Two Choices Collide

It had been the most wonderful night out with friends.

I'm talking good, clean fun.  No drinking, no smoking, no drugs.  Just a group of high school friends brought together by similar values, enjoying each other's company.  We had spent the evening at the beach, and it was getting late, so we said our goodbyes and drove home.

But I never made it.

Nearby, someone else was having fun, too.  But not the same kind of fun.  19-year-old James was drinking.  A lot.  And by the time he got into his car to go home, he had become a serious danger on the road.  And I became his victim.

I was driving the 45 mph speed limit on a busy boulevard, just blocks from making a right turn onto a quiet street that would lead me home.  Without any warning, my car was struck from behind with such force that it went into a complete spin, flipped onto its roof, and crashed into a brick wall surrounding a motel, just yards away from a crowded restaurant.

I can still remember every detail: Happily driving down the street, looking straight ahead, unaware that further behind me a drunk driver was flooring it at 85 mph, weaving in and out of traffic.  As I drove through a green light and got closer to my turn, the world suddenly started spinning.  Then everything turned upside down.  As my car came to a stop, I could hear people running towards me.  Someone screamed, "Get out before it blows!"  I was in shock, but managed to scramble out of the mangled car by crawling through broken glass and out the rear window.  As I stumbled onto the pavement, I was immediately assisted by numerous bystanders.

A funny thing, shock.  At the time of the accident, I felt no pain, no fear.  Just the need to survive.  The bystanders helped me sit down, and in what seemed like no time, paramedics were treating me, street traffic was being diverted by police, witnesses were giving statements, and my parents were being notified.

Then the pain began.  At first, it ran through my entire body, then came to concentrate in my left shoulder and neck.  Next, the reality of what had happened started to sink in.  I looked around at the chaotic scene, trying to make sense of it all.  I looked for the other driver, but never saw his face.  I did catch a glimpse of his car, though.  It was white, compact, and had barely any damage.  My car, on the other hand, was completely totaled.  He walked away without any injuries.  My injuries included a broken collar bone, deep cuts, massive bruises, and eventually fear, as I was rolled into an ambulance and rushed off to the nearest emergency room.

It wasn't just two cars that collided that night.  It was two choices that collided.  And the frustrating thing is, we see it again, and again, and again.  Drunk and drugged drivers injuring or killing others on the road.  Even though the urgent message to not drink or do drugs and drive has been out there for years, it just keeps happening.  Help us make it stop.

Please join us as Girls Support Network hosts the Orange County Sheriff's Department for a night on Teen Substance Abuse this Friday, April 19th from 7:00-8:30pm at Mission Lutheran Church, 24360 Yosemite Road, Laguna Niguel.  This presentation is free, open to the public, and for adults only - no children allowed.  Come learn about the current trends in drinking, drugs, and the subcultures that support this dangerous behavior.

And, please: No matter how invincible you feel when you're intoxicated, make a smart choice and have a sober person drive you home.  We want to see your wonderful nights out end safely.

For more info contact:
Girls Support Network
(949) 643-2440
www.GirlsSupportNetwork.org