Oct 23, 2011

Sorry Officer, I didn't get the license number

Well it finally happened to us.  The kind of thing you hear about on the news and that only happens to someone else.

We are currently staying in Silverton, Oregon and since the weather cleared this afternoon we decided to go find Silver Falls State Park.  We arrived too late to really take advantage of the trails but made plans to come back this week.

On our way back to Silverton we were on a tight, twisty, two lane road. We were not in any hurry but driving close to the speed limit.  I noticed two cars coming up on us at a rapid rate.  I could tell they were impatient to pass us,  but with all the twists and turns it was all marked as a no passing zone.  Finally the first car made a quick move and was by us.  I noticed that it was a bunch of kids.  That's ok, we all were impatient  when we were young.

What happened next though was just plain stupid.  The second car decided he needed to catch up with his friends and decided to pass me on a blind curve.  What he didn't see was the on coming pickup truck.  I hit the brakes, the pickup truck swerved, and the driver of an older mustang tried to split in between.  He didn't make it.  He did avoid the pickup but scraped along the side of our Explorer.  And then...... he drove off.  He had to have known he hit us, but he just drove off.  In shock, I pulled over to see what damage was done.  While we were standing there the pickup driver who he had almost hit head on pulled up.  He had turned around to make sure we were ok.  We were happy to see he was ok and exchanged info, and he went on his way.

We did call 911, and also talked to the Oregon State Police..  Of course it all happened so fast that we didn't get a license number.  With just a description of the vehicle there is little they can do, but I will say they were very professional, and wanted to make sure that we were ok.

It was one of those moments that you are once again reminded that God reached in and intervened.  And for that we are grateful.  What could have been a tragic accident is now just an unpleasant memory.  It appears that the damage is minor, and will probably be less than our deductible.  I have to remember,  it's only stuff and stuff can be fixed or replaced.  With a life, not so much.

Until later.

9 comments:

kenpratt said...

Sounds like you were very lucky. I hope the law can catch up with them before they do some real damage.

Donna K said...

Oh my goodness...what a scary incident. It could have been a tragic outcome. So glad no one was hurt. The fact that they didn't even stop shows what kind of person they are. They should not be driving.

Wanderin' said...

Oh no! I'm glad you weren't hurt. There was a similar accident on a windy road into Woodland about a month ago. Same thing that one kid passed and then another on a blind curve in a no passing zone. That car wasn't so lucky. The driver was killed and his passenger had a broken back.

Again, you were very lucky!! My dad used to say you can't put an old head on young shoulders. He was so right.

Alan and Marilyn McMillan said...

WOW, so glad everyone is ok...kids don't have a clue -- unfortunately, they may end up learning the hard way!

Linda said...

Oh my, so glad to hear that you and Judy were unhurt. Your comment about "stuff" is so true. Take care!

Along the Way with JnK said...

So glad you both are alright...we know we drive safely, but we are always worried about the other guy!

Carol K said...

You have a good attitude about the situation, but I'm sorry you had to experience that. Glad you're okay!

Ali Workentin said...

So glad that you are both okay. I am sure it was super scary. I do hope they find the kids. I am sure some parents are wondering what happened to their car.

Thom Hoch said...

What an experience! and happy to hear you're both OK. One more thing to give me the "yips" when driving on curvy rural roads.