Yesterday my second car was totaled. My first car, my Pontiac caught fire about 2 years ago and that was totaled. I'm seeing a pattern....I don't like it much.
Here's what happened.
If you are familiar with Modesto, this will make more sense, if you aren't, I will be specific.
So I was on my way to Ripon to join Zechariah at his football game. It was 9 am, so still pretty early for a Saturday. I was going about 45 mph down Keirnan. Rigth past Sisk (going west, towards the highway) there is a Kiernan court. It merges with Keirnan Avenue. Keirnan is a divided street, 2 lanes for each direction. Keirnan court merges going west, but there is a stop sign where they must STOP first, Keirnan is a pretty busy street sometimes. So I had just passed Sisk road and there was a van on Keirnan court going about the same speed, maybe faster but I've never been very good at judging speeds. She was going way too fast to be able to stop.
I was in the lane closest to her, seeing that she wasn't going to stop and was headed towards me, I swerved to the lane over. I was going too fast too be able to stop and didn't think to speed up. She hit me from the side (passenger, thank the Lord!). From there all I saw was white stuff and glass flying everywhere. Once I stopped there was a guy pulled over yelling for people to stop her, "It's her fault! She's under the influence!" That made sense....because before she hit me, I looked at her and there was nothing on her face recognizing that she was not driving safely.
Everyone who was there was so kind! I honestly didn't think there were that many nice people in Modesto, not like that. Sure they'd "care" from the side of the street, but these people were nice. Making sure I was ok, one gave me some gloves so I could climb out of the car without getting more cuts on my hands. One guy shook my coat out. Two Lowe's workers came and called 911 and let me borrow their phone because I couldn't find mine.
This is what my car looked like:
I was in the ambulance at this time. See the medium next to my car? I was on the other side of that, going the opposite way. See how low my car is to the ground? Thats not an easy curb (two in this case) to jump. Apparently I was in the air and nearly flipped over.You can't see if from here, but in the passenger door there is a huge heavy metal bar in the middle of the door going horizontally. If anyone was in the passenger seat, they wouldn't have died, but would have been seriously injured, but if that bar wasn't there, I probably would have been more hurt. Or rather...hurt. I got out with one bruise, 4 little cuts on my hands and another on my face. Thats not hurt.
Back to the "story". They caught the girl that ran from the scene. She made it all the way across the street. (not that far lol). Apparently she was "H&S". Which, I looked up, stands for "Health and Safety". AKA: Illegal Narcotics.
So anyways, rewinding and going to the beginning. I was shaking, and my leg kinda hurt, like I slammed it against of the inside of my car. Once I got out of the car I told someone I needed to find my phone so I can get a hold of my husband. I couldn't find it so I borrowed a phone. Unfortunately I only knew my husbands phone number. And when he plays football, he keeps his phone in his car. So I tried anyways. He didn't answer. Then a guy came up to me and said he was a fireman. He was off duty. He had me sit down. He asked me if I was ok and checked out my neck and back making sure it was straight and stuff. He said that when the EMT's got here they would put me on a gurney and ask if they could take me to the hospital. He said that I should go with him, I just shook my head. Once they did get there, they asked the same questions. The girl asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital. I told her that I felt ok but if they thought I should go, I would go. It was no time for me to be stubborn, though I am never stubborn (.......). She lead me to the ambulance to check my vitals.
I told them that I needed to find my phone because I needed to tell my husband. They said they'd look for it. a few minutes later they brought me my phone. I called Matt. He didn't answer. As I was trying to type in Angel's name, she called me back. I kept it pretty simple, didn't want to give too much away, because I didn't want to freak anyone out. I just told her that I needed her to do me a favor and go get Zech because I was in an accident. She was instantly in business mode, and man I love her for that! She asked what she needed to do. I told her to just get Zech. She told me to not let anyone leave and stay there. I let her know that wouldn't be a problem (considering everyone was already there, except for my family lol). Matt calls me a little bit later and asks if I'm ok. I said I was fine. I told him where I was. He got there first. He's not as good at hiding emotion on his face. Sure he was calm on the outside, but his face showed that he was scared. Zech called me right after Matt got there. I told him I was fine and also where I was. He got there right when I was hopping out of the ambulance. He looked scared too =/.
I got all the info from the CHP officer about what to do with the insurance and gave my statement. This is where I am like my dad, a lot. In time of crisis, do what you need to do, natural instinct kicks in, get it finished. I was detailed and said as many details as I remembered. Then it was over. The tow truck was already there, Matt got all of my stuff out of my car, the lady was taken away already. Then I let my "hold it together mode" down and just cried. I can't believe I was just in an ACCIDENT! It's always just a thing you think about. Driving down the street, thinking "Hmm, what if someone just ran this light and hit me?" It's always a scary thought and I never knew what I would do. I still don't know what I would have done if all those people didn't help me out.
On our way to the cars I told them what happened. I don't think I've ever appreciated my new family as much as I did that moment. They came for me when I needed. I have no words for my gratitude.
Another question people have asked me: She had insurance (as far as i could tell from the EMT's chatting) so I wont need to worry about it. I'm going to try to go to the doctor tomorrow, because I am SOREEEE. Who knew something like this could be so painful the next day! The inside of my throat hurts, I must have been REALLY tense!
All in All: God was definitely protecting me. It's so easy to say "You don't know how long you have", not so easy to live that way, because when those moments come....it is still shocking and kinda...puts you in your place. Makes you enjoy every second with people you love. Makes you stop and think "If I died right this moment, would I be able to say to God that I was living my life for Him?"
Giving my statement and looking at the weird thing on my finger...
Once upon a time, there was a passenger seat right there. It was completely folded in.
This is the lady getting in the police car. I would like to ask that you pray for her. To be that 'gone' that early in the morning...well it makes you think about what kind of life she lived. It makes me wonder what she was doing 10 mins before the accident. Where she came from, there are no houses. Just a couple business and a church. Its not a through street. I wonder if she has good people in her life, Christians. I really wish I had gone and told her that I was upset with her and that I would be praying for her and the next couple days she'd be facing.
My car from the other side and her van. By my wheel in the medium is my sunroof. it simple popped out. Didn't shatter down in the car, the tire is the first thing I saw when the dust settled. No window, makes it easy to climb out of. good thing I'm small =D 
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