How a seat belt saved me from a drunk or heavily medicated driver…

I remember in Driver’s Ed, our teacher said most accidents happen in less than a 5 mile radius. It is certainly true; I got hit less than a 2 minute drive from my house.

On Sunday, Dec 22, I was driving home from a shopping trip around 6:30 at night. I was literally with Debbie a few minutes before, laughing and chatting at the mall. I was so excited because I got a sexy new red dress and stripped skirt from Banana Republic for only $22 with tax. I drove home as usual and stopped in the left turn lane to turn on the street leading to my house. As I looked ahead for the road to be clear, I moved to the center, the next thing I see is bright lights speeding towards my driver’s side and I was struck and my car was spinning.

I remember thinking; I did not tell my mom I loved her today and the rest was blank. I do not remember the airbag going off, but it did because it’s stuck on the driver’s side window. I also do not remember what happened next, I just remember my car spinning and I ended up all crashing into the fields on the other side…my car probably spun equivalent of 10 lanes.

I totally understand how when you become so disoriented. Once I realized what happened, my only thought was 911, call 911. I found my phone, but all the questions they asked I just blanked…I had no idea what road I was on, I just started crying and telling them I was on the road with George Washington and Chick-fil-a.

From being hit on the driver’s side, my door could not open and I could feel my leg pinned under the door. I started to panic and the guy kept saying to calm down. I looked down and saw glass, sand, water, dirt everywhere. I saw my passenger side door and thought, I can climb out. Then a bunch of strangers came running over with flashlights, they said don’t move, stay there, and the guy on 911 said that too.

Sirens came and a bunch of firemen came running over. Next thing I know, they put a collar on my neck, asked me a bunch of questions, and said we have to cut her out. We have to cut the door. They kept asking me questions and I could not remember the simplest things like my zip code or where my purse was, where my registration was at…nothing.

They were trying to get my arm out after they strapped me in the board to see if I was bleeding inside because they saw red spots on my shirt and I had on the jean jacket that Idalia had given me. They said they may have to cut my jacket. I just said no I’ll pull my arm out because it’s a piece of Idalia that I have. It took a few tries, but I got my arm free.

They threw me on a stretcher and put me in the ambulance. I kept saying I need my phone and my purse. Luckily they grabbed it, but in the ambulance, everyone kept asking what happened and one of the EMT said, did you see what we just pulled you out from? I said no, he said that’s a good thing or else you would not be this calm. They said, you were probably saved by your seatbelt and airbag.

I got to the hospital and they took me to get x-rays and a full check-up. The doctor said that I am ok to leave and before he left, he tapped my leg and said, from a car accident like that, the seatbelt and airbag saved your life.

The cop came in to get more information. He told me it was not my fault and that the other driver was drunk or under the influence of drugs, he’s not sure yet, but leaning towards drinking, but one of the two and I may need to testify. She was going at about 50 to 60 mph in a residential zone and ran the stop sign. That’s why she t-boned my car. Of course she walked away with no injuries and tried to lie about stopping. That’s how it always happens.

Either way, the officer told me to count my blessing. He said that he saw the car and where I started and where I ended. He said that the entire side was completely damaged and he’s seen other accidents like this and the person is either dead or extremely injured. He reiterated that I got a direct hit on my driver’s side at a high-speed, a few more inches and who knows what would have happened and he said who knows. He again said, good thing you were buckled.

Finally, I texted Sanam with what happened and if she could pick me up from the hospital. She is now my emergency contact and I am so grateful for her. When I appointed her as my emergency contact, I never thought I would have to use it. At first, she thought it was a joke, but panicked when she realized it was not. After picking me up, she took me to Moby Dick for food and she asked if I had retouched my make-up, I said no. She said, well your make-up looks amazing after crying and an accident, she even was impressed my lipstick was still on there. Amber was laughing when I told her that and said, no matter what you can still look fabulous.

I cannot even begin to express my gratitude to be ok today and also to have such a wonderful friend as Sanam in my life. I just cannot believe in so many ways how she has been there for me. As a friend, she has never failed me when I have needed her and honestly that is what friends are for. Sanam has not only been with me through all my emotional struggles, but she was the first person I saw after my accident. I just cannot even believe how amazing she is and how empty my life would be without her.

Polly, Idalia, Shari, Debbie, Taban, and many others called as soon as they heard. I know all of them would have done the same for me and once again, I am so blessed in life to have such wonderful people. I always say, it’s the tough times that prove the strength of a friendship and never have my friends let me down.

It is definitely a Christmas miracle and someone must have been looking out for me because yes, my leg is injured and I can’t run around, but to walk away from a car smashed in like this and being hit right on the driver’s side at 50 mph, I should have been much worse off. All I have to say is that someone was looking out for me from above and I must have a lot of good juju in life to keep me alive.

My sister joked and said, you asked Santa for a new car, but I told her…I did not tell Santa to get me injured to get me a new car.

So lesson of the story, the reason I got out with just cuts, bruises, and muscle issues was because I wore my seat belt. Please, please, please buckle up always. You never know when you’ll get hit because I literally was down the street from my home when I got hit.

XOXO.

PS. Please make each moment of life count.
PSS. Make sure you always match your socks. Mine were two different ones and I felt really embarassed when the doctor saw me.
PSSS. The EMT who came with me was like, it looks like you were going to a party and I’m sorry we had to meet like this. I was thinking…yeah me to because you are very cute.

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