Sad news comes out of Detroit, Michigan, in regards to the recent purchase of a black 2003 Mercury Marauder, a sporty four-door sedan that deceivingly packs a punch under the gas pedal.

Although warned over and over about the car’s powerful capabilities from the seller, a man said to be in his early 20’s purchased the Marauder with two of his buddies in tow. The three men were seen cruising around town at speeds reaching 100 miles per hour. Less than an hour later, that joyride abruptly stopped when the sporty sedan hit a tree and burst into flames killing all three men inside.

While watching the video, it’s clear that the crash could have been prevented if traveling at the posted speed limit. A high rate of speed was to blame for the lack of control, and it is clear that it happened in a residential neighborhood with the wreckage against a tree that sits directly in front of a home. The speed was said to be between 80 mph – 100 mph at the time of the crash.

“The young man came, looked at the car, came back with the money, bought the car and left,” says the woman who was selling the car. “I warned him about the car. I told him it was a fast car, but not exceptionally fast. It has a Cobra engine in it. I said, ‘Be careful.’ It is a four-door sedan and looks like an old man’s car. But it is a powerful car. … I can’t even tell you how bad I feel. I told him to be careful with that car.”

The Marauder is a four-door sedan, and a sportier version of its kin which includes the Mercury Grand Marquis, Lincoln Town Car, and Crown Victoria. Packed under the hood is a naturally aspirated 4.6-liter DOHC V-8, as seen in the Mach 1 Mustangs, and generates 302 horsepower and 318 lb-ft of torque straight out of the gate.

We can all agree that it always feels good to cruise in a “new” car and show off, especially one with a bit of power under the right foot, but one should learn the power of the car before pushing it to its limit. That limit also shouldn’t be pushed inside a residential neighborhood, but on a track.

Our thoughts and prayers go out the the families of these three young men following this tragic accident, with a reminder to be safe this Holiday Season.