French automotive journalist killed in Opel GT

[Boxer2500]

This is always such a bummer to hear. I remember when Don Schroeder of C&D bit it testing a RennTech Benz, and of course we nearly lost Richard Hammond last year. Reporting on a new car is certainly an important service to the public, but it's not worth dying for. May he Rest In Peace.

French Auto Writer Killed in Car Crash
Monday January 29, 3:26 pm ET
French Auto Writer Killed in San Diego County Car Crash While on Promotional Tour

JULIAN, Calif. (AP) -- A French auto writer was killed when he lost control of a 2007 Opel GT convertible on a bend on Highway 78 and landed upside down 100 feet below the winding mountain road, authorities said.

Michel Barelli, 54, apparently died on impact at about 2:10 p.m. Saturday, said California Highway Patrol spokesman Jim Bettencourt.

French media reported that Barelli was a writer for daily newspaper Nice-Matin.

Passenger Patrick Louis, 47, was taken to Palomar Hospital for treatment of facial lacerations. Bettencourt said Louis was expected to make a full recovery.

Barelli and Louis were on a promotional tour with the vehicle and were heading to Julian for lunch when the accident occurred, Bettencourt said.

The two-seater went down an embankment just past a left hand turn about 3 miles east of the community of Wynola Springs, Bettencourt said. He did not know how fast the car was going at the time of the accident.

"That stretch of roadway has twists and turns that could definitely cause some problems if you are not familiar with it," Bettencourt said.

Opel cars are made by General Motors Corporation and are sold across Europe and parts of Asia and Africa.

Bettencourt said investigations were ongoing, but it did not appear that alcohol had played a role in the crash.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070129/french_journalist.html?.v=1

[MG]

were on a promotional tour with the vehicle

Probably NOT what The General had in mind, huh?