Lights out

I’ve had several close calls down here in AZ but nothing real serious since my cancer episode last year. Last night my wife was heading out to San Tan Valley to baby sit for our baby boy Michael. Normally, I would have stayed home but at the last minute I had the thought that I should go with her.

The only dangerous event in the early evening was when I pilfered Mike’s freezer and discovered some ice cream, grabbed a banana and made a split. Michele put the 3 young un’s down and I grabbed winter’s nap while she watched the American dude blow the figure skating event.

Before I knew it, they got home and woke me up. We exchanged niceties and headed for Freeman Farms where we live.

We got on Riggs Road, which coincidently is my mother’s maiden name and headed west. Normally I run every yellow light I run into but for some reason, lost my macho and coasted to a stop at Ellsworth. The car beside us cruised on through the yellow and a couple seconds later, we heard a big collision and saw cars flying and sparks kicking up.

I knew it was a bad wreck so I called 911. After the light turned green, I drove ahead and pulled over and got out. I went up to the car which had the complete front, sides and back torn off, including the engine. It was a Vette, newer than mine but in a lot worse shape.

Just as I got out, another hot rod flew past doing 60 or 70. We yelled but he was long gone. Until he hit all the auto parts in the road. He might have even clipped the engine. Junk was flying every which-way and eventually he slowed and pulled over. He was probably a half-mile down the road. I’m sure he did some damage to his roadster.

I looked in the cab of the Vette and figured the guy was dead. I was correct. A guy ran up and checked for a pulse with no luck. Confirmation.

I think what happened was the Vette was steaming east toward us, probably 80 to 100 on a 45 mph road. When his light turned yellow, it went yellow at the same time as ours. I think he saw there was no way he was going to get stopped, hit the binders and lost control. His car bounced across the divider and hit the car that had been our neighbor a few seconds earlier at an ultra high speed. I would guess our neighbor was doing 50 or 60 to add to the carnage.

I walked up to check out the other car. It was in as bad of shape. The engine of the Vette and a hundred different parts were scattered all over the road. I would guess the engine had traveled 800 to 1,000 feet away from where it’s other half was located. I didn’t see anyone in the car, but didn’t get that close as there were people helping there.

There was a family in the other car including two little kids. One of the adults was in bad shape.

We didn’t sleep much last night. A second or two later and we could have been in the middle of the mess. The adult died this morning.

2 dead, 3 injured in Queen Creek crash

https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/2-dead-3-injured-queen-creek-crash/75-371cb034-2588-4998-a24c-004683f3de45

My sweet Valentine who blesses my life always!!! She was just trying to put all the pieces together.

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At the beginning of this clip, you can see the Vette engine in front of the right front bumper of the fire engine. As it spans the scene, notice how far back the Vette is.

If we had tried to beat the light like the other guy did, we’d be in much worse shape right now.

We did a movie and dinner tonight for Valentine’s day. Tomorrow is our 47 anniversary. Every week or so of our lives seems to have some climatic episode.

We’ve got 47 years under our belts which is more than most manage. I love you, Michele and am grateful for all you’ve given me!