- A driver allegedly distracted by her phone crashed into a classic Jaguar XK120 race car.
- The accident occurred last week in Austria during the warm-up session of the Mille Miglia event.
- A video capturing the aftermath went viral on social media, showcasing the drivers’ reactions.
Despite repeated warnings about the dangers of distracted driving, people still seem to think they can get away with using their phones behind the wheel. This behavior allegedly led to a serious accident in Austria, where a rare 1950s Jaguar XK120 was wrecked during a Mille Miglia event.
The incident unfolded last week on a quiet country road near Elsbethen. According to local reports, a 23-year-old Hungarian woman, distracted by her phone, crashed her silver Opel Insignia into the classic Jaguar.
Her sedan plowed into the Jaguar, driven by Italian enthusiasts Giuseppe Cerbone and Nicolo Bottini Bongrani. Fortunately, all three involved sustained only minor injuries, though the Italians appeared bloodied—likely due to the lack of airbags and the brutal force of the impact.
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A video of the aftermath quickly went viral on social media platforms, including X, Facebook, and TikTok, amassing millions of views. According to Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung, the woman admitted she was on her phone at the time of the crash. In the footage, the Jaguar crew can be heard cursing in Italian, still reeling from the shock of what just happened.
A woman on the phone and not paying attention to the road drove into a 1948 Jaguar XK120. pic.twitter.com/DDbJdVq6Hb
— non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) September 29, 2024
The XK120 now lies battered, its right side severely damaged, with crumpled body panels and a compromised front suspension. Sadly, it might be a complete loss. Restored examples of this British roadster are currently selling for anywhere from €35k ($39k) to €250k ($280k), depending on their condition and rarity.
The classic model had been participating in a practice run for the Mille Miglia Warm-Up event. This Austrian version of the rally took place in Salzburg for the first time last weekend.
The event was open to vehicles that took part in the original Mille Miglia races held in Italy between 1927 and 1957, as well as classic sports cars manufactured between 1958 and 1976. A Porsche Challenge with 20 models manufactured between 1977 and 2024 also took place last week in the Austrian Alps.
