Az I See It....
It was dark at 10:13pm, on Saturday, May 1st, eastbound, on the way back from a fun-filled, Laughlin, Nevada golf outing. The weather was great, the skies were clear and moonlit, and the roads dry, although under construction restrictions - only one lane in each direction. I sat in the seat directly behind the bus driver, on the aisle, with a clear view of the roadway.
Our loaded, Greyhound-sized charter bus was traveling under the posted speed limit, as a red Dodge Caravan pulled out from the side of the roadway ahead. As the bus neared the auto, it appeared the Dodge driver was distracted, for some reason applying the brakes. The bus driver slowed more, and then veered into the westbound lane to avoid a rear end collision, as the Caravan seemed to disappear to the right. A short sigh of relief vanquished as the Caravan reappeared, in a flash, and attempted to make a U-turn in front of the bus, with immediate, catastrophic results! The bus came to a stop on the westbound shoulder, as the Caravan continued its slide into the desert area just past the shoulder, some 30 feet ahead.
I immediately dialed 9-1-1, as others exited the damaged bus to see if the Caravan driver would need assistance. One returned to the bus, telling me to inform the operator that EMT services were needed, as it appeared that the woman driver was unconscious and bleeding. I gave our location - just east of the Lake Pleasant Marina entrance - and then called my wife to let her know I'd be late. The 9-1-1 operator then called back, saying we had been cut-off, but I think she was just hoping it was a prank call. She assured me that help was on the way.
The police later confirmed my suspicions - that the driver had probably been confused - missing the Marina turn-off, and most likely getting directions from someone on her phone - still clutched in her hand. That person probably said something to the effect that she missed the turn-off, and needed to turn around. I know that she never knew we were on the road behind her - never saw us - and hopefully never felt the impact. A Peoria policeman later would tell us that she did not live, after being airlifted out.
The bus driver was devastated, the end of our trip was emotionally ruined, and we all felt the same - had the driver not been on her cellphone, this accident would never have occurred. God rest her soul, but let this be a forewarning to others who oppose legislation against cellphone usage while driving.
When our replacement bus finally departed, at 1:35am, we noticed several small, white crosses, along the same desert roadside - remembrances of others who have lost their lives on this same stretch of road, either before or after having the time of their lives. The last times!
Our loaded, Greyhound-sized charter bus was traveling under the posted speed limit, as a red Dodge Caravan pulled out from the side of the roadway ahead. As the bus neared the auto, it appeared the Dodge driver was distracted, for some reason applying the brakes. The bus driver slowed more, and then veered into the westbound lane to avoid a rear end collision, as the Caravan seemed to disappear to the right. A short sigh of relief vanquished as the Caravan reappeared, in a flash, and attempted to make a U-turn in front of the bus, with immediate, catastrophic results! The bus came to a stop on the westbound shoulder, as the Caravan continued its slide into the desert area just past the shoulder, some 30 feet ahead.
I immediately dialed 9-1-1, as others exited the damaged bus to see if the Caravan driver would need assistance. One returned to the bus, telling me to inform the operator that EMT services were needed, as it appeared that the woman driver was unconscious and bleeding. I gave our location - just east of the Lake Pleasant Marina entrance - and then called my wife to let her know I'd be late. The 9-1-1 operator then called back, saying we had been cut-off, but I think she was just hoping it was a prank call. She assured me that help was on the way.
The police later confirmed my suspicions - that the driver had probably been confused - missing the Marina turn-off, and most likely getting directions from someone on her phone - still clutched in her hand. That person probably said something to the effect that she missed the turn-off, and needed to turn around. I know that she never knew we were on the road behind her - never saw us - and hopefully never felt the impact. A Peoria policeman later would tell us that she did not live, after being airlifted out.
The bus driver was devastated, the end of our trip was emotionally ruined, and we all felt the same - had the driver not been on her cellphone, this accident would never have occurred. God rest her soul, but let this be a forewarning to others who oppose legislation against cellphone usage while driving.
When our replacement bus finally departed, at 1:35am, we noticed several small, white crosses, along the same desert roadside - remembrances of others who have lost their lives on this same stretch of road, either before or after having the time of their lives. The last times!
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