Monday, just as I got my first period Marines busy on their Marine Science test, the school nurse called my room.
"Call Mrs. FC right away"
That is never good, so I held my breath and called, quietly so as not to disturb my high schoolers pondering my test.
"Emma has been in an accident, she's okay, but I don't know anymore than that. I'm waiting for her to call back."
I hung up, called the office, said, "Get me a sub, I'm leaving."
A few minutes later we were driving down I-75 heading to Tampa.
As the details poured in through a series of phone calls, the picture emerged.
Emma and her fellow student Elise, were heading to the tutoring they do as part of their course requirements at USF when the accident happened.
They were merging on to I-75 when the traffic suddenly stopped, Emma was on the ball and stopped without running into the car in front.
Just as both girls are breathing a sigh of relief, WHAM!!! IPhone Girl driving a Toyota slams into the back of them. Remember our little talk and post about distracted driving here at PFHQ last week? Well, the girl driving the other car must not read PF ... the horror!
Emma called the police and handled everything so well that there wasn't much to do when we got there, except to hug her like crazy ... and take her and her roomies out to lunch ... and take her grocery shopping.
I got a cool new USF Bulls hat out of that deal.
I graded papers all the way back while Mrs. FC drove us in her truck, both of us relieved that the girls were okay, that the damage to the girl's vehicle was minor, and that no one was seriously hurt.
The girls were sore from the impact and will probably be sorer Tuesday ... Emma said Iphone Girl seemed to be on the phone and hardly braked before the impact, so they took a good jolt. The Hyundai Santa Fe they were in was barely damaged, but Iphone Girl's Toyota had to be towed away.
Be careful out there.
26 comments:
Oh, Fc, my heart jumped right up in my throat when I read that. I can't imagine what yours and Mrs. FC's did when you got the call.
I have come to hate folks who talk on cell phones when driving. I know that is a strong word, but we have had so many close calls as they float along in their own little cloud of oblivion...there is no excuse except selfishness. I am so glad that Emma and her friend are okay.
Thank God the girls are ok! Big hugs to all of you.
Gotta have you and the Mrs. over for dinner sometime when you're over our way again(not when it's an emergency though). :)
I'm glad to hear Emma and her roommate are okay. And I'm glad to hear she kept so level headed about it. I've been in that situation a few times, so I know the pit you feel in your stomach when you don't know.
As for days off, my school teacher son in western Kansas got an unexpected day off last week: a snow day!
Way to go Emma! Really happy that you weren't seriously hurt!
Lightnin
Oh, I am glad everything turned out good. That is why up here it is against the law to talk on a phone while driving! But it isn't just phones that can be a distraction! Take care and I am glad that Emma and her friend came out ok. Very good driving on her part!
Oh, dear. We know that feeling when a child far away from home calls and has been in an accident. There's no more hopeless feeling than not being able to get there to help. So, glad your school was understanding and you and Mrs. FC could take a drive and see for yourself she was okay. Hope Emma's not too sore today. Tell her not to be too quick to dismiss any aches and pains when IPhone girl's insurance company calls her to ask wanting to close the claim.
So glad they were OK. Hoping everyone is feeling better quickly and the girl's insurance ponies up without quibble...
Thank goodness! I just love the PF kids! I was worried.
Glad to hear no one was hurt.
Whew, glad to hear they are fine. Scary to get a call like that.
Glad to hear they are fine. If IPhone skank was yakking, she should be caned. If texting, shot.
Hyundais are, or at least were, tanks. Mine weighs nearly 3 tons. Many parts and places where other manufacturers use plastic, composites, and aluminum, Hyundai uses (or used)steel.
Those phone calls are the worst. I'm so glad that Emma and her roommate came through okay. I hope they're not too sore today. Send them my good wishes.
!!!!!
Thank God they're okay. Hope they recover soon...
This blog's been scary lately.
Emma.......know you read this. Glad that you and your roommate are okay. Hope you're not too sore.
FC,
Another heart stopper. Sometimes you remind me of my dad. Always dropping things to come to his daughters' aid. Good parents you guys are.
I was just on a bus tour yesterday and the driver was on the phone quite a bit. Not working related unless he tells his boss "I love you too". Was really ticking me off. I told the tour organizer and noticed not more phone calls.
Patti
Glad Emma and Elise are okay! Enough close calls for now...you're scaring your readers!
Glad the girls are ok!
I was telling my new to driving teenager the other day that it's not so much you hitting them that you have to worry about - it's them hitting you.
Thanks for all the well wishes! Feeling better today!
Emma
emma, i second what cathy s. said above. if toyota-cellphone's insurance calls, DO NOT say you are "fine" until you are fully recovered. tell the truth: that she is a horrible and inattentive driver, and that you are still sore [if that is true]. and if you are still sore tomorrow, maybe see a doctor.
i'm SO glad you weren't badly injured! but that stupid jerk hit your car pretty hard. if you turn out to have, for example, a strain that keeps hurting and could use medical treatment and/or physical therapy, her insurance won't pay if you have told them you are "fine." [even if, by "fine" you mean, "thank dog i'm not dead, and no broken bones!"]
emma, that's just my 2 cents -- think it over. it is exactly what i would say to my own adult children and their friends. her auto insurance company is just not going to have your [and your friend's] long term health as its priority, in my opinion.
FC, you and mrs. FC are wonderful parents!
Gulp. The phone call every parent dreads. Glad it wasn't as serious as it could have been. xoxo
VERY glad to hear she was ok! What is it going to take for people to realize they shouldn't text or use these devices while driving? Everyone seems to think they have it under control, until that moment where they run into someone.
I don't know if you heard about the high school girl from the Tampa Bay area who skipped school with a few of her friends, and drove through an intersection while text messaging... and promplty slammed into a police cruiser? Fortunately noone was hurt. (shaking head).
got one of those calls some years back. relieved that yours turned out as well as mine. no serious injuries. tho my daughter put the car in the creek.
best wishes for your healyh emma.
well.... healyh should be health.
Thank youall. Sorry I'm so tardy responding OR posting. Just a little busy lately and yowza, it gets dark early.
I really appreciate the great advice and warm thoughts.
Emma - Glad to hear you're OK!
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