---
title: "McLaren 650S Driver Uses Parked Cars as Guardrails Leaving Malibu Car Meet"
description: "A driver with more money than sense punched it straight into parked cars along the Pacific Coast Highway leaving a Malibu meet."
date: "2024-04-11"
modified: "2024-04-11"
authors:
  - name: "Adam Ismail"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/mclaren-650s-driver-uses-parked-cars-as-guardrails-leaving-pch-cars-coffee"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Convertible"
  - "mclaren"
  - "Supercar"
---

# McLaren 650S Driver Uses Parked Cars as Guardrails Leaving Malibu Car Meet

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/11/Screenshot-216-copy.jpg>)
*\<em\>Alexa Dase via YouTube, The Drive\</em\>*

A [McLaren 650S](<https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/13940/using-launch-control-in-a-mclaren-650s-in-a-parking-lot-is-a-very-very-bad-idea>) Spider got perpendicular on the Pacific Coast Highway leaving the Malibu Autobahn Cars & Coffee meetup on April 7. Somebody picked the wrong time to try to show off, and the motorcycle cop in the audience was probably the least appreciative of all.

We've all seen our share of dramatic cars and coffee departures that don't quite go as the driver in question planned. They often involve [Mopars obliterating their shipping-wrapped splitters](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32061/cars-and-coffee-geniuses-roast-dodge-owners-with-pool-noodle-splitter-guards>) on high curbs outside Denny's parking lots. But every so often, someone behind the wheel of a car with a price that woefully exceeds their driving ability loses it, in front of one of the most beautiful backdrops in the country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHXfKBy0WoE

That's exactly what we have here. In the video above, we can see the driver flooring it as they blast down the road, losing the back end against the curb and divider before striking a parked [Infiniti Q50](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/12966/2018-infiniti-q50-red-sport-400-review-running-moonshine-in-a-400-horsepower-saloon>), [Honda Accord](<https://www.thedrive.com/car-reviews/2023-honda-accord-first-drive-review-specs-price-options-impressions>), and [Civic](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/44360/2022-honda-civic-si-review-the-affordable-stealth-fighter>) on the other side of the road.

Thankfully, it seems as though nobody was hurt in the incident. The McLaren driver and its passenger get out of the convertible afterward, and no airbags appear to have popped. The parked cars were seemingly vacant at the time they were hit, and although their owners may be understandably frustrated, it's a fortunate thing those cars were there. There isn't a guardrail along that part of the coastline.

One individual heard speaking in this second video courtesy of Shacked on YouTube says that the driver briefly stopped after the accident because their door was stuck open, before "booking it" down the road.

https://youtu.be/YlIbg6who0o?si=DHzccUEww2CezcCl&t=723

This stretch of the PCH that passes through Malibu and Pacific Palisades, California, where this crash occurred, is known to be particularly dangerous. A *[Los Angeles Times](<https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-10-31/california-save-lives-redesign-pacific-coast-highway-malibu>)* op-ed notes that it has a habit of attracting speeders, resulting in fatal consequences when cars inevitably collide. But as the highway winds between mountains and the shore, there's little room for potentially helpful measures like barriers, sidewalks, and bike lanes. Unfortunately, when you're dealing with someone more concerned with showing off than not hurting themselves or anyone else, even steps like those are unlikely to make a positive difference.

*Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/aismail.bsky.social>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/pioneerspine/>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/aismail1/>)