PSA

I need to write this post, as therapy for myself, and as a PSA to others. I have to get all of these thoughts and feelings out, because tonight, Kevin and I witnessed a traumatizing event, and I need to share it.

We were driving to a friend's house in New Jersey to attend The Witches Ball in Mount Holly. I was Sally, and I had my makeup all done and I was excited. Last year, we were supposed to go and I was sick, so I couldn't make it.

So Kevin is driving on the highway and some lady speeds up and gets super close to this guy driving a Jeep, basically cutting his off, and this guy in the Jeep throws his hands up like WTF, bangs into the wall, bumps one of those big orange pails, bounces off that and goes directly into a giant parked work truck and the concrete rail. Watching this whole thing happen, I can barely function. He didn't even break, or try to stop his car, so I don't know what happened, but he went full force into the truck and the concrete rail. I'm not sure of the circumstances that technically led to it, but it happened none the less.

Immediately, we stop, as does two other cars who were driving near us and witnessed it too. Kevin jumps out of the car, and I'm dialing 911 immediately. In times of panic, I panic. Kevin springs into action, God Bless his heart, but I think to call for help. I don't know where we are, and the 911 Dispatcher is getting frustrated but I'm trying my hardest, giving him the license plate number of the car, telling him to track my phone, but I don't drive the highway, so I don't know. I asked another woman, and she was able to tell me where we were. Meanwhile, I run over to the car, and Kevin and another gentleman are cutting up the airbags trying to get to the man. The Jeep is completely totaled. His feet are at the drivers side door, his body is parallel to the ground, and his head in on the passenger side floor. No one can see his face, but they're shouting and he's not moving or talking. He was shaking and grunting periodically. In my heart, I'm afraid I am witnessing the death of this man, and I'm losing it.

Kevin is in the car at this point, trying to move parts to get to him, another woman is trying to find a phone to call someone. I tell the Dispatcher we need a paramedic immediately, since the man isn't moving. I'm running back and forth to find an update on him, while looking for the police or anyone to help. The woman couldn't find the gentleman's phone, but she got his Blue Tooth, and hit redial, and it was his mother. I will never forget the sound of his mother's voice, the sheer terror and fear of hearing her son was in an accident, she's screaming and crying and, as I type this now, I cry again. I cannot imagine receiving that phone call. You're going about your day, and you get a phone call from a stranger than someone you love dearly has been in an accident. I pray for all of you and for myself that we may never get that phone call.

I'm a crying mess, at that time and now, as I watch and think about this event that unfolded before my eyes. It almost seemed surreal. There were so many people trying to get this gentleman out of the car, they had the jaws of life, paramedics, police, fire trucks, everything. It was a scene out of a movie, but it wasn't a movie. It was real life, and I don't know what became of the gentleman, since we had to move our cars out of the way so he could get the help he needed, and there was nowhere else for us to go except to go, but my heart breaks for him, and for his loved ones.

This man probably woke up this morning, regular Saturday, doing his thing, and he may never walk again, he may be brain dead, and he may even be dead. A mother may have to bury her son. All I know is that prayers are desperately needed for he and his family, regardless of the outcome. I don't care who or what you pray to, but pray, and pray as hard as you can. My stomach has been in knots all night. I can't get these images out of my mind, and I don't think I ever will. I've never seen anything like it, and I never want to again.

Please, tonight, tomorrow, and every day going forward, hug your loved ones and tell them you love them, stop rushing so damn much, and slow the fuck down. You will get there when you get there, your life and/or the life of someone else isn't worth it. I don't think I'll ever find out what happened to this man, but I want to know so badly. I want to know that he's going to be okay, and that there's no long term damage. I need to believe that. I need to send those good intentions into the world, and hope they'll find their way to him.

Every day we get here on this beautiful planet is a gift, even the shitty ones. Please remember that as you go about your business. You may hate your job, be in debt, and have all sorts of issues, but you're alive, and that's a blessing.

May God Bless you all. ❤️