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About 4 years ago I was driving my poopy little 2005 Ford Focus to work, and as I exited an exchange ramp to a different highway I was struck by a Semi Dump truck. The sheer terror of looking up at rear view mirror and seeing, "MACK" in chrome letters on a red backdrop still terrifies me to this very day. I managed to brake just as the crash happened, which minimized the impact I had to the green Saturn directly in front of me. Surprising enough, all 3 vehicles were still drivable, so I managed to get over to the shoulder (we were all in the far right lane.) Dazzed, I sat still until a large angry older man came up to my window and started banging on it.
CrazyTruckDriver: "What the hell did you do that for? You crazy or 'sumpthin?"
I didn't respond, mostly because I was JUST HIT BY A SEMI!
The events after that were blurry, but it was mostly CTD convincing the Broken English European Woman in the Saturn that I was crazy and caused the whole accident. After about 5 minutes I got a hold of myself and called 911 (did I forget to mention that neither of the other drivers were concerned about me at all? Oops.) The Illinois State Police officer showed up fast, and then started talking to us. CTD was going into a full production piece about how I cut over from the left and slammed on the brakes and caused the whole accident. He repeated that several times, emphasizing that I cut over from the left.
I patiently waited my turn, rather than interrupt the whole speech CTD was giving. Then, I had my chance.
Me- Meeeee
ISP - Illinois State Police
CTD - Crazy Truck Driver
ISP: So, whats your side of the story?
Me: Well, I exited off I-294 onto I-55 from the right, stayed in the far right lane and then he (points at CTD) crashed into me.
ISP: Oh really.
Me: Yes, and my Ipass unit will show that I went through the I-294 toll plaza before exiting. There is no way I could have cut over from the left like CTD said.
ISP: Yeah, thats what I was thinking.
CTD:
See, the point of the crash and the placement of the off-ramp made it impossible for me to cut over from the left like CTD was saying. And my Ipass (automatic toll pay) would show that I was on the other tollway prior to the accident. ISP took out his ticketbook before he even spoke to the lady I struck. CTD received multiple tickets, Failure to prevent an accident, one about lying to the police, and a few more concerning his truck. I was relieved a bit, but my poor Focus was now minus a rear end - the taillights were destroyed along with my trunk being smashed in. Drivable, but not for long - I managed to get home using hand signals and taking side roads.
It's an experience I wish would have never happened, but it ended the best way possible. The liar crazy truck driver was dealt with, no one had serious injuries, and everyone was able to walk away. I still have neck pain, and like I said earlier I am now terrified of Semi's and Dump trucks. Even after my car war repaired, I sold it because the memories were too much.
CrazyTruckDriver: "What the hell did you do that for? You crazy or 'sumpthin?"
I didn't respond, mostly because I was JUST HIT BY A SEMI!
The events after that were blurry, but it was mostly CTD convincing the Broken English European Woman in the Saturn that I was crazy and caused the whole accident. After about 5 minutes I got a hold of myself and called 911 (did I forget to mention that neither of the other drivers were concerned about me at all? Oops.) The Illinois State Police officer showed up fast, and then started talking to us. CTD was going into a full production piece about how I cut over from the left and slammed on the brakes and caused the whole accident. He repeated that several times, emphasizing that I cut over from the left.
I patiently waited my turn, rather than interrupt the whole speech CTD was giving. Then, I had my chance.
Me- Meeeee
ISP - Illinois State Police
CTD - Crazy Truck Driver
ISP: So, whats your side of the story?
Me: Well, I exited off I-294 onto I-55 from the right, stayed in the far right lane and then he (points at CTD) crashed into me.
ISP: Oh really.
Me: Yes, and my Ipass unit will show that I went through the I-294 toll plaza before exiting. There is no way I could have cut over from the left like CTD said.
ISP: Yeah, thats what I was thinking.
CTD:
See, the point of the crash and the placement of the off-ramp made it impossible for me to cut over from the left like CTD was saying. And my Ipass (automatic toll pay) would show that I was on the other tollway prior to the accident. ISP took out his ticketbook before he even spoke to the lady I struck. CTD received multiple tickets, Failure to prevent an accident, one about lying to the police, and a few more concerning his truck. I was relieved a bit, but my poor Focus was now minus a rear end - the taillights were destroyed along with my trunk being smashed in. Drivable, but not for long - I managed to get home using hand signals and taking side roads.
It's an experience I wish would have never happened, but it ended the best way possible. The liar crazy truck driver was dealt with, no one had serious injuries, and everyone was able to walk away. I still have neck pain, and like I said earlier I am now terrified of Semi's and Dump trucks. Even after my car war repaired, I sold it because the memories were too much.
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