Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Better Today

Yesterday, the shuttle bus I was riding to work hit a woman and killed her. It was pretty much the most horrifying thing I've ever witnessed/been through.

I don't really want to go into detail, to be honest. My coworkers and family heard about it, asked me about it, and I answered their questions. The police have my statement. I think that once their investigation closes, they will find that it was simply a tragic accident. Our bus had a green light, the woman, who actually used to work at the same hospital as me, just stepped in front of the bus. Maybe she was distracted, maybe she had headphones on, maybe the "walk" light on the crossing signal was faulty and lit, I don't know.

What I do know is this - be careful out there. Pay attention. Look both ways when you cross the street, even if you have the light. Drive carefully - don't run red lights or blast out of an intersection as soon as the light turns green. More than anything else, be grateful you're alive, grateful for every day that you're given. Life is short, and can end so abruptly. Even if you're tired, stressed, sad or angry, be glad you're here. That's all.

3 comments:

Alex S. said...

Even though I've already said it on FB, I'll say it again: I'm so glad you're as ok as you can be right now. I really can't get over how traumatizing the whole ordeal must have been. Also, I want to apologize for my totally insenstive comment, too!!! I even realized ti after I posted it on FB (about if you saw it happen or afterwards) and then I was like "duh, that's a shitty thing to ask someone" sometimes I don't have common sense.
In any case, yes, I agree 100% - people, both pedestrians and motorists need to pay closer to attention to the road because it really is a matter of a split second.
Please know that if you need someone to vent to, even though i know you're surrounded by tons of supportive people, that I'm always around and willing to listen (and won't ask any more dumb questions!)

Al said...

Alex, your comment wasn't insensitive, it's ok! Put it this way, I was on the bus - I didn't see us hit her, but I saw every horrible thing afterward! Insensitive is this: my former boss says "what, was that your first dead body?" I said "NO, I've seen dead people before, just not ones freshly hit by a F*CKING BUS" I wanted to punch her in the face. But thank you for being there and asking if I was OK. Yesterday I wasn't. Today I'm still not 100% (had my blood pressure taken at the platelet clinic and it was high as a kite, I'm usually 90/60!) but in time, it'll calm down. I know you know what this feels like because of the thing with your neighbor in Maine! I know you're totally sensitive to things like this. Thanks friend :D

Elizabeth said...

Oh Allison...I am so sorry. I can't even imagine how awful this must have been. Nancy and I saw a crazy accident on the highway coming back from Connecticut at 4 am -- the car ahead of us drifted suddenly into the guard rail, hit it and spun out across the highway. It was terrifying. We immediately pulled over and called the cops but in the end no one was hurt. Nancy thought the driver was probably either drunk or high because they didn't stick around to wait for the ambulance - they drove away and we passed them later. It took me a long time for my heart to stop racing, and I didn't come close to seeing anyone dying in front of me so violently. I send my prayers to this woman's family and to the driver and all the passengers who witnessed the accident. I can't wait to see you tomorrow and give you a big hug.

Love,
E