We hope this note finds everyone well and as we are, trudging along through January.
Yet another milestone in our stay in Las Vegas (7 months now) - and one that we won't soon forget. I write this blog with the threat of tears in the distance as the incident is still very new. On Thursday evening - as Robert and I were settling down for some TV followed not to far off ....sleep, my cell phone rang. My sons panicked voice was coming over the line. He'd been the victim of a hit and run accident. Before I go on - I'll add -Thankfully, he and his passengers are only bruised, slightly battered and in a state of shock.
Back to the phone call - he was very much in a panicked state and in the 22 second conversation, he couldn't tell me where he was before the line went dead. I redialed his number. He was able to give me a street crossing.
Robert and I headed for the truck and the Thomas Brothers street guide only to find that the street he'd given us was not listed. That isn't unusual around here as the growth is ......well .....growing!!! Dialing Randall was not an option again as his cell was dead. You can't imagine the horrible feeling that we were experiencing at that moment. We took off anyway - not having a clue where we were headed. As we left our neighborhood, we noticed the flashing lights of emergency vehicles just a couple of blocks away. The valley we live in is flat - you can see for miles in any direction. We came upon a road block. Apparently, the surrounding area was shut to traffic due to a fire in the area. The paroling officer approached our truck and I relayed our story and asked if he could help. He quickly called dispatch and within just a moment, had the address of the accident.
About 30 minutes later and the most silent and what seemed like endless ride I've ever experienced - we pulled up on our destination. The first thing I saw was my son .....standing on his own two feet. After hugging him and not wanting to let go - we took a tour of the damage while he and the traffic officers explained what happened.
According to the witnesses, a silver-grey van of some type pulled out from a side street, crossing traffic to head in the opposite direction as Randall....onto a busy (6 lane road) right in front of Randall. Randall was in the right hand lane (closest to the side street) and going about 40 mph. His options were to t-bone the van or swerve and end up where he did.....over a curb, up on the sidewalk and into a 12 foot reinforced brick wall. In the swerve, he only nicked the end of the van. You can see the damage on the front right hand side of the car.
This whole thing has definitely put us closer to everyone we call friends and family! Realizing that we take so much for granted on a daily basis....life included.
The kids are coping in their own ways - I don't think the phone has left Randall's ear since the accident. Not to mention the computer. I glanced at him at one point sitting in his PC chair with the computer on, headset on and one headset earpiece OVER his cell phone (holding the cell phone to his ear). He has all these gadgets hooked up so he can talk with folks on the PC too. Just gabbing away. Made me smile to be able to hear all that gabbing going on and to see him dealing with his emotions the way he was.
We went out last night to pick up a rental car for Randall to get around until the insurance mess is settled. Looks like the car will be totalled. Very sad - Randall only had the Honda for three months. He's been searching the Internet for the next one. I walked by his monitor yesterday and saw a picture of a big yellow 52 passenger bus...... All I could do was smile and shake my head....great. This explanation will have to come later. For some of you, you already know it - and I can see the smiles!
Again, we are very thankful for the outcome of all of this. However angry we may be that the person driving the van ran the stop sign, he'd probably have been in pretty bad shape had Randall not made the decision he did and his car ended up in the lap of the other driver. Regardless of the fault, that would have been something pretty hard to live with for my son. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
I will close by mentioning the weather.....as usual! Today, we are experiencing rain. Temps are in the 40's. Can't see the mountains from my office window. Dreary looking ...but we are all warm and safe and THANKFUL!
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