Help I have a 2002 Hyundai G that was running.

Help I have a 2002 Hyundai G that was running great, then the other day all hell broke loose. I will start off with saying the car was on empty and had been running low for a few days, only putting a gallon or two two a day, so with that in mind, I was leaving my driveway with ice on the ground, and in an hurry floored it. Well I was in a hurry to the gas station for my quick gallon to get me where I was going. Anyway I gunned it sliding on the ice, tcs kicked in and once I had traction back and tired to accelerate at a normal speed I immediately noticed a problem. I could not accelerate, not past 20mph. Then it dies. I restated just long enough to get me a couple blocks to gas station and still not over 20 mph. Using the few dollars I had I got maybe a gallon in gas, I started car & noticed I still could not accelerate over 20mph but there was also a thumping like vibration that would get worse as I tried to accelerate. Knowing I had a real problem, I opted to drive under 20mph to a friend house maybe they could help me with whatever was happening. Unfortunately no one was there and I was stuck. Then along comes my next bad decision, which was to drive again under 20mph and try to make it home. Well that never happened. I pulled off the road a couple times to let traffic by and tried to coast most of the way then car dies, and yes traffic was coming. I tried to start it a couple times and nothing no turn over or even clicking, then last try it starts still not accelerating and in a panic as traffic was descending I managed to get turned on a side street and as I tried accelerated to pull to the curb. Boom there was a loud, very loud pop or bust sound with a flash of what looked like fire and smoke. I immediately put the car in park a jumped out. A neighbor ran out after he heard the explosion and said he heard the car pounding or thumping as I was coming closer and when he looked out to see what the. He saw the car then expelling smoke. He said he could smell plastic? And we felled the hood, it was not hot.

Then I was done, the neighbor let me use his phone and I got ahold of someone to take me home, leaving the car sit. The next day a friend who owns a body shop said he would tow it off the street and take a look. When he called me later he said the radiator had exploded, that literally the whole top part of the radiator looked like a shot gun was used, with pieces all over the engine. Now he is replacing the radiator but since he is an auto body guy he says he cannot help me out past that.

So my question is. What have I done? I am assuming the radiator overheated due to my insisting it continue to run with such an obvious problem? Any ideas what I should expect once I can have a mechanic look at it? I have read a few things online that suggest catalytic converter, is this a possibility? And after the radiator is fixed and goes to the mechanic it seems obvious that it should be towed to the mechanic and not try to make it by driving slowly? Well just thought I should ask considering. Sorry for the humor.

Thank you I appreciate any thoughts. Even a good. Wth were you thinking