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Car: 1 Pedestrian: 0

Well, Happy New Year indeed. This is how I’m kicking off 2012 (not actually kicking anything for some time, methinks); nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition, I guess.

I was out walking Jessica’s dog Brown in my neighborhood yesterday, when I got hit by a car. It happened at one of those double-T intersections where the cross street ends, then picks back up again further down the block. I was on the main road, approaching the near T-junction, when I saw a the car stop at the far T ahead. He had his blinker on to turn right onto the main street, and I made Brown stop and wait until I was sure of what he was going to do. He turned, and then it appeared he was going to continue straight, right on past me, so I started crossing the street at my T-junction. At the last second, without using his turn signal, he veered to the left, right into my intersection. I yelled for him to stop, but he never saw or heard me. I tried to run out of the way, but he was accelerating, so he hit my left leg before I could clear his car. I went flying forward, crashed on the pavement (with my glasses landing a few feet away) and dropped the leash, Brown spooked and kept running, and the driver screeched to a halt and jumped out of the car. He was just a kid—sixteen, according to the police report—and even more shaken up than I was. I told him to call 9-1-1, and while he did that, several witnesses ran up to help me out of the street and bring Brown back. The emergency crew was there within minutes, and I had to laugh when the EMT checked me in at the ER and gave the official accident code to the techs: Car vs. Pedestrian. Maybe if the car had been a Smart Car and the pedestrian a Sumo wrestler, the score would be tallied differently.

I keep thinking of all the ways this could have been worse. If he’d been driving an SUV instead of a compact car. If I’d been one second late in crossing. If I’d been two seconds late in crossing. If he hadn’t stopped. If it had been raining, or dark outside. If there hadn’t been anyone nearby to help. All things considered, I’m mostly okay, and very lucky to be so—but it’s bad enough. I’ve got some sort of knee injury that x-rays couldn’t determine, and I can’t call to make an MRI appointment until tomorrow (happy New Year). I’ve got an impressive collection of scrapes and bruises, and while there’s no walking or driving (stick shift) in my foreseeable future, there are a lot of phone calls to make.

Cross stitch photo by Chandler O'Leary. Design by Alicia Paulson.

So all of a sudden, all I have in the world is time. I’m trying to fill it with joyful, quietly productive things, because it makes the waiting easier. And I’ve never been more glad that we traditionally don’t take the Christmas tree down until Twelfth Night.

Holiday photo by Chandler O'Leary

As I sit, and sip, and stitch, and sit, I wish more and more for some way to thank the unknown Tacomans for their kindness yesterday. The man who helped assess my injuries, lent me a phone to call home, and retrieved Brown. The woman who kept me talking in case of a concussion. The fireman who was so kindly and apologetic about the logistical questions he had to ask. The EMTs who assured me I wasn’t silly, and insisted I accept the “fuss” of an ambulance ride. The police officer who came to see me in the emergency room. Even the shaken teenager who knew enough to do the right thing.

And I wish for everyone else behind the wheel out there to stay present in the moment. Because sometimes looking both ways isn’t enough.

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8 thoughts on “Car: 1 Pedestrian: 0

  1. jen : painted fish studio

    oh how scary! i’m so glad you’re ok, for the most part. i recently witnessed a car vs pedestrian event, and i’ve had close calls myself. it’s terrifying to think of what can happen in seconds… take care of yourself, heal well!

  2. Christina Rodriguez

    Get well soon, Chandler! We’re so glad you and Brown are safe. These accidents are indeed scary but this incident seems like the universe was reminding you just how lucky you really are!

  3. holly

    oh my…what an icky story! Your are lucky and how refreshing to hear about the goodness of others. May you heal quickly and this ‘found’ downtime bring you great things you wouldn’t normally do.

  4. Laura Russell

    Hi Chandler, Yikes. Things like these always make you count your blessings. Thank goodness you weren’t hurt worse. The upside is that forced down time can be very interesting. Sending healing vibes, Laura.

  5. Hearthstone

    Hey girl, it’s me again, leaving a message. Sorry about that phone one. No telling when you can get some sleep, eh, and we know you’ll call when there’s actual news. What we wanted to talk about is how we’re kinda squicked out at the alarming frequency with which these car v. pedestrian match-ups seem to be happening. Around here, they’re usually fatal. Search on the terms LaPierre and Haverhill for the latest, egregious example. This incident occurred a few weeks ago next door to my place of work. She was our regular, too. A daily regular. Word on the blogs is, a nice person did it.

    We applaud your brave positivity. Your morale seems just fine. May the stick break before your bones.

  6. jennybeast

    That’s terrifying! I’m so glad you are still with us, and I hope you heal up well and swiftly.

  7. jenn

    Oh heavens, dear! This is not a good thing. I’m glad you’re (mostly) okay. And I’m glad Brown is okay. Very scary. I can’t help but recall a certain fellow we worked with who had many altercations with moving vehicles while on his bike. I can’t help but think some of his karma may have followed you out west. Have the tailor fill your wine glass and rest up. J

  8. Lara

    Yipes, Chandler! Scary stuff!

    I am SO glad that it wasn’t worse than it was, and I hope that you are able to use your convalescence to accomplish much. Sometimes being forced to be still is good, and I hope it turns out that way for you.

    And I also hope you heal quickly!

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