Near-death drama of a grateful mama
It has been 12 years since the day I almost died.
I seldom reflect upon it anymore, nor have I really written about it. Well, except for when I poured out my soul for an essay contest in college, only to win an honorable mention. I suspect I would have taken first if I’d have actually died. Nothing like tales from the crypt….
Memories of my accident came back to haunt me in consuming flashes last week on our way home from a trip. A semi-truck did not see our SUV and changed into our lane. I do not want to think what would have happened if my husband had not been quick to react. Shaking, I looked over to the right-hand side of the car at my sweet boy who would have received the brunt of the impact. Once again, I was reminded of what a simple blessing it is to be alive.
It was March 1996 and my friend Heidi and I planned to ski at Park City Mountain Resort. I was the Executive Director of PR for our student government and had been heavily promoting this student-sanctioned ski day. And so what better way to publicize it than to skip school and do it?
I had intended to clean out my car but didn’t have time so we threw our skis in the backseat and grabbed some fast food instead. We were driving on the I-15 gabbing away when we encountered a slow-moving semi truck in the middle lane. The left-hand lane was blocked, so without hesitation I moved to pass the semi in the right lane.
That was when it happened.
Without seeing us, the semi changed into my lane, sending us reeling across the three lanes of traffic into the median. We bounced off it in a deadly pinball game, only to land underneath the back tires of the truck. It proceeded to run over the backseat of my car and spew us back out onto the median.
This is the account the witnesses gave. My experience was very different. I felt the initial impact and knew we were spinning. But then there was light. It wasn’t something that I saw but rather, it was something that penetrated me to my core. I lived an eternity in those few seconds that I could never even try to describe other than to say I have never felt so divinely protected.
When we finally stopped, there was a long pause as we sat in stunned silence. I chose to break it.
“Heidi, I don’t think we’re going skiing today.” Hilarity ensued. We surveyed the damage. The semi’s tire tracks were merely three inches from my seat, completely destroying the back of the car where our skis were located.
“I’m sure glad I didn’t clean my car today.” More laughter.
Within moments, a trauma nurse and police officer were on the scene. “These girls are delirious,” they prescribed.
I didn’t have heart to tell him we were always like that.
Eventually, they had to call in the jaws of life to get us out. We were rushed to the hospital and were miraculously given a clean bill of health.
Well, minus some inevitable bruises and whiplash. The next day when I was limping around my apartment, someone asked how I was doing.
I looked pointedly at them before blithely replying, “I feel like I’ve been run over by a semi.”
Duh. 
Have you or your family had any brushes with death?
You will have to forgive me….as horrific as your story was….how the heck do you manage to make it so darned FUNNY? I was laughing my tuche off, reading about your reaction when the car settled in the median and help arrived.
I have had a few very close calls, that left me shaking in my boots, but so far nothing so severe as what you endured.
The stakes change once we have ourselves a family, doesn’t it? Although I worry about my spouse and myself….it PALES compared to the worry about my KIDS. They haven’t started driving yet or catching rides with their friends but I know when that day comes, it’ll mark the end of whatever sleep-fulfilling nights I have right now!
OMG, that was close. What a story! And I love your attitude and comments right after
I’m glad you are OK.
We haven’t really had any instances with cars, but our son had seizures while eating and I have done the Heimlich a dozen times on him, because he had a mini seizure while eating and started choking. And when his seizures were really bad, we had to give him CPR while waiting for the ambulance. Not fun.
Amber, that was freaky. I am impressed with your ability to make light of the situation, even IN the situation…but my.gawd. How terrifying.
Knock on wood, cross fingers, etc. I haven’t experienced anything like that…
Happy St. Patty’s Day!
Heidi
Amber, girlfriend I tried desperately not to laugh, but you got me at “I feel like I’ve been run over by a semi!” I couldn’t hold back. What a horrible experience. When I was 5 my family was involved in a 4 car accident caused by a train. The train hit the car in front, to the left of us, causing the vehicle to hit us and so on. I had a plastic spoon in my mouth because I was eating ice cream. All I remember from that ax was having the spoon stuck on the top of my mouth.
Well, compared to this, I got nuttin’!
However, when I was a freshmen in college I got a parking ticket and it scared the bejeebies out of me because, once again, I had been lost and was one parking stall away from the “D” lot but was technically in the “A” lot. But by far the worst for me has been when, as a senior in high school, I followed the car in front of me out of the parking lot without waiting for the slow and methodical parking-arm-gate-thing to do it’s obligatory “down and up” between each exiting car. It came down right on top of my car and made a big dent in my car. I was petrified for weeks that my parents would find out. They never asked – I never told. I still live in fear….
But nothing compares to the fear that now exists in me as my 15 year old is starting to drive – with permit! That is a funny word. “Permit”. It’s like they are now “permitted” to be in the eyes of death – along with anyone who is in the car!
I’m glad you are alive, Amber. I enjoy you. May we all learn to laugh and live as freely as you! Sometimes I think that is the only coping mechanism we have outside of mere miracles!
God bless.
Wow.
I haven’t had anything like that happen to me, but I firmly believe Lance has– when he first began walking, he toddled into the kitchen. Once I realized he was out of sight, I stood up to go get him, because the kitchen floor was hard and if he fell, I knew he would get hurt.
Before I was halfway out of my seat, I heard shattering. I had a heavy stoneware baking dish drying on the counter on top of a dishtowel. The towel was hanging over the edge of the counter by about an inch. It was enough for lance to grab and pull down. The baking dish shattered, and I have no idea how it didn’t fall directly on his head. He got a tiny scratch on his nose and that was all. I’m sure an angel was standing over him, keeping the dish from falling on his head.
My husband was hit by a car 10 years ago this wednesday…and he was a pedestrian. We always “celebrate” that he lived and go to Mass and thank God for keeping him safe.
(we got married on a 10th and celebrate the 10th of every month too…our priest suggested it…who am I to argue with him).
Thanks for sharing your story.
That is Crazy Amber!!!!
Oh my gosh- I am so glad you are ok. I’ve never experienced anything like that and hope to never… and let me say again, I am so glad you are ok!
Steph
P.S. That was me- Anonymous- up there!
Steph
I can only imagine that they must have thought you both were delirious when you were laughing after that kind of experience.
When my 16 y.o. was a baby (and safely strapped in his carseat) I flipped the van. When it finally stopped we were upside down–I have to admit I was not laughing.
Not a family member, but my best friend. We were walking and talking down a side walk in Provo in the evening, just enjoying the nice summer nights. We came to a intersection and had the “walk” sign so we looked and walked. All of the sudden my arm just leap out infront of me and grabbed my friend and pulled…PULLED HARD. She came ripping back and I looked up and a car was inches from me and would have completly ran her over! The car’s mirrow smacked my friend, but she was okay.
The driver was trying to make room for herself and get through traffic on a green yeild turn light. She was just looking for room to go and not for pedestrians.
What was amazing is that I wasn’t even paying attention and I didn’t grab her. My arm just shot out. I can’t even explain what is felt like. But thank goodness that was some kind of intervention going on because my friend would have been run over and probably killed.
OMG. Sometimes the humour in life will get you through. Wow, you girls are a couple of lucky chicklets.
OMG. Sometimes the humour in life will get you through. Wow, you girls are a couple of lucky chicklets.
OMG. Sometimes the humour in life will get you through. Wow, you girls are a couple of lucky chicklets.
how scary! yes, you were divinely protected. one never knows what the next minute will hold. i’m sure you felt more alive and wanting to experience life to it’s fullest after that.
We’ve had our fair share of close calls, but have always been divinely protected as well. The latest was about a year ago when my girls and I were waiting to turn left across traffic into the school. I was stopped, and the guy behind me thought he’d go around. He realized he didn’t have enough room and rear-ended my jeep, totalling it. My oldest had a bloody lip from her back pack flying up and hitting her face, and I had 7 weeks of physical therapy for whiplash. I actually enjoyed the therapy. A deep muscle massage is great! I loved my jeep, and that was the saddest part.
Wow, Amber. I’m glad you and all the family are o.k. Someone must have been trying to rid the glaxay of all Johnson kin this past weekend. Jeremy, Chris, and I were coming down from Soliture this weekend and barely missed a four car pile up. It was so scary. All the cars should have hit, one car was on the brink of tipping over completely, but miraculous we all served out of each other’s way. Scary! Kiss those kiddies for me and tell them I’m glad all is well.
Love, Tammy
Wow, what a story and thank goodness you both walked away unharmed. Something was looking out for you both – no doubt about it.
I have had a brush with death but not car accident related. Several years ago I went into anaphlyactic shock at my workplace and was lucky that paramedics arrived when they did. I indeed did see the light and was very, very lucky. Amazing how things work; second chances are only for those select few.
http://andallthejonesmen.blogspot.com
Only you could tell about that story in a humorous way, Amber! I am glad that all ended well with the kiddos and Jaime was quick in his response. Everything changes when you have kids!! Protecting them becomes first and foremost on your mind that is for sure. Happy St. Patty’s Day!
How scary, Amber! I cannot believe how close that was!
I had a near-death experience today on the Shaka-ride at the waterslide park. I’m not ever going to go on that ride again. But maybe that doesn’t really count…
Thankfully I have never been involved in anything like that…but last July my little brother was riding a bicycle when he was struck head on by a speeding car. My entire family watched in horror as he flew into the windshield and off into the brush. Several members of my Family rushed to him while others raced for cell service (we were in the mountains). The driver dragged the bike up the hill about 50 feet before he shook it off and sped away! The doctors were astonished that he was alive when the helicopter touched down. His entire face was crushed, his back and neck were broken in multiple places, and his skull was cracked. he never should have made it. He shouldn’t be able to WALK around without any brain damage, and he definitely shouldn’t have been jumping a snow machine off a cornice just five months after the accident! Our Father in Heaven was in charge that day!
I love the movie Juno-
I am so happy I never had to utter those words to my parents till I was 23 and married.
wow, just wow! i can’t imagine how scary that must have been at the time. i’m so glad everything turned out just fine. you certainly kept your sense of humor through it all.
you are hilarious! 
amy
crunchy domestic goddess
I remember when you posted this last year. So scary! I was in a crash that put me in the hospital for three days. I also did a death-defying dive, er, very bad jump into a pool that wasn’t deep enough, and I almost got hit by a train once. Life is a tricky business sometimes!
I am so glad I don’t have a story to share here! I’m so glad you came out of this ok, and the second time with your family too.
My mother died when she hit a semi truck head on, December 13, 1983. I was 13 years old. It was probably the most defining moment of my life.
I’m glad you all escaped unharmed.
That’s amazing, Amber. What else could you do at that point. They (whomever they are) say there is a fine line between laughter and tears.
Good gracious! It sounds like so many of us have had some close calls but none so close as horoscopically blonde’s mother losing her life. How sorry I am…
I rolled my truck into a ditch 4 years ago. While I was upside down and being pulled out through my smashed in passenger side window I couldn’t help but continue to laugh and make comments like how I was glad to have clean underwear on and telling the ambulance crew that I left my dignity in the truck when they asked if I left anything important behind.
I guess we should all adopt ‘I Will Survive’ as our theme songs to life!
EEk Amber! And YIKES!
About a year and a half ago, my husband took our two oldest kids (ages 7 and 4) and my 7 year-olds best friend on an outing. About 5 minutes after they left, he called to say they had been in a car accident. They were okay, but they girls were crying.
I honestly don’t know how I managed to put our infant into her car seat and get to the accident scene. The way the intersection was, I had to drive past the accident where the emergency crews had already arrived and loop around to get to it. It was truly horrible.
My husband was distracted listening to the girls talking and turned in front of an SUV. The side where our oldest was got struck. Truly, and truly, thanks be to God that her head was turned towards her friend and the shattering glass from the window missed her eyes. She ended up with 12 stiches on her temple from the glass, but never made contact with the metal frame, or she would’ve had a brain injury.
The other two kids and my husband were totally unscathed. But, you can imagine making that phone call to the little girl’s parents. It was horrible, though they were very gracious and forgiving.
I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am that we have all of our children intact. An amazing miracle for which I am blessed beyond measure to have.