The dashcam owner says they’re looking down the barrel of $3,000 in damages and, likely, weeks, if not months, in the shop.
Cookeville-area driver and Redditor /u/Wolftendragon shared frustrating dashcam footage from earlier at the end of January (Jan 31, 2026) to the /r/IdiotsInCars subreddit showing a distracted driver, likely on their phone, rear-ending OP, who was patiently waiting for traffic to move in front of them.
Check out the rear dashcam footage provided below with the original Reddit thread linked here.
The incident happened in the 1000 Block of Willow Ave just before the intersection with Interstate Dr & Foreman Dr. (Exact location on Google Maps linked here.)
As the dashcam shows, OP is headed northbound on TN-135/ S Willow Ave before she slows to a stop in the right turn lane towards Interstate.
A driver in a white Subaru Legacy can be seen in the provided rear view changing lanes into the turn lane OP is in, approaching OP’s rear bumper, and showing no signs of slowing.
Likely distracted by what was on their phone and not the road ahead, the Subaru driver rear-ends OP’s vehicle at what looks like around 10 MPH.
Thankfully, the damage was mostly cosmetic, and the distracted driver was level-headed enough to stop to exchange insurance information.
OP shared the extent of the damage below.
“At least 3K at the minimum for me 💀,” OP replied to a comment asking the extent of the damage.
“The entire section of that fender needs to be replaced, along with the mudflap, and the entire bottom half of the bumper. Thankfully, my hatchback door and brake light were spared.”
“Thank goodness for dash cams. Glad you are ok. I would have had the exact same reaction. LOL,” /u/ImpossiblePlan65 added.
In Cookeville, TN (and statewide), a distracted driving (hands‑free law) violation — like texting or holding a phone while driving — is typically a Class C misdemeanor with a fine up to about $50 for a first offense, increasing to $100 for repeated violations or if it causes a crash and up to $200 in school/work zones. (www.drivinglaws.org)
Such a ticket usually adds about 3 demerit points to your Tennessee driving record, which can contribute to license suspension if you accumulate too many. (www.drivinglaws.org)
