FATE? (Long Posting)
03-05-2007, 10:16 AM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
FATE? (Long Posting)
FATE / What would YOU have done?
-------------------------------------------
I had absolutely no plan to go flying Saturday morning. In fact, on Friday
I had mentally scheduled several 'chores' that needed to be
completed. However, for some odd reason, when I awoke at 6, I felt this
need to get up and just drive to the airport. With no flight planned and
no airplane reserved, this didn't make a whole lot of sense, but I could
not shrug off this 'need' to go. So I did.
The wife urged me to take the Ford, readily accessible in the driveway,
since she had no immediate need for it. Again, however, I felt this need
to, instead, take the much faster 911, even though it meant having to
jump thru' additional hoops in order to maneuver it out of the locked
garage and out of the driveway. (Said driveway, of course, blocked by
the aforementioned, conveniently parked Ford.)
So there I am, 7:10am on a Saturday morning, motoring along on the
Southern State Parkway, heading to the airport some 50 miles away, with
no plane reserved and no flight planned, listening to Click-n-Clack (The
tappet brothers) on PBS radio.
In my rear view mirror I catch a glimpse of a small sub-compact darting
in and out of traffic and being a general nuisance. He passes me on the
inside lane and proceeds to attempt to maneuver around traffic ahead by
accelerating, lane switching and tailgating. For the next few minutes,
I, and I'm sure others, just shook our collective heads at this idiot,
now no more than 200 feet or so in front, still zipping around,
not having achieved anything nor having improved his overall progress whatsoever.
Then both the world and time itself seemed to slow down, as I watched,
in total disbelief at what began to unfold right in front of my eyes:
He moves from the inside lane into the middle lane and accelerates. The
car, in front of him, is maintaining a steady pace so he has to
brake. To his left, in the passing lane, is a red Ford Explorer. A few
seconds go by and the smallest of gaps opens up in front of the
Explorer. He just turns into this smallest of gaps causing the driver of
the Ford to swerve violently to his left so as to avoid an imminent
collision. The Ford starts to, literally, fishtail wildly as its poor
driver attempts to maintain lane. Blue clouds of smoke begin to swirl
around as the tires began to leave skid marks on the parkway's
blacktop.
I mentally say to myself "Don't over-correct, c'mon man, you can steady
her", as I simultaneously slowly lift off the accelerator and begin to
subdivide/pay closer attention to what is happening in front and to
what is around me.
Then, what must have been no more than three or four car-lengths from me, the
Explorer suddenly flips and starts to tumble and roll, still in the passing
lane, but heading in the general direction of the grassy median.
EVERYONE immediately and simultaneously begins to slow down. Brake
lights are everywhere. What we all hoped would _not_ happen, has, and
right before our very eyes. Unbelievable!
We've all seen similar events on 'COPS', courtesy of dashboard-cams, but
that's TV. It's 'numbingly shocking' when you see it for yourself.
I'm still in the middle lane, now proceeding at a snails-pace, and looking,
in disbelief as outside my left window, in apparent slow motion, as a
tumbling suv, its windows shattered, its body panels kicking up mud,
slowly settles on the grassy median.
I glance to my right and rear and see many drivers maneuvering off to the
side with the clear intention of stopping to lend a hand, many already
on their cell phones.
I look ahead and catch sight of the car that has 'caused' this. It's
still in the middle lane, but has now increased its speed so as to
surreptitiously merge with the receding front-group of cars in an
obvious attempt to 'distance itself' as quickly as possible.
For me, time stopped for a brief moment, as I instantly weighed the two
basic choices left to me; come to a complete stop and join the multitude
of other drivers lending a hand ...or go after this car (and get the
lic. plate). For, let's face it, here I am, in, what is probably the most
powerful car amongst all the other drivers around me and with absolutely no
appointment to keep.
So I floored it.
I rowed thru' the gears and quickly closed, what was once a large and
increasing gap, between the crash site and the front group of cars. The
car that caused the accident, a Scion, is now at the rear of this
particular group. He had to have seen the flip-over, he could NOT have
missed it!
I'm now also sure he caught a glimpse of me in his rear-view, because he began to drive
even more aggressively and sped up even more.
I took a look in MY rear-view ...and saw that I was alone. So be it.
As we both proceeded eastbound, he darting in and around other cars, at
speeds way, way over the limit in an attempt to 'lose' me, I still
managed to 'keep a visual' and stay reasonably close. However,
I'll admit, at several points I _had_ to back off so that *I*, myself,
didn't cause an accident, as *I* maneuvered in and around traffic. I
also endeavored to maneuver so as not to give the impression, to
motorist that I sailed by, that we were in cahoots and 'drag-racing'.
Every time that I seemed to successfully close the gap - almost enough
to get a definite bead on his lic. plate - another car would either pull
in front of me (argh!) or he would further distance himself by accelerating away.
As I 'stayed with him', I thought to myself; if I had taken the wife's
car, he would have left me in the dust a long time ago. Weird.
We continued this cat-n-mouse for miles (and I mean miles). He would
move into the exit lane and 'pretend' to get off at an exit - only to
speed up and cut even more motorists off as he forcefully maneuvered
into the passing lane to 'open her up' in a vain attempt to increase this
margin.
As exit 34 approached (the crash happened around exit 18 or so) he began
to slow down and purposefully move into the exit lane. I stayed in the
middle lane ...'just in case'. As the sign for 'Farmingdale - route 109'
appeared he spiked the steering, peeled off and made a decisive exit. I
responded by accelerating and closing on his rear because I knew if he
got away and into 'side streets' then -- game over.
My whole focus, all along, but moreso now, was to get close and
unequivocally get that friggin' number plate.
As I dropped her into 2nd. gear and hauled her around the exit ramp I
caught sight of something wonderful in the near distance ...a RED stop
light with several cars already occupying all three lanes. He had no
choice but to come to a stop.
I stopped right behind him and locked my eyeballs on his plate. I kept
on reciting his number plate over and over, like a line to a
favorite poem, as I simultaneously took note of the color (dark blue)
and type of car (Scion tc).
Then I eased out the clutch, moved out from behind, stopped alongside
and looked right at him. He was, now, no more than 5 feet from me. He
looked straight ahead but had that expression of "%$^*" on his face.
Then he casually looked to his left and our eyes met but I just kept on
staring until he looked away. He was not happy.
When the lights went green he floored it and took the right side-street
but, at this stage, I really didn't care, I HAD him! All I needed now
was a cop. (Can you find one when you need one?)
Continually reciting the lic. plate aloud, as I drove slowly along
rte-109 south, my eyes earnestly searching for a cop -- I caught sight
of, in almost total disbelief, a sign: State Trooper Headquarters /
Republic Airport Terminal (on right).
Thankyou God!
I filed a full report with the desk clerk and agreed, having provided my
own personal information, to speak with the 'on-scene' investigators,
should they decide to call for additional details.
Then, I'll fully admit, having gotten back into my car ...I started
shaking.
After calming down a bit, I reversed direction, got back onto the
Southern State then drove somewhat conservatively to the airport where
from behind the desk, the staff expressed their surprise at seeing me,
somewhat unannounced and with no airplane reservation! ("You're here
because.....?!")
As I sat down beside the warm stove, slowly beginning to relax, sipping
on a cup of micro-waved coffee and gnawing on a donut, I began to divulge
what had just transpired.
I still, even now, have more questions than answers.
G.
-------------------------------------------
I had absolutely no plan to go flying Saturday morning. In fact, on Friday
I had mentally scheduled several 'chores' that needed to be
completed. However, for some odd reason, when I awoke at 6, I felt this
need to get up and just drive to the airport. With no flight planned and
no airplane reserved, this didn't make a whole lot of sense, but I could
not shrug off this 'need' to go. So I did.
The wife urged me to take the Ford, readily accessible in the driveway,
since she had no immediate need for it. Again, however, I felt this need
to, instead, take the much faster 911, even though it meant having to
jump thru' additional hoops in order to maneuver it out of the locked
garage and out of the driveway. (Said driveway, of course, blocked by
the aforementioned, conveniently parked Ford.)
So there I am, 7:10am on a Saturday morning, motoring along on the
Southern State Parkway, heading to the airport some 50 miles away, with
no plane reserved and no flight planned, listening to Click-n-Clack (The
tappet brothers) on PBS radio.
In my rear view mirror I catch a glimpse of a small sub-compact darting
in and out of traffic and being a general nuisance. He passes me on the
inside lane and proceeds to attempt to maneuver around traffic ahead by
accelerating, lane switching and tailgating. For the next few minutes,
I, and I'm sure others, just shook our collective heads at this idiot,
now no more than 200 feet or so in front, still zipping around,
not having achieved anything nor having improved his overall progress whatsoever.
Then both the world and time itself seemed to slow down, as I watched,
in total disbelief at what began to unfold right in front of my eyes:
He moves from the inside lane into the middle lane and accelerates. The
car, in front of him, is maintaining a steady pace so he has to
brake. To his left, in the passing lane, is a red Ford Explorer. A few
seconds go by and the smallest of gaps opens up in front of the
Explorer. He just turns into this smallest of gaps causing the driver of
the Ford to swerve violently to his left so as to avoid an imminent
collision. The Ford starts to, literally, fishtail wildly as its poor
driver attempts to maintain lane. Blue clouds of smoke begin to swirl
around as the tires began to leave skid marks on the parkway's
blacktop.
I mentally say to myself "Don't over-correct, c'mon man, you can steady
her", as I simultaneously slowly lift off the accelerator and begin to
subdivide/pay closer attention to what is happening in front and to
what is around me.
Then, what must have been no more than three or four car-lengths from me, the
Explorer suddenly flips and starts to tumble and roll, still in the passing
lane, but heading in the general direction of the grassy median.
EVERYONE immediately and simultaneously begins to slow down. Brake
lights are everywhere. What we all hoped would _not_ happen, has, and
right before our very eyes. Unbelievable!
We've all seen similar events on 'COPS', courtesy of dashboard-cams, but
that's TV. It's 'numbingly shocking' when you see it for yourself.
I'm still in the middle lane, now proceeding at a snails-pace, and looking,
in disbelief as outside my left window, in apparent slow motion, as a
tumbling suv, its windows shattered, its body panels kicking up mud,
slowly settles on the grassy median.
I glance to my right and rear and see many drivers maneuvering off to the
side with the clear intention of stopping to lend a hand, many already
on their cell phones.
I look ahead and catch sight of the car that has 'caused' this. It's
still in the middle lane, but has now increased its speed so as to
surreptitiously merge with the receding front-group of cars in an
obvious attempt to 'distance itself' as quickly as possible.
For me, time stopped for a brief moment, as I instantly weighed the two
basic choices left to me; come to a complete stop and join the multitude
of other drivers lending a hand ...or go after this car (and get the
lic. plate). For, let's face it, here I am, in, what is probably the most
powerful car amongst all the other drivers around me and with absolutely no
appointment to keep.
So I floored it.
I rowed thru' the gears and quickly closed, what was once a large and
increasing gap, between the crash site and the front group of cars. The
car that caused the accident, a Scion, is now at the rear of this
particular group. He had to have seen the flip-over, he could NOT have
missed it!
I'm now also sure he caught a glimpse of me in his rear-view, because he began to drive
even more aggressively and sped up even more.
I took a look in MY rear-view ...and saw that I was alone. So be it.
As we both proceeded eastbound, he darting in and around other cars, at
speeds way, way over the limit in an attempt to 'lose' me, I still
managed to 'keep a visual' and stay reasonably close. However,
I'll admit, at several points I _had_ to back off so that *I*, myself,
didn't cause an accident, as *I* maneuvered in and around traffic. I
also endeavored to maneuver so as not to give the impression, to
motorist that I sailed by, that we were in cahoots and 'drag-racing'.
Every time that I seemed to successfully close the gap - almost enough
to get a definite bead on his lic. plate - another car would either pull
in front of me (argh!) or he would further distance himself by accelerating away.
As I 'stayed with him', I thought to myself; if I had taken the wife's
car, he would have left me in the dust a long time ago. Weird.
We continued this cat-n-mouse for miles (and I mean miles). He would
move into the exit lane and 'pretend' to get off at an exit - only to
speed up and cut even more motorists off as he forcefully maneuvered
into the passing lane to 'open her up' in a vain attempt to increase this
margin.
As exit 34 approached (the crash happened around exit 18 or so) he began
to slow down and purposefully move into the exit lane. I stayed in the
middle lane ...'just in case'. As the sign for 'Farmingdale - route 109'
appeared he spiked the steering, peeled off and made a decisive exit. I
responded by accelerating and closing on his rear because I knew if he
got away and into 'side streets' then -- game over.
My whole focus, all along, but moreso now, was to get close and
unequivocally get that friggin' number plate.
As I dropped her into 2nd. gear and hauled her around the exit ramp I
caught sight of something wonderful in the near distance ...a RED stop
light with several cars already occupying all three lanes. He had no
choice but to come to a stop.
I stopped right behind him and locked my eyeballs on his plate. I kept
on reciting his number plate over and over, like a line to a
favorite poem, as I simultaneously took note of the color (dark blue)
and type of car (Scion tc).
Then I eased out the clutch, moved out from behind, stopped alongside
and looked right at him. He was, now, no more than 5 feet from me. He
looked straight ahead but had that expression of "%$^*" on his face.
Then he casually looked to his left and our eyes met but I just kept on
staring until he looked away. He was not happy.
When the lights went green he floored it and took the right side-street
but, at this stage, I really didn't care, I HAD him! All I needed now
was a cop. (Can you find one when you need one?)
Continually reciting the lic. plate aloud, as I drove slowly along
rte-109 south, my eyes earnestly searching for a cop -- I caught sight
of, in almost total disbelief, a sign: State Trooper Headquarters /
Republic Airport Terminal (on right).
Thankyou God!
I filed a full report with the desk clerk and agreed, having provided my
own personal information, to speak with the 'on-scene' investigators,
should they decide to call for additional details.
Then, I'll fully admit, having gotten back into my car ...I started
shaking.
After calming down a bit, I reversed direction, got back onto the
Southern State then drove somewhat conservatively to the airport where
from behind the desk, the staff expressed their surprise at seeing me,
somewhat unannounced and with no airplane reservation! ("You're here
because.....?!")
As I sat down beside the warm stove, slowly beginning to relax, sipping
on a cup of micro-waved coffee and gnawing on a donut, I began to divulge
what had just transpired.
I still, even now, have more questions than answers.
G.
Last edited by g_murray; 03-05-2007 at 12:45 PM.
03-05-2007, 10:56 AM
#5
Race Car
Originally Posted by Svaha
Sometimes someone has got to step up and do the right thing. Thankfully, you were there.
You did the right thing,
Good Job!
You did the right thing,
Good Job!
Mike
03-05-2007, 10:59 AM
#6
Track Day
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 17
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Awesome
That was a fantastic read and I wholeheartedly applaud your efforts.
I remember being in a similar situation on the London underground. Lots of people waiting to get on a busy tube (it wasn't the right train for me so I was stood back a bit) and I see this grubby looking tramp woman queueing too. It took me a moment to realise that she wasn't changing entrance doors to have a better chance of getting on, but she was pilfering peoples valuables from their purses and bags!
I saw her grab a purse from a handbag and then instantly jump on another carriage. I froze for a split second while thinking what to do, but by the time I moved to the train the doors had shut. I remember standing there looking at her through the window hoping this would be one of the times where the driver opens the doors again (no idea why they do this!) but the train just pulled away.
I was annoyed at my indecision for the rest of the day and I don't think I could even tell what I would have done when I confronted her. I've been a victim of theft a few times and have a very, very low tolerance for thieves. Next time I'll be on that tube pulling the emergency break for sure.
I remember being in a similar situation on the London underground. Lots of people waiting to get on a busy tube (it wasn't the right train for me so I was stood back a bit) and I see this grubby looking tramp woman queueing too. It took me a moment to realise that she wasn't changing entrance doors to have a better chance of getting on, but she was pilfering peoples valuables from their purses and bags!
I saw her grab a purse from a handbag and then instantly jump on another carriage. I froze for a split second while thinking what to do, but by the time I moved to the train the doors had shut. I remember standing there looking at her through the window hoping this would be one of the times where the driver opens the doors again (no idea why they do this!) but the train just pulled away.
I was annoyed at my indecision for the rest of the day and I don't think I could even tell what I would have done when I confronted her. I've been a victim of theft a few times and have a very, very low tolerance for thieves. Next time I'll be on that tube pulling the emergency break for sure.
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03-05-2007, 11:06 AM
#9
Rennlist Member
Great story! I hope the people in the Explorer were okay.
Two years ago, I had something somewhat similar happen to me on 95. A crazy car swerved and caused a Suburban to drive off of the shoulder and roll about two or three times into an embankment at 60 mph. I was 100 yards away and saw what I thought were small children being ejected out of the shattering side windows. Fortunately, the occupants, a mom and four kids, were all belted in and survived unscathed in that bank-vault Chevy.
Two years ago, I had something somewhat similar happen to me on 95. A crazy car swerved and caused a Suburban to drive off of the shoulder and roll about two or three times into an embankment at 60 mph. I was 100 yards away and saw what I thought were small children being ejected out of the shattering side windows. Fortunately, the occupants, a mom and four kids, were all belted in and survived unscathed in that bank-vault Chevy.
03-05-2007, 11:25 AM
#11
Instructor
Join Date: Jan 2004
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FANTASTIC story. Well done.
It sounded like it could have been a scary situation pulling up to that stoplight. Who knows what kind of creep this was in the scion. Thankfully THAT didn't turn ugly as well.
Glad to hear you had the right tool for the day's job.
-terry
It sounded like it could have been a scary situation pulling up to that stoplight. Who knows what kind of creep this was in the scion. Thankfully THAT didn't turn ugly as well.
Glad to hear you had the right tool for the day's job.
-terry
03-05-2007, 12:36 PM
#14
Race Car
Originally Posted by thehawke
That was a fantastic read and I wholeheartedly applaud your efforts.
03-05-2007, 12:43 PM
#15
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Great Job! Its too many times Bozo's get away with this sort of crap...but of course his punishment will be minor but I hope they throw the book at him....we have all encountered idiots like him and always wish to be traffic cops at that instant!
Cheers,
Mike
Cheers,
Mike