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Kyle McPhee of Vehicle Identification Specialists has a tough job. His company, which operates out of Lansing, Michigan, forensically examines and identifies cars, often in the event of vandalism, theft, or a terrible car accident. The most recent car crash shared on the VIS social media accounts is a badly damaged 2016 Honda CR-V.

The vehicle was involved in a high-speed head-on collision. Due to the level of damage, VIS was called out to determine the vehicle identification number (VIN).

The TikTok post already has over two million views. You can see the walkaround of the wrecked vehicle embedded below.

A car crash scene in close view of person standing waist down broken cars and car parts on ground
SCM Jeans via iStock

“I have been doing this work over 30 years, this is the worst crash damage I have seen in decades.”

The 2016 Honda CRV was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recipient. The award is only given to vehicles the IIHS deems as having optimal front crash prevention. Unfortunately, a head-on collision at over 100 mph completely obliterated the car up to the rear wheels and trunk.

Kyle was able to identify the vehicle by lifting a section of the passenger-side flooring. The sheet metal had a factory stamp.

“I’ve never seen anything this bad in 31 years, folks,” Kyle says towards the end of the walkaround.

@vehicleidspecs

Today I saw the worst crash damage vehicle I have seen in 31 years! #vindoctor #crash

♬ original sound – VehicleIDspecs

The higher the speed, the more energy to absorb in a car crash

The IIHS reports that with each increased interval in speed, there is an exponentially higher amount of energy that would need to be absorbed and dissipated upon impact. If you go from 40 mph to 60 mph, a 50% increase in speed, kinetic energy actually boosts 125%.

In 2021, 29% of vehicle fatalities in the U.S. were related to speeding. This accounted for over 3,500 deaths.