In a real turn of events, we had a real-life horrific moment (don't worry everything turned out okay). This weekend, I was at APE (Alternative Press Expo) in San Fransisco, CA. We planned to drive home to Ventura that same Sunday night after the show, which is about 6 hours away. So at 7pm, we headed back home, about 10 pm, along the 101, we drove through the town Salinas.
About 100 yards from me on the road a car made a swerve into the median of the lane. The car crashed into it, spun around and ran off to right side of the road, crashing into a large oak tree and flipping over. It was like one of those videos of a race car track crash and there it was right in front of me. My initial thought was that this guy fell asleep at the wheel. I pulled over quickly to the side of the road, threw my phone at Nicole, who just woke up and told her to call 911, as I opened the door and headed over to the crash.
I had a flashlight in my hand but as I ran in the night to the crash I didn't know what I would be seeing, the car power of was off, no lights and it was not on fire, but I was fearful that it would be a gruesome sight and I didn't know what I'd be able to do. What if there was something horrific, like a dismemberment? How would I react? I ran through the brush and got down to the totaled Honda Accord, and bent down. I saw a man's arm against the window, and remember this was completely upside down. The car was clean of blood. No fluids were leaking so I figured it couldn't get worse. I saw that were was only one occupant, the driver, male, white, by the top of his head, which I could barely see, salt and pepper gray. I called out to him. Again I called out. No answer. The door was smashed in and there was no way for me to try to get to him, and I knew that I should not move him. I told him my name was Andy and I called the police. I finally got a response, his name was Jim. I got him talking, he lives in Paso Robles and I kept him talking and told him not to move. He was out of it a bit and kept asking me, is the car upside down? I said yes, but don't move, help is on their way.
I'll say this, the Salinas response team was pretty darn good. I ran back to Nicole and I spoke to the dispatcher, after a series of questions, they got the info they needed and sent a team over. Within a few minutes we had a helicopter, 2 firetrucks, 2 CHP and a couple of ambulances. They were doing their job well and I stuck around to make sure Jim was okay and got out of the vehicle. When I saw the Jaws of Life being carried by the firemen, I must admit I was excited to see that, I've always wanted to see one in action. Jim was alive, he had a head-wound, but he looked much better than a feared. The car hit that tree right behind the driver's seat. another 10 inches forward and Jim would have been a goner. I told him it was me, Andy, wished him luck and left the scene.
I'm glad I was there to help out and that Jim is okay. Wear your seatbelts.
Andy
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