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JMonroe · 06-02-2012, 06:49 PM

This was a bug week.

Early Wednesday morning I dropped Peggy off for her last day of work. On our (the pups were with me) way back to the campground we were stopped by a red light. A few seconds later all hell broke loose. Traffic wasn't moving fast enough for a young 20 something, according to the statement of one witness, as he'd observed her weaving back and forth between the two lanes, right before she hit us at an estimated 45 - 50 miles per hour (the speed limit there is 45). She folded the boxed frame under our Jeep Wrangler right up under the rear axle. Only the firewall of her Ford Escape kept the engine from ending up in her lap. I ended up with a huge lump on my noggin, presumably from bouncing off the steering wheel when "rebounding" (I also bent the seat back all the way down to the back seat) and tore muscle in the calves of both legs. That's not the worst part, she killed one of our beloved pups. Miraculously, the other was uninjured. Abby got trapped between the rear seat back, which was forced forward by the heavy duty steel security drawer I had installed behind the seat, and my collapsing seat. My wife immediately knew, when her phone rang less than 10 minutes after I'd dropped her off, that something was wrong.

I missed Peggy's retirement party the next day. She did still get to go, but as you can imagine this threw a bit of a wet blanket over the event. Our full time adventure has been scheduled to start this next week for a few years now. It was a scramble for me to locate a replacement for the Jeep and arrange to get the base plate, lights and brake system installed prior to our planned departure. I got a good settlement from State Farm and will take delivery of the new Jeep Wrangler Monday and King's Campers in Wausau WI will do the mods for us (they also set up the old Jeep when we bought a motor home from them in '07).

I'm getting better, but it's extremely painfull to climb the 5 steps into the motor home and it's generally painfull to walk when I first get up and I can't stoop without pain. I'm thinking there may be some improvement today, but I'd thought that yesterday morning too and it got much worse as the day went on. I really do think that this time the slight improvement is real.

Peggy had been planning a retirement trip to Las Vegas with her two sisters for a long time, leaving tomorrow morning, and I insisted that she still go. While the accident made it much more difficult and stressfull to get everything done in time, we will be able to get the apartment we'd rented for her last couple years of work closed up and get out of here "on time" Thursday morning. First stop - Petro's house. We'll be his guests, "boondocking" in his driveway for a few nights before we head west to South Dakota and beyond.

The good news - after seeing the Jeep, Peggy's decided she doesn't want that Mini after all.

RickO · 06-02-2012, 06:56 PM

So sorry to hear of this and especially for your injuries and the loss of your pup. I does sound like you're not letting it get in the way of your plans though.

It makes me wonder if the young lady might have been texting and putting on makeup when it happened.

Best of luck for a speedy recovery.... on the road!

Rick

rvjimmy · 06-02-2012, 08:03 PM

Jay glad things are on the mend. Sorry about Abby and looking forward to seeing you at Petro's house, maybe. Jim

sdennislee · 06-02-2012, 09:33 PM

Sorry to hear of your collision, especially the tragic loss of your puppy. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

MartySQ · 06-02-2012, 10:09 PM

Am sorry to hear this. Please feel better fast.

George Schweikle · 06-03-2012, 06:08 AM

And, was the other driver charged with reckless driving?. Edit, I'm curious to see how the "system" deals with someone who acts in such an irresponsible manner.

JMonroe · 06-03-2012, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Schweikle

And, was the other driver charged with reckless driving?. Edit, I'm curious to see how the "system" deals with someone who acts in such an irresponsible manner.

As we were both transported by ambulance I never got her information. We're waiting on the filing of the police report. In the meantime, State Farm is taking good care of me.

TXiceman · 06-03-2012, 07:35 AM

Glad you are mending and sorry for the loss of the pup. I see this kind of driving attitude almost every day in the Houston traffic. People are jsut in too big of a hurry and they only thing about how much they are being inconvenienced by the traffic. I guess it never occurred to them that other people have places to go and maybe they should leave a bit earlier.

Ken

G.G. · 06-03-2012, 06:31 PM

I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes as I read your story. I know how sad it is to lose a pet. They very quickly become part of the family. Here's hoping you mend quickly and have a good, safe start to your new life.

Kaexel · 06-03-2012, 07:18 PM

Thinking of you in the loss of your pup! Wishing you a full recovery from your injuries.

slickest1 · 06-03-2012, 07:22 PM

Man that sucks! I hope you heal up fast, and there won't be any permanent effects. I am so sorry for the loss of your pup. Our two go everywhere with us.

Nhytefall · 06-03-2012, 07:25 PM

May you and your beloved be re-united your pup at the Rainbow Bridge. Know that you and yours have the thoughts and prayers of myself and mine as you recover and begin your Adventure.

MAU MAU · 06-04-2012, 06:53 PM

I absolutely love my three Greyhounds, and if a useless individual like the one that hit you killed one of mine, she would not have to worry about her future because she would have none.