No gardening for me for a while...

15 years ago

All I have to say is, be careful when you are driving during this holiday season. Or, rather, just be careful and always wear your seat belts.

I was in a bad car accident Saturday evening. I was hit by a drunk driver in a large pickup truck who was fleeing accident #1 further down the road, when he slammed into the back of my car trying to get away.

Then, he backed up, rammed me again and decided to pass me on the left of my car, crossed into on coming traffic, jumped the side walk and hit a building. Once his truck came to a stop, he ran on foot to flee this accident.

The police and ambulance arrived and the police set the canine unit on him. They did finally catch him -- face first in someone's backyard Koi pond. (it may be one of your koi ponds for all I know?..).

Anyway, he's in jail. I went to the hospital via ambulance. My neck and back are totally screwed up. My car is a complete loss. I now find myself having to buy a new car - which was not in my budget of course. (sigh...)

It could have been much, much worse. I am grateful that my guardian angels were looking out for me and that my seatbelt prevented even worse injuries.

Be careful out there on the road, everyone. Always wear your seat belts, and hug your family and loved ones.

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Comments (29)

miamimami
15 years ago
omg! I am so sorry to hear you went through such a horrible experience.

i myself have been very paranoid lately as i am 9 months pregnant and i have a 1 yr old. miami is full of nutjobs.

take it easy with your recuperation.
countrynest
15 years ago
Saintpfla,I'm so sorry to hear about the accident.
May you recover quickly. All my best to you.
Felix
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katkin_gw
15 years ago
Oh no, I am so sorry to hear of your problems. I hope you recoup fast. Won't insurance help with the cost of the car?I'll pray for a speedy recovery for you. :o)
tomncath
15 years ago
Saintpfla,

You don't have an email listing posted. If there's anything Cathy and I can do to help you out please drop us a line....we're so sorry for your experience and wish you a quick recovery.

Tom
FlowerLady6
15 years ago
Dear Saintplfa ~ My heart goes out to you and I hope your recuperation goes swiftly and smoothly. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

FlowerLady
naplesgardener
15 years ago
Your accident sounds like a nightmare. glad you survived to tell the tale. hope your recovery proceeds better than expected, these things always take longer than you hope. best wishes.
puglvr1
15 years ago
Saintpfla,

I'm so sorry to hear about your horrible accident. Please take care of yourself...that's the most important thing to concentrate on right now.

Godspeed and I hope you have a speedy recovery!!
whgille
15 years ago
Saintpfla

I wish there were any words that I can tell you to soothe your pain.
Prayers and positive attitude will help you a lot. After the darkness there is always light.
Get well soon! And keep us posted on your recovery.

Willy
solstice98
15 years ago
I'm so sorry for this terrible, frightening event! And so glad you survived to tell the tale. I'm a big believer in seatbelts too and appreciate your message to all others to wear them.

Wishing you a rapid and complete recovery!

Kate
tumblingtomatoes
15 years ago
Saintpfl,
this is awful! Sorry to hear your expereince! Glad it's not worse though. Take care, hope you heal up well! Miamimiami who is pregnant, be careful too, we moved from Miami 2 yrs or so ago, the traffic was always awful there.
atreelady
15 years ago
I am so sorry to hear about your accident, but glad it wasn't worse. I hope you get better quickly. I think an accupuncturist would be able to help you with your neck and back.
teka2rjleffel
15 years ago
I'm so sorry to hear of your injuries due to a drunk driver. My daughter was killed by a drunk driver. I am a victim advocate for MADD. If I can help at all please let me know. The drunk driver's insurance should pay for your damages. There is also a fund to help crime victims with expenses. I hope you are back on your feet soon.
Nancy
Irma_StPete
15 years ago
Ohmygosh SaintPete!! Glad you let us know. How horrenduous! If I can help in any way, let me know (e-mail via My Page)... shop, look for car, etc.? (Can you drive yet?)
Irma in St Pete
trinigemini
15 years ago
I can't believe it. Glad to hear that you are okay. Hopefully that guy will never get his license back. Three hit and runs in one night, What an A%$#^&$&.
goldenpond
15 years ago
The Crazies always come out at the holidays. Why is it they think they cannot have fun without booze?
Drive defensively and pray to God for protection. Hope things look up for you.
manature
15 years ago
Oh, SPF! I'm so sorry to hear about this!!! How frightening and painful for you! I say ditto to everything everyone else has said, and I hope you recover very quickly. Thank goodness you weren't injured even worse, but any kind of pain is hard to deal with, especially when it is caused by something so needless and stupid. I hope they throw the book at this guy. You could have been bleeding to death in your car for all the thought he gave to you.

I am sending you loads of healing energy and positive thoughts, and hope that your gardening days will be back before you know it. Take very good care of yourself.

And the rest of you folks...BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

Marcia
SaintPFLA
Original Author
15 years ago
You guys are awesome! I feel the healing beginning just from your kind words and thoughts and prayers! :)

I really appreciate it and it means alot. I'm going to go back to work tomorrow. I'm getting tired of being in a drug-induced fog and sleeping around the clock.

For whatever it's worth, here's the link to the guy who hit me and the charges:

http://www.pcsoweb.com/InmateBooking/SubjectResults.aspx?id=1333460

Here's a link to all his records including his priors:

http://www.pcsoweb.com/pages/who_jail.html

I actually do feel sorry for him. His life must be incredibly miserable and full of pain and is obviously an alcoholic.

Teka2_Nancy: I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your daughter. I can't even imagine how difficult that was and still is for you. (hugs)
bluesky7
15 years ago
Saintpfla,

Am so sorry to hear about the awful accident, but am thanking God that you weren't injured too seriously. Glad they caught the idiot who caused it and arrested him. Hope he stays in jail for a long time!

My brother and grandmother were killed in a horrible car accident back in 1974. My mom and I were in it too, but miraculously emerged with only minor injuries. It was due to a blow-out from one of those lousy Firestone tires. There was a trial and all but we collected nothing from the case. Think it's because back then there wasn't much publicity yet about these defective tires. Ours was one of the first cases.

Anyway, please take care of yourself and look to God for help and healing. He is able and willing to do both.

Sheri
tenor_peggy
15 years ago
Oh dear! I hope you are recovering and I hope you can get this bozo's insurance company to pay for your bills. Instead of taking away just his license they should take away his TRUCK! What is it with drivers down here, drunk OR sober? :-[
trinigemini
15 years ago
In NY when I was there if you got caught drunk driving they did take away your vehicle....permanently. Not sure if the law is still in effect or if it was overturned....but in cases like this I think it would be good. St. Pete I would not waste any of your time feeling sorry for this loser.....even if he is an alcoholic that's no excuse for three hit and runs in one night.
cindeea
15 years ago
OH MY Sweet St P. I hope you will be OK! "Life comes at you fast"! and it's no joke. You are in my prayers. From your postings I know you to be a strong positive person and I am sure this will help you move forward. God bless, babe!!
sis3
15 years ago
Sorry to hear about your accident saintpfla. I would be happy to come pull a few weeds for you while you are out of gardening action, which I hope for your sake will not be for long!
SaintPFLA
Original Author
15 years ago
Little update...

I'm feeling a bit better -- clearly, from all the drugs - and have severe whiplash and associated aspects of THAT. I'm still a little 'spacey' too...maybe that's the drugs too?

It hurts to type and sit for a long time, so I haven't been doing much on the computer. Missed almost this entire week of work -- which I NEVER have done before.

Thanks again for the offers of weeding, gardening and general good thoughts and prayers. It really means a lot to me.

I'm not one who enjoys being 'idle' so this has been difficult for me.

I'll start my physical therapy next week (hopefully), so I'm sure once that gets going things will begin to improve all around.

In speaking to the State Attorney, I found out that this guy has a long history of criminal activity including violence (how nice...) and has been to prison twice. The truck he was driving was actually stolen as well.

I have to admit, all of this 'news' is a little scary. I'm just hoping he's not the vindictive type.
linchat
15 years ago
Thats terrible. Drunk driver causing serious accident = rope anyone?
barbcoleus
15 years ago
SPF, Sorry to hear about your accident. I agree 100% on your thoughts about seat belts.
Maybe now is the time to take a chair into the garden that you've been working on for so long and just enjoy the fruits of your labor. I'm sure that will be therapeutic as well.
wanda662
15 years ago
Wish all of us could live closer so we could help you out!
Bad time of year for sure!

Here is to healing power for you and your family! We will keep you in our prayers!
teeka0801(7aNoVa)
15 years ago
I am here in St Pete if you need any help, just holler.

E-mail me and I'll get you my phone number,etcand I can get you groceries or whatever, please let me help!

That whiplash thing can go on for a while but glad to hear you are getting PT and hopefully that will help alot.

teeka
Lisa Brown
15 years ago
Sorry to hear that, what a horrible thing to happen to you!
Sending positive thoughts for a fast recovery...

Lisa B
rainy230
15 years ago
What a horrible thing to have happen. I'm Sending healing thoughts and hugs. Be careful not to push yourself. Take care of you first..

No gardening for me for a while...

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