Never OT: ALWAYS ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT
Sorry if not allowed, but felt the need to share.
On Saturday, I had just picked my son up from a celebration lunch from his Freshman Football Team having gone 7-0, outscored their opponents 295-14, and winning their first ever League Title.
Travelling Southbound on a two-lane road and making a turn into our subdivision. Plenty of clearance from the northbound car so began a "normal" turn.
That "normal" turn turned into an OH SHIT turn as my son and I saw the car BEHIND the first car get impatient, and swing around onto the shoulder and accelerate wildly to pass the front car.
Apparently, he also had quite a bit to drink clouding his judgement and probably his belief that he could make it this time.
He even then apparently floored it, so he could 'beat' me to the turn.
He didn't beat me, and he did NOT make it. He was not wearing a seatbelt, and when his car was flipped 8 times - he was thrown from the vehicle and into an electrical pole. He sadly passed away 4 rooms down from me in the ER.
We are both home now - happy to be alive. If I hadn't seen him, and hadn't floored it myself - 6-8 inches to the front and my 15-year old son would be gone too.
TL;DR - Wear your damn seatbelts
October 6th, 2020 at 4:20 PM ^
Oh, wow. I'm almost shaking myself reading that. Sooooo glad you and your son are okay. (You are okay, right?)
October 6th, 2020 at 5:35 PM ^
Battered and bruised but as of now ok physically.
Mentally? Idk. I've never been responsible for someone dying before (inadvertent or not) and its killing me.
October 6th, 2020 at 4:21 PM ^
We know you already know this...but even if you feel "fine" now, it is absolutely normal to have variations on PTSD suddenly come on later and always OK to ask for help or therapy and absolutely no one should tell you to "get over it".
October 6th, 2020 at 4:38 PM ^
Yeah this is an incredibly traumatic event. For OP and his son, make sure to take care of any mental trauma that may arise from this as well, because this is a heavier thing to deal with than most people ever do. Glad to hear OP and son are okay physically.
October 6th, 2020 at 4:39 PM ^
Jesus, that dude must have been fucking bombed.
October 6th, 2020 at 5:32 PM ^
People at the scene were saying they could smell the alcohol from 5-10 feet away.
Two bars are nearby. They are checking into who may have served him.
October 6th, 2020 at 4:51 PM ^
Wow, I thought that was the other guy's car. You are lucky indeed.
"Today is the first day of the rest of your life." For real.
Thank you for sharing and reminding us all of how important seat belts and alert, defensive driving is.
October 6th, 2020 at 5:15 PM ^
I don't know why but I thought this was a Buckle Up post but even better than a commit is that I am glad everyone is safe!
October 6th, 2020 at 6:10 PM ^
October 6th, 2020 at 6:44 PM ^
Glad you and your son are OK. I hope you and your son come away mentally OK.
Sorry for the loss of life to the other driver.
Be smart on the road everyone!
October 6th, 2020 at 7:14 PM ^
Only thing more reckless than reckless driving is Freshman Football in the time of corona. Amirite?
October 6th, 2020 at 8:08 PM ^
Two good reminders re: seat belts and drunk driving. Sorry to hear of the accident, happy to hear you and your son got through it.