We Were Hit By A Drunk Driver...

[hollymmm]

On Mothers Day at 1:00pm we were hit by a drunk driver.  We know as adults to be careful at night and watch for people who may be coming home from bars.  We know to drive more carefully on the weekends because we just know that the drunk drivers are out there.  For some reason the thought rarely crosses ours minds to be just as vigilant during the day. 

My husband was driving which was odd because he never drives.  We had gone to several stores looking for the perfect Mothers Day dinner for everyones indisisive mother.  Pulling out of the Hastings parking lot we see another driver pull out of the third exit of the same parking lot.  He pulled out wide and then over corrected and almost drove up onto the curb.  I blurted out as has become a habit and a running joke in the family "get off your cell phone and learn how to drive.".  We drove past him and didn't think another thing of it. 

Several miles down the road and several lane changes we come to a full stop at a red light.  I'm staring out the window and admiring all the beautiful flowers that a business had in front of their building.  Wishing that I had some in my front yard.  Just as I'm turning my head to look at my family we all lurch forward and slam back into our seats.  My husband thank goodness had his foot jammed into the brake so we didnt' slam into the person in front of us.  My children are calm, but their eyes are about as huge as they can get.  My husband has no idea what has happened, he is stunned.  I look back and see that a full sized Black Toyota Tundra V8 5.7 liter truck has slammed into the back of our white 89 Volvo.   My husband finally coming to his senses pulls the car out of the left hand lane and into a church parking lot.  The truck follows. 

Now I know that we should have stayed where we were until the police arrived.  The road that we were on is a high traffic area and it would have been only a matter of time until someone noticed too late that the truck in front of him wasn't moving and they slammed into the back of them.  My husband and I were under the same understanding that we were not putting our children's lives in danger anymore then need be.  So we moved. 

The mans truck pulled in next to us and I saw that the whole left front end of his truck was mashed in.  My heart sank.  I checked my children who were no worse for wear.  No seat belt marks and no pain. They were just scared.    My husband and I got out of the car. This of course after I made him take a few deep breaths so he didn't kill the guy.  As all of us arrive at the rear of our car; suddenly it hits my husband and I at the same time.  The stench of alcohol.  My heart sinks lower.  I can already feel that anger building in me.  My hand curls into a fist.  Thankfully I've taken up position behind my husband and can't reach around him and knock the guy out.  Then the man slurs to us.  "Well you know those damn Toyota brakes.  Can't trust em."  At that moment I snap and I find my husband shoving me back into the car.  Apparently I should have been the one taking the deep breaths before we got out of the car. 

As my husband is getting me into the car and calmed down he hears the guy. "well there doesn't seem to be any damage to your car. I guess I'll be on my way.  Sorry about hitting you."  He gets into his truck and almost side swipes us leaving.  My husband and I are powerless to stop him.  I grabbed a pen and jotted down his number at light speed.  My husband and I do not have cell phones so we drive home.  It  doesn't take us long, but by the time we get there and I re-check my children 30 minutes has passed. 

I call the police to report the "possible" drunk driver.  The lady on the other end of the phone proceeds to give me a hard time because I took so long to call.  Then she continues on and tells me how in this day and age people should really have cells phones.  I am stunned into silence.  We get hit by a drunk driver and suddenly this is my fault!?  I'm sorry that we are not blessed enough to be able to afford cell phones.  I'm sorry that no one stopped to help us.  I'm sorry that I was so irresponsible.  

This is supposed to be my happy day and twice in 30 minutes I have been reduced to tears by two complete strangers. 

I do no know if this man was caught.  I do know however what bar he came out of.  There is one in the same parking lot as Hastings.  I will be looking for his truck and if I do see his truck there at the bar I will be going in there and speaking with the bartender.  I will be waiting for him to try and leave drunk, because I'm sure that he won't remember me.  I will call the police.  We got away lucky.  It could have been much worse. I won't let him hurt anyone else.  I know that I have to let the police do their job, but if i can prevent another accident that could be fatal for another family. I WILL......

[SylviaNCali]

May. 10, 2010 at 4:59 PM

Thank goodness you all got out OK. It's just so sad though that people willd rive while drunk. When you think about it though if theyr'e really drunk they may not even realize it and that is part of the problem.

[MomOfDagJag]

May. 10, 2010 at 5:08 PM

between call phones, texting and drunk driving... it is a wonder that any of us get home safely!

[babymomma0306]

May. 10, 2010 at 5:11 PM

I would've punctured his tires so he couldn't go anywhere, damage or not he shouldn't have left. Nest time put a scratch in your car if there's no damage so he can't leave. I'm glad ya'll are ok!