Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Close Call

It was very foggy this morning and I was driving my morning commute into work on I430 (South). I430 is 3 lanes across and I was in the left hand lane and had just went over the river bridge. There was a pickup truck that was riding my tail all the way across the bridge. I was doing 72 in a 65. At times, I couldn't see this guy's headlights because he was so close to me. Well, I guess he decided that he wanted to go faster and he attempted to pass me.

He swerved into the lane on the right of me and the next thing I see in my rear view mirror is him spinning around and his truck hitting the wall a few times. His truck finally came to a stop and I couldn't see if he had hit the car that was in that lane or had managed to dodge them.
I couldn't pull over to see if he was okay because there was no median. So, I called 911 from my cell phone. I decided that was probably quicker than my OnStar (trust me, I've used OnStar before).

There is a guy who also works here to has the same commute and I asked him if he saw a 2nd car and he said he did but he couldn't tell if they had been hit or had just pulled over to help - since they were on the other side of the interstate on the right hand median. He also said that the truck was still in the lane against the wall - blocking most of that lane. It being so foggy - if someone's not paying attention, I'm sure that's another accident waiting to happen.

So, I definitely had a close call this morning. That guy was just inches away from my back bumper - he could've easily clipped me, causing me to spin around and hit that wall too.

I said a prayer for him and the other car (if there was one) and I feel slightly at peace since I called 911, but I do still feel like I should've found a spot to pull over. I just pray the driver(s) is alright. I gave the 911 dispatch great directions - for once I actually knew if I was going North or South and I knew the exit number this all happened near. The Lord knew I needed to pay attention this morning and know these things.

I was just thinking this morning about how hectic my life (and hub's) has been and how I wished things would slow down some. I guess this just brought me back to reality and how I need to be thankful for every second - no matter how hectic.

Edited to Add: The news has said that they've closed that bridge now due to "frozen fog." It was 28 degrees this morning, but now I wonder if he hit another car or if he hit a patch of frozen fog... Also to note, there are now around 6 wrecks on that bridge. This morning was definitely a close call.

15 comments:

Allie said...

Glad you are okay and I really hope everyone involved in the accident was okay. It's always scary when you're that close to an accident.

Kerrie T. said...

How scary! I'm glad you are OK.

Morgan said...

So glad you are ok girl!

Marlene said...

Scary! Thank goodness you weren't involved in an accident... I hope the other drivers are okay. Be safe out there!

Q, La, and Gooner said...

Wow, way to be smart and quick thinking! I'm so glad that you are ok! And way to go on the directions instead of saying, "Um, I'm on a road." :) I pray the rest of the bridge folks are safe!

Lindsey said...

Oh my goodness! I'm glad you're ok!

d.a.r. said...

Freezing fog is super scary!! I am so glad you are okay!

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

I'm so glad you're okay! That guy should not be driving that way in that kind of weather!

Lisa said...

Oh my goodness! So glad you are okay but what was he thinking tailing you like that???

Casey said...

dude, that's so crazy. for real. i hate stuff like that. good thing you were safe!!

Brandi said...

Glad you were ok and hopefully the driver of the truck was as well. There were times this morning I was getting frustrated in the traffic, knowing I was going to be late to my meeting. I found peace in knowing that at least I hadn't been in an accident and that no matter the amount of time it was going to take me, the building would still be there. Why waste all my energy on something I couldn't control.

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

oh my goodness, I'm glad you're ok! that is so scary!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

Amazing how something like that can bring you back down to reality. UGH.. I am so glad you are OK.

Lindsey said...

girl that is some crazy business right there!! I'm glad you are alright!

Run Jess Run said...

I saw something simliar to that a few years ago on my way to work, but the guy who spun out hydro-planed because it was raining & he really wanted to pass everyone.