Worst Nightmare To Date

Yes, this is a true story - with a message. If anybody under 21 (or over it for that matter) thinks they're invincible; they'll probably just click to the next thread. Too bad, because this is a reality check of the highest order.

Regulars around here remember my posting about having bought a "spare truck" for 1/2NK to drive. We never posted pictures before (don't know why), but here's a couple from 2-3 months ago. "Updated" photos in the next post.....

Worst Nightmare - Part II

This past Friday night, 1/2 was driving out to feed Chance the Wonder Pony. Her route took her down a road which I'd have advised against - gravel road, at dusk, driving too fast for her abilities and for the road (The posted 50MPH is an insane speed for the road's condition - I often drive like an idiot, and I'd be afraid to go that speed down that washboard!). She swerved around an obstacle (fallen tree branch); lost control of the truck, and the acrobatics began. Pictures of the result:

Thank You, God!

I was out in south county myself, at a Rodeo Planning meeting. Mrs. StangDreamin' called me and told me that she had been contacted by the County Sheriff's office regarding the accident, and would I meet her out there. Now, I was excited (to say the least); and, on the way out there, I myself almost dumped the Rice-Eating Chevy Truck sliding around on that road about 3/4 mile from the accident site. When I got there, I saw the wreck and ran around screaming, "Where's Trish? Where's my daughter???" Out of one of the squad cars popped 1/2, crying. "I'm sorry Dad! I'm so sorry!" I was so happy to see she was upright and able to walk and talk that I didn't care about the truck, didn't care that it was totalled, didn't care that I still have one more payment on it. SHE WAS OKAY!!!!!!!! Thank you Lord!
She had been wearing her seatbelt, and had only a bump on her head and a crick in her neck. No blood! No broken bones! A trip to the E.R. and a CAT scan showed there were ZERO injuries! Again, Thank you, God!

The message: No matter who you are or how good a driver you just know that you are; you are not invincible! Pay attention to the road, pay attention to your driving, pay attention to your abilities!!! 1/2NK is one of the most careful drivers I had ever met (sometimes I would silently agree with her one friend's assessment "You drive like a Grandmaw!"); and this still happened to her. I've taken several defensive driving classes and an off-road "Performance Driving" class; and, as I stated at the top of this particular post, I almost dumped my truck on this same road that night. Back in December, coming back from a class in Tucson, I watched the same kind of accident on I-10 where an '03 Dodge 1/2-ton Quad Cab (just like Mrs' StDr's truck) bounced and rolled and spit out two of the three passengers before it came to rest litterally 22 inches from where I was slamming on the brakes in my truck. Last but not least, WEAR YOUR SEATBELT!!! If you're in the middle of a resto-mod; go find some '68+ belts with the shoulder harness. THEY REALLY WORK!

I can't state this enough. I've read enough posts on this forum dealing with Forum Members losing their lives in accidents. 1/2NoKitten was incredibly lucky; God must have some plan for her later in life, so He kept her safe that night. Don't let it be told that you weren't so lucky.



Still Dreamin'

If we ever see an end to "The server is busy at the moment. Please try again later"; you should click on the pictures to see how lucky she was.

I didn't go back in the daylight to get pics of the big gouges in the ground; else you could see (if you've ever worked with an Accident Investigator) where Little Red rolled 2+ times- and bounced a bit. The truck is pretty "folded up", but the cab's A- and B-pillars held up remarkably well, and saved her from a lot of injury. Trish said that, when she came to a rest (wheels on the ground); she still felt movement. Apparently (confirmed by tire tracks), the motor was still running, tranny still in "Drive" and it pulled itself about 12-14 feet towards the road before she shut it down! Gutsy little truck; still trying to do its job at the very end.


Still Dreamin'