my car accident
it started out as a trip to arrowhead...
I'm writing this entry and showing these pics because I really do not like telling everyone what happened over and over. It just brings back all these emotions that I could really do without.
it all started on Friday, when I decided to help out with the ITASA, an annual taiwanese-american conference. True, I am not taiwanese, but I know the president of the taiwanese american union (TAU) and she really needed help with group leaders. So I volunteered and ended up leading a group around campus for a good part of the day. The conference was supposed to go in to Saturday, but I couldn't stay because I was going to an ACA retreat up in Arrowhead.
So around 7ish, I started driving my car with Gloria, Jess T, Jess L, and Tina. It was getting dark fast, but it was good bonding time. We were singing songs, talking about API issues, and even talking about the paranormal (creeeeepy). And then it happened. I was in the far left lane heading down 10 East, when suddenly the SUV in front of me stopped. The car in front of it had stopped suddenly. I did not get a good view of what happened, but there I was, trying to brake. I was going around 70 mph, and was far enough behind the SUV to make a full stop. But as I got up to the SUV, I heard a snap sound, and then lost all control of my brakes. I slammed in to the SUV and the airbags deployed.
It was surreal. The first thing I did was check how everyone was. A bit shaken, but nothing too bad. I quickly ran over to the car in front, which was hardly damaged surprisingly, to see if everyone in there was ok. They were. Running back to my car, I realized I didn't even check if I was alright yet. The airbag had hit me hard in the face, and I thought my nose was bleeding, but it was just snot...wonderful. The cops were called and information was exchanged. I was telling the cops about what happened and they basically said that this was all my fault and implied that I wasn't paying attention to the road. In the back of my head, I wanted to say "FUCK YOU Office Briggs. Don't assume what kind of driver I am." I wanted to point out the tire skid marks that went well beyond his cop car, which was two cars away from mine. I wanted to show him the rubber that had melted off the tires because I had been braking for so long. but i wasn't fully there. I was worried about those who were in my car. I was worried what my dad would think once he saw this mess. so who knows what the police report says. damn asian kid driving too fast and not paying attention maybe?
the tow truck comes, takes my car to some towyard and is still holding it. my mom and dad drive out to ontario (that's where the accident happened) and pick us all up. My mom was quick to hug me and make sure I was alright. My dad was quick to not do any of what my mom did. He assumed I was driving fast and not paying attention to the road.
basically, everyone is okay, minus some soreness here and there. I'm thankful that no one was hurt, and I've been trying to get over beating myself up about this. I really gave myself a hard time after the accident. I kept thinking, what if I had done such and such differently. What if I had not driven for this retreat? I didn't even want to drive in the first place but there weren't enough drivers. What if I had left 5 minutes later? 2? 1? But these unknown twists of fate happen and there's nothing I can do about it. I need to move on and hopefully by typing out all this and getting it out, I can move on.
Thanks to all those who checked up on me. The phone calls and chats meant a lot.
I'm writing this entry and showing these pics because I really do not like telling everyone what happened over and over. It just brings back all these emotions that I could really do without.
it all started on Friday, when I decided to help out with the ITASA, an annual taiwanese-american conference. True, I am not taiwanese, but I know the president of the taiwanese american union (TAU) and she really needed help with group leaders. So I volunteered and ended up leading a group around campus for a good part of the day. The conference was supposed to go in to Saturday, but I couldn't stay because I was going to an ACA retreat up in Arrowhead.
So around 7ish, I started driving my car with Gloria, Jess T, Jess L, and Tina. It was getting dark fast, but it was good bonding time. We were singing songs, talking about API issues, and even talking about the paranormal (creeeeepy). And then it happened. I was in the far left lane heading down 10 East, when suddenly the SUV in front of me stopped. The car in front of it had stopped suddenly. I did not get a good view of what happened, but there I was, trying to brake. I was going around 70 mph, and was far enough behind the SUV to make a full stop. But as I got up to the SUV, I heard a snap sound, and then lost all control of my brakes. I slammed in to the SUV and the airbags deployed.
It was surreal. The first thing I did was check how everyone was. A bit shaken, but nothing too bad. I quickly ran over to the car in front, which was hardly damaged surprisingly, to see if everyone in there was ok. They were. Running back to my car, I realized I didn't even check if I was alright yet. The airbag had hit me hard in the face, and I thought my nose was bleeding, but it was just snot...wonderful. The cops were called and information was exchanged. I was telling the cops about what happened and they basically said that this was all my fault and implied that I wasn't paying attention to the road. In the back of my head, I wanted to say "FUCK YOU Office Briggs. Don't assume what kind of driver I am." I wanted to point out the tire skid marks that went well beyond his cop car, which was two cars away from mine. I wanted to show him the rubber that had melted off the tires because I had been braking for so long. but i wasn't fully there. I was worried about those who were in my car. I was worried what my dad would think once he saw this mess. so who knows what the police report says. damn asian kid driving too fast and not paying attention maybe?
the tow truck comes, takes my car to some towyard and is still holding it. my mom and dad drive out to ontario (that's where the accident happened) and pick us all up. My mom was quick to hug me and make sure I was alright. My dad was quick to not do any of what my mom did. He assumed I was driving fast and not paying attention to the road.
basically, everyone is okay, minus some soreness here and there. I'm thankful that no one was hurt, and I've been trying to get over beating myself up about this. I really gave myself a hard time after the accident. I kept thinking, what if I had done such and such differently. What if I had not driven for this retreat? I didn't even want to drive in the first place but there weren't enough drivers. What if I had left 5 minutes later? 2? 1? But these unknown twists of fate happen and there's nothing I can do about it. I need to move on and hopefully by typing out all this and getting it out, I can move on.
Thanks to all those who checked up on me. The phone calls and chats meant a lot.