2:26 PM
Raptor says
ALAN caps lock is a key located above left shift
Mon Jan 28 2008 2:39 PM
Bob says
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.
Mon Jan 28 2008 7:48 PM
A.J. Hall says
I wish I had a car like that...I could have driven it way faster
Mon Jan 28 2008 8:30 PM
Paul Timmons says
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
Mon Jan 28 2008 8:43 PM
Paul Timmons says
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.
Tue Jan 29 2008 1:39 PM
A. Patrick Cirelli says
People never react when the stuff hits the fan.....they only react when the stuff hits them. This type of tragedy will never end.
Tue Jan 29 2008 5:31 PM
TJ says
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.
Tue Jan 29 2008 9:20 PM
GayLord Fokker says
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..
Tue Jan 29 2008 10:10 PM
rb says
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!
Wed Jan 30 2008 9:32 AM
Jim F. says
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.
Wed Jan 30 2008 12:26 PM
Common says
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.
Thu Jan 31 2008 4:22 AM
brenton rosser says
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.
Thu Jan 31 2008 9:37 PM
Common says
More information about the driver & passengers including local video footage:
http://www.ocala.com/article/20080126/BREAKING_NEWS/647303050/1053/BREAKING_NEWS
Sun Feb 3 2008 5:38 PM
Junior says
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.
Tue Mar 18 2008 1:47 PM
PHAT 5 says
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.
Sun Mar 30 2008 10:15 PM
ivan says
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
Sun Mar 30 2008 10:19 PM
ivan says
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
Mon Apr 7 2008 1:01 PM
Mindy says
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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