My Friend Fell Asleep Driving My Subaru Forester Wilderness Going 70 MPH, I Watched In Horror as My Perfect Car Went Off the Road and Crashed Into a Barrier

"My Subaru Forester Wilderness saved my life."

I've covered several stories of a Subaru vehicle keeping its occupants safe in a life-threatening accident. However, Peyton's story is slightly different because she wasn't driving her car. Those are her words after her friend took over when Peyton got too tired to drive back from a ski trip.

Before Peyton gives her account of the horrific accident, picture yourself at 22, making your first big purchase, a new 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness edition compact SUV.

It's the vehicle of your dreams because you lead an active lifestyle and like to take your vehicle off-road for hiking, camping, and ski trips to the mountains. You've recently graduated from college and have owned your vehicle, now your traveling buddy, for over a year. 

You are excited because you'll be taking your Forester Wilderness on a ski trip to the mountains this weekend. Your all-wheel-drive Forester with extra ground clearance is your dependable buddy and won't have a problem with the snowy roads. 

It's been a great day on the slopes. The snow was deep and powdery, and it took a lot of energy to navigate the mountain's steep slopes. You and your friend are both exhausted. You decide to take turns driving on the trip home because it's been a long day. 

Here is Peyton's account. 

She says, "In November 2024, it was time for me to buy my first car. My old car had broken down, and now, at 22 years old, having just graduated college, it would be my first big purchase. I fell in love with the Subaru Forester Wilderness edition and bought a 2022 model. I have never felt prouder of something that I'd bought." 

"My Forester took me off-roading through multiple cities, a move, and seven states in the first two months! Then, in January 2025, while driving back from a ski trip, a friend was taking a shift driving and fell asleep at the wheel." 

"I watched in horror as my perfect car went off the road and crashed into a barrier." 

"At highway speeds, we collided with a guard rail. In the days following, I could only be overwhelmed with relief and gratitude that my Subaru's safety features kept us alive and unharmed. We hit a guard rail traveling upwards of 70 mph, and both got out of the car completely unscathed." 

"All of the Subaru's airbags were deployed, and the passenger and driver's areas were held strong as they kept their precious cargo safe. As soon as we crashed, the vehicle called 911 and connected us with an operator before we'd even exited the car." 

"After that experience, I can safely say that my next car will also be a Subaru. While looking for that next Subaru, I can only think of my gratitude. Thank you, Subaru, for saving us," she concludes.

The Subaru Forester Saves Their Lives

This could have a life-threatening accident hitting a barrier at 70 miles per hour. However, Peyton and her friend walked away because of Subaru's stellar safety technology.

Check out my Subaru Outback survival story. Gabika grew attached to her new 2024 Subaru Outback. After numerous climbing trips, sleeping in the back, and exploring roads she could never access with her Prius, it was more than a car; it was her best friend. And then the horrific accident happened. 

She says, "I was excited; my Grandparents gifted me a 2024 Subaru Outback - As I lay on my side after a huge crash, I screamed because of my anguish for losing the car I loved so much." 

Another Subaru Survival Story

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. 

She says, "My Engine dropped out of the way, every airbag went off, and I'm alive because of my Subaru Outback. 

Dear Subaru, I Walked Away

What happens when a 2014 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. Here is Kenzi's incredible story. 

What Makes The Subaru Vehicles Safe?

Here, we tell stories about the Forester Wilderness, Subaru Outback, and Subaru Crosstrek. 

I covered the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness when it was new. The newly-refreshed 2022 Subaru Forester compact SUV earned the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

What does getting the Top Safety Pick+ award mean for customers?

To qualify for the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2022, vehicles must earn good ratings in six IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, including the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests.

They must also be available with a front crash prevention system that earns advanced or superior ratings in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations. For the higher-tier Top Safety Pick+ award, good or acceptable headlights must be standard across all trim levels.

The IIHS says the 2022 Forester compact SUV meets all the criteria for the highest award. Its standard front crash prevention system earns superior ratings in both tests, and all trims are equipped with good-rated, curve-adaptive LED projector headlights.

The 2022 Subaru Forester comes standard with the brand's EyeSight driver-assist system. Subaru models with EyeSight all receive a "Superior" rating in front crash prevention from the IIHS. EyeSight is now standard equipment on all 2022 Forester trim levels.

Conclusion:

Peyton says, "Thank you, Subaru, for saving us."

Have you been in an accident in your Subaru? 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. 

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Subaru USA