No guy wants to get this phone call from his wife: "I've been in an accident. I was hit head-on. I need you."
The other driver -- why she was going east in the westbound lane of 131st at 0730 in the morning, we're not sure. The good news is that my wife was able to walk away from this one with a few bruises and scuff marks. Nothing more.
So I've got some gratitude, as you can imagine: grateful for good luck and for airbag technology. Glad the other driver and her teenage son were not seriously hurt. Grateful to the Man Upstairs. I'm also grateful to the Fishers PD guys who were working the scene when I arrived.
They had 131st blocked in both directions. I pulled up to the first vehicle and the officer put his window down. I pointed to the scene. "One of the drivers. My wife."
It was kindness and empathy that went across his face as he pointed to a patrol vehicle with its lights going. "She's in the back of that one," he said.
As I approached, the back door of the cruiser opened and she stepped out. I looked over at my Pathfinder, the front end crushed and the airbags deflated and the thing was bleeding on the pavement and dying. I looked back to her face, took it in my hands and said, "I'm glad you're okay."
She walked back toward the Pathfinder to gather up some of her things as I came around to the driver's side of the cruiser. This second officer put his window down and we talked for a couple minutes. He told me what he knew, was reassuring and calm and professional. A third officer had taken my wife's information (and had left before I got there).
These guys would say they were just doing their jobs. And they were. But they were kind to my wife when she was scared and didn't even really know if she was hurt. They kept her warm until I could get there.
So... I didn't get your names, gents. But I thank you.
The other driver -- why she was going east in the westbound lane of 131st at 0730 in the morning, we're not sure. The good news is that my wife was able to walk away from this one with a few bruises and scuff marks. Nothing more.
So I've got some gratitude, as you can imagine: grateful for good luck and for airbag technology. Glad the other driver and her teenage son were not seriously hurt. Grateful to the Man Upstairs. I'm also grateful to the Fishers PD guys who were working the scene when I arrived.
They had 131st blocked in both directions. I pulled up to the first vehicle and the officer put his window down. I pointed to the scene. "One of the drivers. My wife."
It was kindness and empathy that went across his face as he pointed to a patrol vehicle with its lights going. "She's in the back of that one," he said.
As I approached, the back door of the cruiser opened and she stepped out. I looked over at my Pathfinder, the front end crushed and the airbags deflated and the thing was bleeding on the pavement and dying. I looked back to her face, took it in my hands and said, "I'm glad you're okay."
She walked back toward the Pathfinder to gather up some of her things as I came around to the driver's side of the cruiser. This second officer put his window down and we talked for a couple minutes. He told me what he knew, was reassuring and calm and professional. A third officer had taken my wife's information (and had left before I got there).
These guys would say they were just doing their jobs. And they were. But they were kind to my wife when she was scared and didn't even really know if she was hurt. They kept her warm until I could get there.
So... I didn't get your names, gents. But I thank you.
