Accidental witness

Today, I had to go get a drug test to be rehired for one of my jobs. It was annoying, but not a big deal. When leaving, I debated over which way to take to my next destination, the library. Option A: The more direct but more busy street with lots of lights that I avoid at all costs, or Option B, the indirect but slightly less busy street that I prefer. I had good music, the weather was nice, I wasn't in a hurry, and I was feeling patient, so I chose A.

I was driving along, one hand on the steering wheel and the other next to me, happily bobbing my head to M.I.A. from the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack, when a Jeep coming from the opposite direction made a left turn in front of me. He was completely justified in doing so--this affected neither me nor anyone coming from my direction. From the road he was turning onto, though, a black Suburban raced down at probably about 40 mph--fast for a commercial/residential street--and rapidly approached him. After seeing the Jeep pass in front of me, I did a double take as I saw what was coming. "She sees him, she's won't hit him...Oh shoot, she's gonna hit him."

The front corners of the two vehicles collided, the second sending the first spinning, its back end smashing into a concrete barrier, until the front finally hit another cement wall that prevented it from moving further. The driver's seat flew backward, and the man sitting in it wore a look of sheer terror as he spun in circles. About halfway between the initial impact and the halting collision into the wall, his eyes closed, and he looked almost peaceful. The other car swerved around the corner and stopped.

The next few moments consisted of a flurry of pulling over, jumping out of my car, checking on everyone, and calling the police. Everyone was alive and nearly unscathed, but really shaken up. Four terrified children were crammed into the back seat of the Suburban, with another young teenage girl in front with the driver, whom I assume was their mother. I stuck around until the police and firemen came, gave them my contact information, described what I saw, answered several questions, and went on my way.

It scared me, but that doesn't matter. I can't help but wonder how it affected the drivers and their families. Is this going to change how they view life, knowing that catastrophes can happen so unexpectedly? Where were they going? What was going through their minds at the time? Will they be more astute drivers? Do they have the money to repair their cars and pay for the ticket? Do they have insurance? Especially the lady with the five kids in the car...though she was going much faster than she should've been, I'm concerned about what's going to happen to that family.

It's so crazy how an incident at a small intersection, so minor in the grand scheme of the world, can dramatically change someone's life.