The Accident

First: Thank you to each one of you who have been outpouring love, and hugs... and just support and prayer in this time. I am so very blessed to have you in my life. So thank you. For those who know tidbits, and those who know it all... here is a recap:

Friday night I was driving home from work. For those in the SLO area I take Price Canyon out to 227 and back. On my way home I get on the 101 from Price Canyon and it was a little trafficky, but nothing too bad for SLO (Rush hour to us is having to go the speed limit and not 80). At around 4th St. exit I see it slowing, and within seconds everything jumbles together. I instantaneously realize how close I really am to these "slowing" cars, which are in fact NOT MOVING. So my slowing down was not going to prevent the inevitable. In half a second I realize I am about to slam into the back of a Mercedes at a speed of 60... so I hit the brake one more time and know I am not going to make it... and had to make a choice, pull to the left towards the guard rail (I was in the left lane), or go head on into the back of the Mercedes at around 50MPH.... so I chose the guard rail thinking 10% chance would be to graise it but not hit it. The rear of my car fishtailed and slid down the guard rail as I began to hydroplane. All this is happening in 30 seconds, and while it seems like an instant it also seems like slow mo. I swerved back in the left lane from the impact of hitting the guard rail and see three cars I am about to slam right into. It is truly God who somehow pulled me back to that guard rail (grassy shoulder lane), and to my direct right is the Oak Park off-ramp. I am at a complete stop at this point and the traffic in front of me has started moving again, and "someone" started a small slowing behind me (I wonder who?!?!). First thing I do is scream and slam my head, in complete anger, shock , and whatever else was going through my mind, into my steering wheel. I cal my dad while still in the car... and no answer. So I getout and go right to the front end not a scratch I could see.... I was already crying though hysterically and shaking. I look at the passenger door... all there... and then the rear end... fender, lights, bumper.... and what's udnerneath the fender (frame)..... all bashed in, scratched. I call Kim (she is such a trooper in these moments), and I don't know how much she understood, but according to her it was not a whole lot. She got the part that I had crashed and where I was. Later she said Kristi popped her head out of her room wondering what was happening and all Kim said was "Get your shoes on!".

I remember telling Kim "Bring Kristi... you have to bring Kristi". I knew I could not drive. I was in no condition to drive. So a guy is on the side of the road with me as I am throwing up and cryign and shaking and tells me he is going to stay with me until Kim and Kristi show up. In a matter of 10 seconds sirens are coming from everywhere, and instantaneously they were in front of my car, on the other side of the freeway in the center divider, behind me. The first fireman (from Pismo Fire) pulled me over to the guard rail to lean against. Who would have thought all this for someone who didn't hit another car (Praise God). Right then Kim and Kristi showed up and they were told to stay back. They asked if I had any medical conditions and I let them know I am a heart patient. So they check vitals, blood pressure, pulse... everything. Gave me a bunch of water, that I was not keeping down.

Then the party started. CHP wanted a police report. They asked me "were you wearing your seatbelt?". I told them "Of course, of course". They asked me how fast I was going and I told them "about 70 before I hit the brakes for the traffic". They checked my cell phone log to make sure I was not texting or calling anyone in the time right before accident happened. They asked if I would be claiming the accident, and I said "no, I don't have the coverage". I have PL and PD and that is about it. He said he was taking a report which would also be submitted to Progressive and to DMV. Once they were sure I was okay to leave the scene, they instructed both Kim and Kristi on how to get back into the lane... and Kristi took my car and I rode with Kim. Friday was full of shock and sick to my stomach feelings.

This morning I woke up achy, with a bad headache (light headed ness feeling), and my neck and back are definitely not happy, and still have chest pains from last night (probably from the stress and anxiety). The only decision right now.... I will not be fixing my car. It is driveable. I haven't seen it since the accident, and it is in my garage where I am instructed by my roommates to not go into until Tuesday. My boss and I have talked and he was great about it. Spent the day with a friend who came over from Bakersfield. Being active in something today kept my mind off of it, until the motrin wore off.

In it all... I don't regret the decision I made, or how I initially reacted to the accident in deciding what to hit. Had I hit the car in front I would have no driveable vehicle. Totalled nonetheless... but it is driveable. I thank God (literally) for not ending up in the Ambulance, I thank God for His power in protecting me. I should have clipped a few cars in hydroplaning and I didn't... and I know that was all him.

I thank all of you. This week to come will sure be busy as this stuff will probably be continuing... looks like I will be getting another car... just a few logistics to iron out. If God wills, then it will work out. Thank you for the phone calls, prayers, messages, and all. I am so blessed!!!! Thank you for roommates who dash out of the house to a complete basket case roommate on the phone.