Krash...into me

That's what happened yesterday.

So what happens when you're in a hurry? And you don't take the time to slow down. And to be present. And to look? Life gets blurry. And crunchy.

I was in an accident yesterday. Coming off of the James' St. Hill right at the turn on to the 5 (sure...the, I...I don't care...the interstate).

I was waiting at the light looking straight ahead at the tow truck towing someone out of my lane up at the next light.

Then I glanced right a bit and saw the woman on the corner doing her stretches at the streetlight and I wondered how long it would take her to get up the hill I had just come down.

Then I glanced into my passenger side mirror and saw the car behind me creeping forward. I remember thinking he was impatient.

Then I glanced left and saw that the light was red..."Oh" I thought, "My light must be green and that is why he is impatient."

I looked forward, and let up off of the brake. Out of the corner of my eye, to my right, I saw the look of terror on the woman's (Madam Hillclimber) face so I looked right to see what was her problem.

My heart dropped.

I thougth I was about to witness an accident.

Then I heard the deafening crunch. I watched a car spin through four lanes of on ramp traffic just after rush hour.

I saw people scatter. I pulled over. Hit my hazards. Turned off the radio. Popped the ashtray ("I have an ashtray?" Was the thought that went through my mind) back into it's slot. Pulled up the e-brake, put it in park. Looked out the driver side mirror, pulled up my cell phone and dialed 911. Amused, but not understanding why (until today) the operator didn't "get" that of course I was at 6th and James in Seattle. Now I get the issue with 911 and cell phones. Got out the car.

Guy in the black SUV that was sitting behind me pulled over too. Asked if I was okay.

Yeah...I'm fine.

Tow truck driver is also on phone. I'm still on phone talking to Seattle PD now. I'm flustered because two driver wants to know if I need SPD. I tell him I'm on phone with SPD who is telling me that as long as both drivers are WA residents and no one is injured, we just need to exchange insurance info and be on our ways.

"Uhhhmmm...well, sir, the problem is that this guy really blew this light and I think there needs to be a report." I say. I think "Hell if I'm paying to replace his Lexus because he didn't stop."

Hillclimber overhears SPD telling me to carry on and is adamant that a report needs to be taken.

While waiting for a car to come out, Red Light Driver comes over and apologizes to ped who says he almost killed her. I tell him I thought he was going to tag her too. He tells us he knew he wasn't going to be able to stop in time and he tried to honk, but couldn't do that either. I ask him where he was going in such a hurry. I am remarkably cheery. Probably because I'm just happy that we're all alive and walking and really, some burn and a crunched bumper is fixable.

Car arrives and statements are taken. Officer Patti (fantastic lady) gives me the case number and is amused that Mr. Red Light wanted to just give me his insurance info and be on his way. More amused when I note that he didn't even ask (and I wasn't giving until demanded to) my insurance info. Unfortunately, it is now on the police report, BUT he has all sorts of tickets from the accident so I want to see his insurance try to get mine to pay for this.

Dilema--it was not my fault of an accident. Do I get my insurance involved on this? I think I do--rather they hear about it from me and I get them the proper reports than have his company call and get it from him. Thing is...we're insured by the same folks so...

Anyhow. That was the drama of yesterday. Krash...into me. Slow it down folks...slow it down...