Saturday, December 27, 2008

Crash Bam Boom

So, the three of us were driving down the road, on our way to pick up Geoff's car from the repair shop.
We went round a sharp curve, and continued on. I heard a horrible squeal behind us and I looked in the rear view mirror just in time to see a pickup truck swerving sideways. It over-corrected and then spun in a circle, and finally crashed into a telephone pole.

I slammed on the brakes and threw the car into reverse.
Geoff says that I said, "Oh. My. God."....he thought I had seen a cool bird or something, not realizing that an accident had occurred behind us.

I jumped out of the car as the other driver staggered towards us. Without shoes, and without pants.

He was gasping and was white as a sheet. He leaned on the back window of the car (no doubt scaring the Hell out of Isabelle and Lorelei) and I made him sit down behind the car.
Another car stopped behind us and a woman jumped out. She had training in CPR and First Aid, so she tended to the guy while I called 911. We got the paramedics, police, firemen, and his mother there within 5 minutes.
Turns out this guy was only 16 years old, had only had his license for a few months. He was on his way to his job at the local cinema. I told him the popcorn would definitely have to go on without him today. (That made him smile.)
The impact had torn off his shoes and when he jumped out of the truck, somehow his pants had fallen down.
The police gave me a quick interview, not that I could give them much info. As the interview was ending, one of the firemen turned the ignition on the truck and the radio blared to life....quite loudly. Seems that this young man had his radio at a deafening volume and took the curve too fast, as far as I can tell.
The boy didn't have any major injuries, but he said his back was pretty sore. I don't envy him the full-body aches he's going to have tomorrow.

When all was said and done, I said a few words to the boy's mother. She thanked me for stopping to help her son, and then she hugged me.

I spent most of the rest of the day in a happy glow.
I glimpsed a tiny bit of what the police, firemen and EMT's get to feel every single day. What a rush it must be.

Here's a few photos from the last few days:


Group 2008
My Mom's group of friends, stuck with each other since the late 60's. I think you can tell from the photo who had been drinking and who hadn't.

A yummy appetizer:
Fruit salsa 2
My Fruit Salsa. A healthy choice from Frito's and beer cheese.
Chop up an orange, a few kiwis, a bunch of strawberries and toss in a can of crushed pineapple. Then drizzle with a bit of lemon juice.

Serve it with fresh cinnamon tortilla chips:
Fruit salsa chips
Spread melted butter on regular tortillas, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar , then cut into wedges. Bake them for about 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees.
It is delicious, and this is coming from a person who doesn't really like fruit or veggies.


Me Geoff Lorelei Christmas 2008
(photo by Isabelle)

A fun sight at Kevin-the-brother-in-law's:
White squirrel
In Middletown, Ohio, there is a street populated with all-white squirrels. We had just turned onto the street when I said, "I wish I could see one of those white squirrels..." And there one was, in Kevin's front yard.


Lucy:
Lucy 122708
I love her. Have I mentioned that ever?

Lucys feet
And I even love her feet.
Look at that one toe crossed over another. Reminds me of this photo.

And waiting.....
GHOW nest empty
...for the local great horned owls to get on with it.
(That dark thing in the nest is a branch that has been there since the "hurricane" blew through in September.)
Come mid-January, I will be obsessively checking this nest for a great lump of owl to be sitting on sweet eggs.

11 comments:

Jayne said...

I am sure his mom was more than thankful that you were there. Methinks that he won't be driving as fast in the future with the music blaring? At that age, they feel so very invincible.

The white squirrels are so cool!

Dave Dorsey said...

Kudo's to you for stopping and helping out. Too many people keep on going.

Lucy wants to see the white squirrels also. :)

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Yikes! I still can't quite figure out the pants part...

You are so darned photogenic. Have I ever told you that?

After you blogged about the eagle on your garmin, I downloaded the vehicles to0. I found another bird that looks more like Earl the TV!!

MY GARMIN BIRD'S NEATER THAN YOUR GARMIN BIRD!!!

Susan Gets Native said...

Jayne:
I can't imagine what it feels like to see your child sitting in the road after an accident. Scary beyond words.
The squirrel was cool....like a small cat scurrying about.

Dave:
I couldn't just go on. It's not in me.
Lucy would LOVE a fat juicy white squirrel. Tartar.
:)

Lynne:
The pants thing was weird.
You are very sweet. I think it's the skill of the photographer.
My eagle sort of looks like a TV, too! And it's wings flap when the car moves!

Mary said...

First responders ROCK - Through working with them, I know it's true - police, fire, EMT. I would have hugged you, too, Susan.

And I agree with Lynne - I've never seen a poor photo of you! You are definitely a queen for a camera.

Susan Gets Native said...

Mary:
You know, I thought of you and "Johnson" while all that was going on?
You guys are too good to me and my old mug.
I think that you are a lovely vision, if we are going to pass around the compliments. That profile pic of you with your chin up and that Mona Lisa smile, and your uber-cute hair style....just the prettiest thing.
And I can NOT wait until WV to see that sweet face in person! And make tears squirt out of it with my oh-so-famous antics.
: )

dguzman said...

Way to be a hero for that kid and his mom, Susan.

And admit it--you're sloshed in that top photo, aren't ya?

Julie Zickefoose said...

I would bet that part of that boy is thankful he crunched his truck, lost his pants and shoes and dignity--and nothing else. This takes me back to a high school moment when I took a curve too fast in my '63 Buick (yes, you read right, and yes, it had tailfins) and in a sudden flash realized that I was an idiot, and I could (surprise!!) easily die. That moment comes back to me from time to time when I'm being an idiot, and I am grateful.

I would want you in the next car!

Windyridge said...

White squirrels, how neat! We have black squirels. They are gorgeous.

Kyle said...

Way to go, Susan! That boy (and his dear mother) were very lucky such responsible motorists were there. Hopefully he learned that life lesson through this experience without, as Zick said, losing anything worse than his truck and his dignity. (And I hope the girls weren't too traumatized by the whole pants-less man thing!)

Btw, I love that shot of Lucy. It looks like she's all gussied up and posing for her Christmas portrait. :)

Kathie Brown said...

If you can't tell, I am playing catch up after being gone birding for the past few days. More birds will be showing up on my blog very soon. My, but what a lot of excitement you have been having! That car accident incident would be enough to scare the wits out of you! I'm glad the young man and all of your family are all safe! Keep on glowing!