'Nothing Prepared Me for That:' Honda Civic Driver ‘Runs Over’ Curb. Then She Steps Out, Looks Down

• Honda

A woman went viral for revealing how a quick run-in with a curb ended with a literal tree log wedged under her car.

TikTok creator Esmerelda (@esmeraldamanilla) says she was driving to her sister’s house when she hit a curb. She admits the crash sounded “bad,” like her car might be seriously damaged. When she got out to check, she found a full log stuck under the front passenger-side tire.

“Me walking into my sister’s house, telling her the car is making a weird noise,” she writes in the caption. “I’m just a girl.” Her clip has since garnered over 4.3 million views.

How Did the Log Get There?

In a follow-up video, Esmerelda explains how the log got there. On July 2, her husband was changing the oil when “the ground was soft,” and the car slipped. Her mom grabbed a log from a pile they’d saved after cutting down a dying oak tree earlier in the year, wedging it under the car “in case it falls again.”

“The car didn’t fall anymore,” Esmerelda says . When they finished, they just left the log sitting a few feet from the car.

A few days later, her sister went to drive it and heard a “funny noise.” At first, Esmerelda didn’t see anything on the driver’s side—but when she checked the passenger side, she realized she’d driven right over the log and backed up, wedging it into the wheel.

Luckily, nothing was seriously damaged. “The car is fine now,” she says. “It’s in good condition.”

How Do I Fix This If It Happens To Me?

If you ever find yourself in Esmerelda’s situation, the first step is to stay calm and make sure the car is safely turned off and in park. Engage the parking brake so the car doesn’t roll while you work. Check that no one—pets included—is around the vehicle before you start.

You’ll need to make some clearance before you can pull the log free. Use a car jack to lift the wheel just enough to get space, and if you’re going to be under the car for more than a few seconds, set jack stands for safety.

Once you have room, try to slide the log out by hand or with a shovel. Go slow so you don’t scrape or damage anything underneath. If it’s wedged tight, avoid forcing it—pushing too hard can bend or break something expensive.

When the log is out, take a quick look at the tire and wheel to be sure nothing was damaged. If the log is too big to budge or you feel uncomfortable lifting the car, call a tow truck or roadside service and let the professionals handle it.

But What If I Did Really Hit A Curb?

If you’ve actually hit a curb, it’s smart to give your car a quick check before you keep driving. CarStar recommends inspecting the tire and wheel on the side you hit closely. Bulges, cuts, or cracks in the sidewall are big red flags and can lead to a blowout. Take a glance at the rim too—any bends or cracks can throw off your alignment.

If everything looks okay, but you want to be sure, take the car to a safe location, such as a parking lot, and drive in a straight line. Pay attention to whether the steering wheel stays centered or if the car pulls to one side. That can be a sign of suspension or wheel bearing damage.

And if something seems off—or you don’t trust what you’re seeing—it’s better to have a mechanic check it out before a minor issue turns into an expensive repair.

Viewers Express Disbelief at Woman’s Predicament

Even though Esmerelda has updated concerned commenters that her car is safe and drivable, many were still reeling from the initial shock of seeing a full tree log stuck under her wheel.

“Oh baby, NOTHING prepared me for that,” one person wrote.

“Girl, I have about 5 questions,” another said.

“I… I was prepared for anything… but THAT,” added a third.

“What in the Final Destination did you do?!???” a fourth person questioned.

Some commenters joked that drivers like Esmerelda make them nervous to get behind the wheel themselves, while others suggested she take a break from driving altogether.

“Lmk when you on the road so I know to stay home,” one person commented.

“You just need to put your keys on the counter, darlin,” another echoed.

“You might be safer away from the wheel, idk,” added a third.

Motor1 has reached out to Esmerelda via a direct message on TikTok. We’ll update this if she responds.