It all started on Sunday morning...
I was on my way to church with Chloe and Macie. Andrew was headed to his office to finish moving/setting up all the computer gear in their new office. Since I had left a few minutes before him, I ended up hitting the traffic that was backed up and barely moving on the interstate before he did. I had wanted to call him right away to warn him to take a different way. However, my cell phone was in the diaper bag, which was in the backseat. I thought to myself, "Oh well, guess he'll just have to deal with the traffic. Hopefully he doesn't think it was me in the accident."
I was able to get off at the next exit and take an alternate route to church. When I was literally right around the corner from the school where our church meets, I heard my phone ring in the backseat. I knew right away that it was Andrew calling, most likely because he had encountered the parking lot on the interstate and wanted to make sure we were okay. Since I was at a red light waiting to turn left, I reached back, grabbed the diaper bag, and retrieved my phone. I had missed the call (and I was right, it was Andrew), so I was in the process of calling him back to tell him we were fine when I got a green arrow to turn left. I made my left turn onto the cross street of the weirdly divided highway, thought I saw a green light, and continued on my way while saying to Andrew, "Hi, Honey. Are you on the interstate? Did you see the accid..."
WHAM! SMASH! POP! CRACK! Airbags exploding...weird gun powder smelling smoke filling my car...Chloe screaming in terror in the backseat...
I immediately unbuckled my seat belt, jumped out of the car, threw open Chloe's door. Grabbed her out. Ran to set her down on the island so I could get Macie. Realized that I couldn't leave Chloe there. Ran over to the other driver and asked if he could take Chloe. Ran back to my car. Grabbed Macie and got us out of the intersection. I hear the passenger in the car I collided with telling me, "Next time, don't go through a red light." Red light, what red light? I swear I saw green somewhere.
I literally do not remember EVER seeing a red light. Fortunately, the man I hit/hit me saw me coming and slowed down as much as he could. The only explanation that I can come up with is that in my half distracted state of mind, (talking on my phone, which by the way, is NOT illegal in CO...yet.) I may have completely looked past the light I was at and instead saw the next light which may or may not have been green.
After I made sure my girls were in a safe place, I went back to my car to get my phone. I had no idea if Andrew had heard the crash or not (How scary would that be for him to hear!!). Meanwhile, I'm shaking and trying not to completely melt down. I discovered that my phone was in like 3 pieces and I couldn't find the battery. I ran over to a bystander to ask if I could borrow her phone. Called Andrew. He hadn't heard a thing, thank God. And yes, he was still sitting in the completely stopped traffic on the interstate. I later found out that he was indeed calling to make sure it wasn't us in that accident on the interstate.
Weird that the accident he called to make sure we weren't involved in ended up being the cause of my accident. Found out later that that intersection is one of the most dangerous intersections in the Springs. Nice.
Someone called 911. The police and the firemen came and made sure we were all okay (The fireman who talked to me was really nice. Gotta love those firemen!). My friend, Myrian, was on her way to church and came upon the accident just a few minutes after it happened. I was so glad to see her face! She was a godsend for sure! Andrew finally arrived on the scene and helped me deal with everything. What a guy...I love him! The officer gave me a citation for running a red light...gee thanks.
Here are some pictures of the aftermath. It seemed a lot worse than it actually looks.
Me and my airbag
A lesson learned...do not talk on the phone while driving, even if it is legal. I was pretty shaken by the experience. However, I am praising God for His protection, amazing grace, and the opportunity to remember that my life is completely in His hands. I am guilty of so often taking my life and the lives of my family members for granted. This accident has put a lot of things into perspective for me. I'm thankful it took only a minor accident to help me realize what things matter most in life.
The girls are totally fine. Thank you, Britax, for making amazingly safe car seats. I will always be grateful to you.
My sweet, little Camry has been declared "totaled". Chloe keeps saying, "Mommy's car owie". Rest in peace, my dear car. You have taken good care of me for the past 6 years. You will be missed.
Stay tuned for pictures of my new ride. I'm open to suggestions so feel free to leave me a comment. My only requirements are 4 wheel drive and an excellent crash test rating!
