Driver returns to Planet Hyundai after accident

Gaming executive Josh Charette can testify about the safety of Hyundai.

After being rear-ended by two cars while driving his 2012 Hyundai Elantra, he escaped serious injuries and marched back to Planet Hyundai Centennial to buy another car.

“I was on the Spaghetti Bowl on April 19 when a Toyota Corolla rear-ended me at about 60 mph,” said Charette, who was just about stopped when the accident took place. “The guy behind me wasn’t paying attention. I think he was on his cellphone at the time.”

Shortly later, a Lexus joined the fray when it also crashed into Charette’s car. Charette found that the Elantra absorbed the second hit, too.

“The rear end of my car was pretty banged up, but the impact really didn’t do that much damage to the front of my car. The truck and trunk lid were in bad shape, but other than that, I was very lucky,” he said. “All three cars were totaled, but mine took the worst of the damage.”

Charette was taken to the hospital for observation, but said, “I wasn’t hurt that badly. although I did have some spine injuries.”

Once he was cleared to leave the hospital, he headed to see his friend and sales consultant David Spence at Planet Hyundai Centennial.

“Hyundai has great safety features and that’s exactly why I went back for another one,” he said.

“This time, Charette purchased a 2011 Sonata with full wraparound certified coverage.

“I have to give Spence all of the credit,” Charette said. “He introduced me to the Hyundai to begin with. At the time, I had an old Saturn with 250,000 miles and it was dying. I was in bad need of a car and Spence pointed the way. He’s a great guy.”

Charette said he is fascinated with Hyundai’s complete package.

“They have everything including SiriusXM radio, and the technology is very cool,” said Charette, a Whittier, Calif., native, who travels to the Golden State often. “The Hyundai handles so well on the road and even during windstorms.”

He said his car gets about 32 mpg combined with city and highway driving.

Planet Hyundai Centennial is at 6200 Centennial Center Blvd.

Also included under the Planet Hyundai umbrella is Planet Hyundai Sahara at 7150 W. Sahara Ave and the Planet Hyundai Used Car Superstore at 7100 W. Sahara Ave.

For more information, visit www.planetlv.com or call 702-483-2200 (Centennial) or 702-938-1400 (Sahara).