Sam has been gone several days. His job took him to SE Arkansas on a contract. They expected to be gone until Friday or Saturday, but things went quite smoothly, and he returned late Wednesday night. I saw him briefly Thursday morning as he prepared to go to work. Thursday nights, he has class. I waited up until he got home, just because I sleep better knowing he is home safely. This morning, he left for work at his usual time: 6:38 AM. At a wee bit after 7:00, Daniel got a call. Sam had been in an accident. He was at a small convenience store less than 5 miles from the house. He assured Dan that "everyone" was OK. I was ready for work, but didn't need to leave until 20, 25 after 7. So Dan and I went to pick Sam up... I thought. Oh my.
We arrived just as a first responder got there. The F.R.'s wife hadn't seen the actual accident, but was there within seconds. She called her husband, who was locally located. Sam's truck had a broken drive shaft, and the leaf springs were completely sprung, driven into the suspension system. His tailgate was knocked off, and his back seat access door wouldn't open on the driver's side. A long crease from the driver's door all down the driver's side of the truck was apparent. He was facing the direction he had come from. While it is "unofficial", I know his truck is totaled. The young woman who hit him, and her passenger were OK. She was driving a newer car, 2016! Her front driver's side wheel is crushed completely backwards and around, preventing the driver's door from opening.
While Sam's airbags didn't deploy... ALL of hers did. Sam said, as he was headed to work, in the straightaway approaching a sharp curve/ turn, this car was already coming out of the turn. He saw a car in his lane. And thought... That car is in my lane. Followed instantly by THAT CAR IS!! IN!!! MY!!!!! LANE!" He swerved towards the ditch/ edge of the parking lot of the convenience store that is on the inside of the corner/ curve of the highway. The impact spun his truck 180*, but he avoided a head on collision. As soon as his truck stopped moving, he leaped out to check on the other people.
Sam said he was afraid of what he would find. The driver's door wouldn't open- the wheel bent around, driven against it at an impossible angle, so he ran to the passenger side. The passenger got out and tried to assist the driver. She was very dazed. Her cell phone was in the glove box! They had been headed home from an overnight shift at a nursing home., Whether it was miscalculation or a micro nap, we can only guess. Her side airbag had gone off first slamming her sideways into the steering wheel, where she hit her head. then the steering wheel airbag deployed, smacking her backwards. THEN the rear airbags deployed. It looked like she had curtains in her car. Neither she, her passenger, nor Sam felt the need to go to the hospital at the time. As it turned out later, the young lady has a concussion and did require some medical treatment. It took the highway patrol almost an hour to arrive... we were almost to the state line in a low population county at 7:00 in the morning. Thankfully, the young woman was fully insured. I am glad Sam was paying strict attention to his driving. Thankful the young woman was not on her phone. (Daniel, Sam and this young woman are committed to not texting while driving!) Sam kept trying to reassure the woman, (and her mother, who showed up a bit after I did) that he was NOT angry. Accidents happen. Vehicles are replaceable. All the people are OK! He said to me, now he doesn't have to be concerned about the wiring short that has caused some glitches in his truck over the last few months! I pointed out to him, he had NOT just gotten new tires and a new windshield, which he had planned to do THIS weekend! (After postponing the purchase last weekend!) So... Vehicle shopping.
Daniel had a minor incident last week... his truck has been in the shop this week. His airbag deployed when the struck a concrete culvert, having turned too sharply on a wet road. No one was injured, and other than needing the airbag and related mechanisms replaced, little damage was done.
The incident this morning made me late for work. The co-workers conspired, and a bored spring break high schooler daughter was drafted into dishwashing. I arrived, and found things well under control... but, since they were... could I work night shift as fish fryer? The boss was going to cover it, but also has a funeral in Kansas tomorrow. (I fried fish tonight.) All things worked together for good!
Sam had been THINKING of buying a new vehicle... but had pretty well decided to just hang on to the truck as long as it was running. He's been saving for a new vehicle for quite awhile. Now, he has no other option... but he does have money saved. So... it's just now "tomorrow". I am nearly wound down enough to sleep... if the arthritis allows! (I can TELL I fried fish tonight!)
Be blessed, thanks for reading!
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