Life changes in the blink of an eye

It was the week before Christmas break. I was 12 years old and in the seventh grade. I woke up before my dad and brother and got in the shower. When I was done I woke up my brother and my dad. The drive to school was about 20 minutes. Once we got in the car to leave, my brother laid across the back seat horizontally. I sat in the passenger seat. Even though my brother was older I always fought to sit in the front seat. The time was about 6:55 am. We all knew that lying in the car like that was not safe, but we never thought anything would happen to us. As we made our way to school my dad asked me multiple times if I wanted anything for breakfast. Most times I would say yes, but that morning I said no. My dad continued driving, and I sat on my phone. I remember texting my mom and telling her “I love you.” Seconds later at 7:01 am, we struck a semi truck that was backing up on the access road. My ears were ringing from the noise and for a second I didn’t know what to do. Then the rush of adrenaline hit me like lightning. My brother awoke from his sleep and was confused as to what happened. My dad was unresponsive the whole time. I continued to talk to my brother to ensure that he would stay awake and not fall unconscious. I kept talking to my dad, but he never responded. The truck driver came to my window and asked me if my dad was breathing. I was in too much shock to even know if he was breathing or not. I sat there in the red tahoe for what felt like hours. The thought that I might die rushed into my head, and I tried to fight those thoughts. Once the ambulance and firefighters arrived they used the jaws of life to get the door off of my side. They then asked me if I could walk towards the stretcher, and I reluctantly answered “I think so.” When I got onto the stretcher and into the ambulance I was too scared to ask the paramedics if my brother and dad were going to be okay. When I got to the hospital they ran a lot of tests on me to make sure I had no internal injuries. At this moment I didn’t know any information on my dad or my brother. They informed me that I had a broken wrist, but other than a few cuts and bruises everything else was fine. After they casted my arm my mom came to see me. I will never forget the look on her face when she saw me. Her first words were “your dad babe, he died.” I was in too much shock to say anything or do anything. None of this felt real and I wasn’t aware of the journey I was going to have to face. A few hours later I was able to see my brother. He had a concussion but nothing major. After that, I was released from the hospital the same day. I threw up in the car on the way home. The next few weeks of Christmas break were filled with tears, pain, and grief. Months and months passed after the accident, and I could hardly bear to be in a vehicle. I was too scared that something bad would happen again. Flashforward to my sophomore year of high school. I wasn’t really as scared to be in a vehicle anymore. The only problem was everyone in my grade was starting to get their driving permit. At every family event or function I would hear the words “when are you getting your license,” “when are you going to learn to drive.” I didn’t want to drive or even think about driving. I used my brother as a crutch because he was a year older than me so he would drive me to school every day. Once he graduated my biggest fear came true. I had to start driving myself to school. It is now my senior year of high school and I have a month and a half until I graduate. and I drive myself to school everyday. I still get a little scared driving places that I haven’t driven before, but I am so proud of the progress I have made, and I know my dad would be proud too. The day my dad passed away has never left me. It is a part of me, December 17, 2017.

Safe driving is one of the most important things in my life. I have experienced an accident first hand, and I know how easily someone’s life can be changed by a car accident. When I drive I make it my priority to never pick up my phone. If I am playing music I always pick the songs before I get to where I’m headed. I always wear my seatbelt because I know how important it is. My dad wasn’t wearing one when he passed away. I always stay aware of my surroundings and others driving around me. You don’t understand how important driving safety is until you experience an unsafe driving situation. It is life changing.

There are over 42,000 deaths caused by car accidents a year. By changing your driving habits to become safer on the road, we can all change lives for the better. We can help to reduce this number.