Witnessing an accident

Driving home from St. Helens, I was going about 54 mph or so along I-84 East. When I drive, I habitually check my mirrors regularly. This is one of those times I wish I hadn't. 

Behind me I saw a black car, maybe a Honda Civic or Toyota Sentra or something along that line. He was in the center lane and clearly not happy with the speed either that lane or the fast lane was going so he changed lanes to the fast lane. 

Problem is, he changed it too quick. The lanes were too slick. Maybe his tires were too bald?

Result was he had to correct his lane change as he nearly sideswiped the center median. But then he almost careened into the car in the center lane. He over-corrected and hit the center median.

Only now, he was not side-swiping it...he hit it either head-on or at a 45 degree angle or so, I don't actually know. The car flipped up so high that it bounced on those green spikes on top. As you can see, those are about 5-6' in the air! 

And this car landed on top, teetered there, and then plunged back into the fast lane. 

I could not stop because there were cars behind me and I did not think it was safe. I called 9-11 to report the accident. Meanwhile, in my rear view mirror, it looked like he might have driven into the center lane and then might even have taken an off-ramp, I don't know. 

I don't see how he could have. He had to have been doing 65 or 70 mph when he slammed into the median. He flew into the air, and I think the car may even have completely flipped over once, though I am not sure. 

Remember, I am seeing this in my rear view mirror, in traffic, and a lane or 2 to my left. So I am not totally sure of all the tumblings of the car. I DO know it slammed into the ground at well over 60 mph from 6' in the air. I would think that would pretty much stop it from driving very far or fast. 

I do know it was scary. I don't know how the guy or gal driving is. Whoever they are, if they are alive and uninjured, they are very, very fortunate.

This happened at about 3:15, December 7th, 2008. 

1 comment:

Riot Kitty said...

So glad you are OK! That must have been scary.