Exit 26

A few weeks ago, I decided to give my daughter and son-in-law my car.  I left work early to pick up my new car and finalize everything which would enable them to take my old car.

All of my plans changed right before Exit 26 on I75N.

I drove along on I75 North, from work,  with my speed control set at 70 mph while enjoying a private Jermey Camp concert sponsored by Spotify.  I wasn’t even half way home when I felt this weird push.  I wasn’t sure what was happening.  I looked over to my right and found a man driving a grey/silver vehicle staring directly at me.  His car was pointing directly at me vs driving straight down the expressway.  He was spinning out of control and I was eerily calm.  

There was one moment when I sensed I wasn’t going to make it and I thought “Oh God, help me. I’m not ready to die.”  After that moment, the other driver spun, literally spun, away from me and off of the expressway into the ditch.  I somehow  pulled over onto the shoulder.

When I got out of my car, a calmness fell over me.  Either that or I told myself to get it together.  Possibly a combination of the two.

I wasn’t crying.  I wasn’t angry.  I wasn’t anything…other than okay.  I was okay.  I don’t even have words to explain it.  I wanted to cry.  I tried to cry.  I couldn’t cry.  I was completely calm.  So weird.  Any who, I digress…

Another car had pulled over behind me and one in front of me, so I got out of my car and headed back towards the car which hit me and was somewhere in the ditch.  I had no idea what was going to happen or what I was walking towards, but back I went.  Only when I was walking did I think about calling 911.  So back to my car I went.  My phone was still connected to the USB…. I grabbed it, tried to unlock it while quickly walking back to the other driver who’s condition was unknown.  

I came upon the SUV which pulled over and saw/confirmed that the woman was on the phone with 911.  I stopped fumbling with my phone and on I went, back towards the other vehicle.

Before I knew it there were four people on the side of the expressway I was walking towards.  I asked how the driver was and the tallest young man said that he was driving.  I asked if he was okay and he said he wasn’t.  I looked him up an down and he had some, what looked like brush scratches on his calves and his socks were wet.  He had on some what I call shower sandals and had walked out of a ditch, so those scratches were to be expected.  Other than that, he appeared okay.  I asked again if he was alright and he said no.  

At this point, I’m thoroughly confused.  The other driver didn’t know he hit my car. How could this be?  Then he states he’s been drinking and that he’s in trouble.  Without thinking I tell him he’s right. He says he’s gotta go and I tell him he’s not supposed to leave the scene of an accident.  But off he goes running up the on ramp of Exit 26.

The car that stopped in front of me followed after the driver.  The two women who stopped behind me, stayed.  I thank them continuously throughout the remainder of this saga for staying.

I call the Rockwood Police station to let them know the other driver ran off.  They indicate that they will let the responding officer know.  

We wait.  And wait.  And wait for what seemed like an eternity.  We hear sirens.  Then we don’t.  Several minutes later a Sherif SUV, a fire response unit and two fire trucks arrive.  It’s me and two witnesses…the other couple left after the driver ran off.  

The Sheriff comes up to us and I start talking to him.  I identify the man in the back of his SUV as the other driver.  I supply the information he requests.  He tells me I can leave.

Hmmmm….that’s it?  It was very anti-climatic.  

Two things for certain…. One, I will never come up on Exit 26 the same.  And, two, I will never doubt the power of our Lord.