Surreal night

[TracyTN 237]

Right now, I feel lucky to be able to post this.

Last night, on our way back from Nashville after an Arbonne meeting, Chas and I were involved in an accident on interstate 40.

We were doing exactly 70 mph along a straight section of the interstate in the pouring rain. We were slowly moving past a semi on our right hand side. As we looked forward through the wind shield we both gasped when we noticed that the car wasn't moving exactly forwards. It's difficult to explain but we both felt the car wasn't moving right. Turns out we were aqua-planing. Because we were right beside the semi, and basically sitting beside his back end, the turbulence from it was pulling the front of the car underneath. Even though this movement was slow and I had time to think and react, the steering was loose and brakes useless. It took about 2 or 3 seconds and we were travelling sideways with the hood of the car underneath the semi. Then we slowed, (I presume because the tires now started to contact the road again), and something underneath the semi just in front of the rear wheels then smashed through our wind shield. We were then being dragged along, under a semi for a few seconds. Then we slowly began to spin free, spinning to our left until we were pointing back up the interstate.

We stopped rotating, (it was more rotating than spinning because it was so slow), but we were still moving, (I guess at about 40 or 50 mph), but backwards. We slid across the lanes towards the shoulder where the car hit one of those mobile orange signs with the "ticker tape" type message board on broadside and stopped there.

We checked each other to make sure we were ok. We were shaken but seemed to be fine. The car was a mess and Chas had to climb out of the broken window (I eventually crawled out the back passenger's door - it would actually open). We called the police. The semi never stopped. I guess he didn't even know it had happened. No-one who saw it happen stopped. I guess they were too busy to check whether we needed help. While I was talking to the Highway Patrol on the phone, a car stopped with a family in to check we were ok. Chas told them yes we were fine. We thought that maybe some small pieces of glass may have gone into my eyes (still feels like sand in there a little), but the paramedic later said it was all clear. The driver of the family who stopped pointed to Chas' hand and said he was bleeding. He has a deep gash on his finger. Police, Highway Patrol and an ambulance arrived. Did the administration and checked us out. All was ok.

My brother in law is a sheriff's Deputy, and he arrived as a tow truck got there too. He brought us home and the car is being taken to a garage. We shook out the glass from our hair and clothing, showered and hugged each other thankful to still be alive. Not many people go under the rear wheels of a semi and tell the tale.

Today we have to sort it all out, insurance, accident report, replacement car etc. Chas is sleeping now - he didn't come to bed until 4 am. I only managed to get about 3 hours sleep, but at least I can work from home today. He may have slight whiplash.

I'm just glad to be able to tell the tale. It still all seems a bit surreal. The car can be fixed (or replaced) but I want to see it today to be extra grateful for having walked away from it. I guess anytime you go under a semi and live to tell about it, you're doing okay...!

[tomsandi 0]

Wow this sounds awful. I'm so glad you are all ok (except for the finger). Sorry about your car tho. What is a semi?

[TracyTN 237]

LOL sorry, a lorry.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Wow, that must've been so incredibly scary! Glad to hear you are both okay.

[JandC 0]

Dang....thats scary stuff! I'm so glad you are both okay.

[Otto 83]

Public safety message from a tire company.. go figure..

Glad you're ok..

[Jeraly 4]

Wow - that sounds horiffic - I am so glad you are ok. Worst accident my car was ever in was when it was stolen How amazing that you got away so lightly *hugs*

[*julez* 124]

Oh Tracy! I am so glad that you and Chas are both OK! What a scary experience. You are truly lucky that you both walked away, essentially unharmed. I'm sorry that no one stopped to help you, but really not surprised. Most people only care about themselves these days.

Thank God you guys are OK, though! You know you're one of my all time VJ faves and I've been so happy to see you posting here more often!

[jodee 30]

OMG,..Tracey, so glad to hear you and Chas are ok, after that awful ordeal. I hope his finger will be ok. It was disappointing to read that no one stopped to help.

Hugs

Jodee

[rebeccajo 14]

OMG...........

[Jenn! 918]

Oh wow, Tracy I'm so glad you guys are ok! Take it easy today.

[*JG* 2]

I've been on that stretch of highway and 70 mph would scare me in perfect driving conditions.

Glad everyone is okay.

[barrel_roll 0]

The semi never stopped. I guess he didn't even know it had happened. No-one who saw it happen stopped. I guess they were too busy to check whether we needed help.

For ####'s sake. What is the matter with people? I'm glad you're both okay, mate, that sounds horrific.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

God, that sounds frightening.

Glad to hear you and Chas are both okay and unharmed.

[MaryandMian 1]

Tracy you and Chas are very lucky and am glad to hear that you both walked away from this accident.