This is where one of my best friends was when it all happened.
On Sunday, Alex and I went shopping for the final touches of our pinup girl costumes. We were feeling pretty good too, on top of our game, having found everything we wanted/needed. We had just left my house, with her in her little yellow Cobalt, and me in my Escape behind her. I was following so that after we went to dinner with our boys, she and Kyle wouldn't have to drive us home, since I'd dropped Royce off there earlier. I'm sorry, Alex, to admit, but I am so very thankful that me and my little bump were not in your car.
As Alex went through the intersection, at around 5:47, the light turned yellow. She told us she remembers thinking "I'm gonna lose Tracy, she'll just meet me at the house." I don't even know what I was thinking because the next thing I see is a car ramming the Cobalt. I remember the sound most of all, a loud crushing sound. I remember saying aloud "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!!" and being at a loss. What do I do?! The light was now red, so to get across would be too long of a wait. Instead, I turned right and pulled over on the shoulder. As I did this, another car pulled over in front of me. I remember noticing all the nice people stopping. I ran across the street (when it was clear) and hesitated a little before approaching the car. I was so afraid. What if she was bleeding profusely? What if she was unresponsive or unconscious? I do NOT do blood and guts. But as I approached I realized she was sitting up ok, eyes straight forward. She was bleeding a little, from her hand, but I could handle that. I asked if she was ok and she answered feebly, "Yeah, I think so. Will you call Kyle? I can't do it, I'll lose it." I called Kyle and explained that we would be awhile, that Alex had been in an accident but was ok. He asked where we were, so I assumed he was coming, but as I was making the call, I didn't think to ask him to come. Then I climbed into the passenger seat and tried to keep her talking, knowing that she was feeling some shock and just trying to keep her coherent. I really didn't know what else to do. The other driver had called 911. She kept coming over to Alex, "Are you ok? I am so sorry! I am so sorry!" Alex would answer that she was ok, but then she would stare off into space. I knew she was angry. She had every right to be angry. But to get the girls to go away and quit begging her for forgiveness I answered "It happens." This got her away, just as the police and ambulance arrived. They asked how she was doing, and she told them that her hand was cut but not badly and that her ribs hurt. They suggested she go to the hospital in the ambulance and she asked if they could wait until her husband arrived. Next, they asked her if she had a preference for tow trucks. Alex was at a loss, thinking to herself "Can we work towards getting me out of here before you load the car up?" I stepped out of the car as Alex talked to them and called the boys. They were on their way, and Royce suggested a tow company. I asked them to hurry, explaining what was happening now. I also assured Royce that I was ok, that I hadn't been involved. As I was hanging up, they were asking Alex whether or not she was ok to climb over the console, or if they would have to cut the door. Alex decided to climb over. I was so worried 'cuz I know that Alex has a history of back problems. When she got out, they took her to the ambulance and shut the door behind her. I wanted to be with her so badly. I hated to leave her alone. Especially where the other girls were in there together. Before too long, Kyle and Royce pulled up and they let Kyle into the ambulance. I was relieved that she wasn't alone anymore. He didn't stay in too long, as he wanted to make sure all the paperwork was correct. At some point, I grabbed stuff out of the car. She had to have all the cute stuff we'd bought! I also grabbed my camera for pictures. Royce took all the pics, he knew what to look for. We stood around for a long time. Finally, they assisted the other girls out of the ambulance. The driver fell nearly to her knees sobbing, as she got another look at the cars. A little while later, they assisted Alex down. We had decided that we would take her up to the hospital in our Escape, rather than send her in the ambulance or bumpy Bronco. As Royce and Kyle talked to the tow driver and police to tie up loose ends, Alex and I got settled into my car. Then we met the boys back at our house to drop of the Bronco and pile in to my car. I made Royce drive up to the hospital, I felt bad with every bump I hit, every turn I made. We got to the hospital around 7. At the hospital, Alex was taken back to Triage in just a couple minutes. Royce and I waited in the waiting room until a little after 9:00, when they released her, with a prescription for a strong pain killer and a warning that she would be very sore. Otherwise, she was fine. Since we were on our way to dinner when all this started, we were all starving so we went out to eat. Just a crazy night. Glad Alex is safe. Glad that she was not alone. Glad that we could do what little we could to help.
The other car 2004 (?) Toyota Corolla
Airbags deployed, look at the fluid chambers just dangling on the passenger side.
Alex's poor Cobalt.
