I "Saw" the News Today, Oh Boy...

Driving to work this morning I saw what would probably rank as one of the most devastating automobile accidents I have ever seen in my entire life. Even the infamous "Highway of Death," during the expulsion of Iraqi troops from Kuwait pales by comparison. I am not saying this simply to be gruesome, but seeing the accident as it actually happened sort of put me in a bad state of mind. I've seen blood and guts, been shot at and even stabbed, but hell if I have ever seen anything uglier than this.

The cause of the accident was not very clear to me as I drove by (and yes, I did call 911, as did the other handful of people who stopped and tried to help). In the hopes of not being too graphic, all I can say was that the driver of the automobile was exposed, the entire roof of the vehicle was ripped back like a can of sardines, and what was left of the auto body was wrapped around a utility pole. The driver was not conscious and appeared in a awkward position; blood, however, was everywhere. I could tell it was a woman, and the first thought that came to my mind was to see if I could tell whether or not there was a child seat in the back. Judging by the destruction caused, I would have to believe the car was driving over the 35 mph limit which is standard on W. 130th street. I am no physics expert, but there can be no way that car was sent (obviously) flying through the air at 35 mph, not even at 40 mph.

When I arrived at work, my students were coming in late because of the accident and the traffic chaos it created. Later, another student told me that there was a S.W.A.T. team vehicle blocking the scene and that there was "Crime Scene" tape all over the place.

Why am I writing about this? I am not quite sure, other than to say I was shocked. Is it an indication I am getting a little "soft" around the edges? I don't think that 17, 20, or even 21 years ago I would have acted differently simply because I was a US Marine. Frankly, just like the "Highway of Death," the scene this morning was unbelievable and indescribable. I'll leave it at that, and for John Lennon to explain the rest, "I read the news today, oh boy..."