Last Train to Clarksville

First One To The Stop Sign Wins!

Are you a fast driver? Always in a hurry, possibly running late and need to get out of your subdivision? Do you go over the speed limit to make it out in record time?  This hit home for me last night as

I was talking to my brother.  A cousin of his wife, named Dee, was struck by a car while she was running with her buddy on the street.  There were sidewalks right next to the street but they thought the pavement was softer on their knees and joints than the sidewalk.  The driver was blinded by the sun and hit Dee. She is being taken off life support this morning and has 3 girls she is leaving behind. 

I went walking in my subdivision this morning with a friend and we walk on the pavement instead of the sidewalk, like so many walkers and runners do.  I realized how unsafe it was even though we think in our neighborhood the speed limit is 25 mph, what could 25 mph do?  It could do alot.  After doing some research if you were standing up and fell over hitting your head, that is equivilant to 13 mph. That fall could kill you. You could survive being hit at 25 mph or you could die.  It all depends on where you’re hit and how you land.  As I was walking, I noticed that everyone leaving my subdivision was speeding over 25 mph.  I walk on the side where you see the on coming traffic but if your back is to the sun, the driver won’t see you.  So is the case with Dee.  The driver was blinded and hit her. She struck her head and landed the same way. Her body didn’t have any broken bones but her skull was crushed.

Next time you’re in a hurry to leave for work or an appointment and you gotta make it to the stop sign ahead because it’s one step closer to getting out of the subdivision, please be aware of your surroundings. When you see a pedestrian running or walking, go a little slower than the speed limit. You never know, the runner or walker might have earphones in and not be aware of their surroundings and decide to cross without looking.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Dee, her girls and her family.

UPDATE 4:39pm:  Dee passed away this morning a little after 10 am after being removed from the life support system. Her whole family was around her when she passed away.

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