Thursday, March 19, 2009

My heart is still pounding

Last night on my way home from work I watched an accident happen – less than 10 feet from my car.

I was just 2 streets away from home, which reminded me of when I was a fresh-faced 16-year-old driver and my mother would remind me that most accidents happen within a mile of your house.

It was dark, and I was on a heavily traveled 4 lane road (2 lanes on each side) and I was turning left.

A car coming towards me was also turning left onto the street across from the one onto which I was attempting to turn. I couldn't go anywhere because there were still cars coming towards me in the second lane. I was waiting patiently as the guy across from put his blinker on and didn't really attempt to slow down at all.

I remember thinking, after this car on my right I can give his the flash that it's clear to go.

But he didn't wait for my flash, he just turned. It was like my mind was in slow motion.

OMG, he's turning.
He didn't even really slow down.
The car on my right is totally going to hit him.

And hit him she did. She slammed into him going about 45mph. He had turned far enough so she that smashed into his rear passenger door. She pushed his car a little bit. My car shook a little from the impact.

I was frozen. My heart was throbbing in my throat, trying to escape my chest.

My first thought was, please please please, don't anybody hit ME trying to avoid this accident.

My second thought was, I hope they're okay.

A young guy jumped out from the car that had been hit. He seemed to be okay and was repeating, "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

A woman then got out of her car screaming, "What the hell is wrong with you? Didn't you see me?" (obviously, he didn't) "What the hell is wrong with you?"

There was finally a break in traffic and I turned left and the hell outta there. The kid was pulling out his cellphone, presumably to call the cops. Or perhaps a really good lawyer.

5 comments:

Little Ms Blogger said...

How scary and I'm glad no one was hurt.

The Sorority said...

That is so scary - glad you are OK! With the new job I drive a lot more and every day I cross my fingers that I can go another day without an accident.

Tasha said...

So scary! Glad you and the two other drivers are all ok!

angelsroy33 said...

The worst feeling in the world. I have been there,(seeing an accident,) and I never want to see another one again. Glad they were both OK, and you got home safely. You should have a little cocktail to calm the nerves,(or whatever it is that will calm you.For me it would be hanging with my kitty-cat.)Take care.

Sarah Elizabeth said...

Oh my gosh. My heart started beating faster just reading that. Scary.