This past
Saturday morning (March 30, 2019), I was running some errands in the
Brentwood/Franklin area. The weather was
beautiful with nothing to hamper my enjoyable midday drive.
I was traveling
northbound on Franklin Road toward Brentwood. The traffic was rather congested
at 12:00noon but it wasn’t out of the ordinary.
The vehicles were moving at a normal rate of speed with traffic
progressing in both directions. Almost
in a split second, the vehicle in front of me – a Ford F250 suddenly, with no
warning or turn indicator shown, began to make a narrow-left turn onto South
Berry’s Chapel Road. The traffic from
the other direction was moving normally including an SUV that showed no
indication of turning nor was he given the time to slow down as this vehicle
left turned in front of him. The older
male driver in that SUV had less than 50 feet to avoid this vehicle turning in
front of him.
An unavoidable
collision!
As most witnesses
to accidents will tell you, a collision happens very quick and this one was no
exception! The F250 actually turned onto
the west bound lane – not the eastbound lane where he should have turned if he
had made a 90 degree turn angle. The
oncoming vehicle had 3 options:
- Heavy brake the car and STOP! (he didn’t have time in that 50 feet to avoid
the turning vehicle)
- Turn to the LEFT of the lane and he would
have hit me head-on!
- Turn right with hope that he could turn
quick enough to avoid the left-turning vehicle.
He didn’t have time for that either!
So, all I could
do was come to a dead-stop in my lane and hope no one was hurt. The airbag on the oncoming SUV exploded filling
up the front seat!. The gentleman,
inside, although slow to get out of his vehicle because of that airbag, made it
out and initially appeared OK. The Ford F250 was temporarily stunned/stopped
for about 20 seconds. I waited for that
male driver in his late 30’s or early 40’s to get out of his vehicle.
He NEVER got out of his vehicle!
Suddenly, the
F250 began moving away with damage to his front right bumper/quarter panel side
with what appeared to be fluid draining from the vehicle. He slowly accelerated the vehicle from the
accident. I initially thought he would
pull over to the side of the road. He didn’t!
He kept driving east bound on South Berry’s Chapel. In an instant, I had to make an important
decision:
- “Do I follow him and help this other
driver who apparently was going to be the victim of a hit & run?”
- “If I follow him, is it a smart move not
knowing this person’s demeanor or if he had a gun in that vehicle?”
- “Could I at least never get out of my car
and get a tag number for the authorities?”
I had all that run through my mind in
about 10 seconds. I immediately decided
to ask the oncoming traffic to stop and let me make that left turn; go around
that wrecked SUV and follow this hit & run driver to at least get the tag
number.
About a mile from
the scene, this driver had pulled into a driveway and as I slowly passed, I got
the TAG number and noticed he had gotten out of the vehicle.
Things became VERY clear!
The driver could
hardly stand. He was walking around in
circles, stumbled a couple of times and appeared to be completely dazed at what
had just happened. I stayed just long enough
to see that. I drove forward a few feet,
turned my vehicle around and drove back by the parked damaged truck to see the
driver still stumbling around. I
confirmed the tag number with another glance and quickly headed back to the
scene.
The Franklin Fire
Department had gotten there within 2 minutes of the accident. The Franklin Police officer was there just
after the FD and about 5 minutes later, The Williamson County Sheriff deputy
(who has jurisdiction of this area) arrived.
When I returned, the driver of the SUV who was hit was on the phone
appearing to be in good condition with only a cut on his back. I spoke with the Franklin PD officer and gave
my description of what had happened. I
conveyed to him the tag number and what I had seen from the driveaway vehicle –
especially the condition of the driver!
Another Franklin Police officer walked up and asked me where the vehicle
was. I offered to drive my vehicle with
him to follow to show him where I had last seen it. He was glad to have that
help!
The Drunk Driver wasn’t staying put!
As I approached
the vehicle location 2 second time with the Franklin Police officer behind me,
The Ford F250 was backing out of that driveway and was going to continue west
away from the accident scene. I slowed
my vehicle – put my arm out of the window to let the officer know THAT was the
vehicle pulling out. Immediately, the
office activated his sirens/lights, passed me and carefully approached the
vehicle who began to pull back into the driveway after seeing the policeman’s
presence. I slowed to an almost stop and
as I passed the area, the officer asked the man to get up against is truck, he
cuffed him and was walking him to the backseat of the police car.
I quickly
returned to the scene. I asked the other
officer if he needed more from me. He
wanted to know my name, DOB, address and phone number for the police
report. He was very kind and so
appreciative of the help.
Alcohol and Driving a vehicle cannot exist
together!
I’ve heard and
read stories about this throughout my 40+ year insurance career and have been
behind what was obvious to me – intoxicated drivers of motor vehicles. I’ve had some insureds who have been charged
with DUI and had to go through punishment and penalties for the danger they caused.
The driver of the
F250 should have never turned on the ignition of that vehicle Saturday. He was so extremely dazed and confused, I’m
not sure he realized what had happened except that his truck was damaged.
I quickly went to
the insurance angle of what happened which I most often do. His premiums will double or triple IF – IF the
company that is insuring him will continue to insure him. Because he drove away from the scene, he’s
going to have a hard time even being insurable with that record now following
him for AT LEAST 5 years. And it cannot
be missed that he’ll most likely spend thousands of dollars as he faces a
meeting with a judge and probable jail time in Williamson County for these
errors in judgement.
We can help those who might not be able to help
themselves!
When we see others
(or maybe yourself who is reading this) caught in these circumstances, let’s
get help! This appeared to be alcohol
related but there are drug addictions that sadly follow alongside alcohol. Here are some nationally known helpful
resources:
Should you do what I did?
You must decide
for yourself where you feel most comfortable.
I knew that I had to take my safety first in becoming involved. The general public assisting in crime events
is always a risk. We all have read of
serious injury or death occurring to a right-minded, caring citizen who just
wanted to help and see that justice was served.
I continued to stay clear of the F250 driver. I never desired to confront him myself. I always had the shield and speed of my
vehicle to give me an additional level of protection. Therefore, I thought that getting a tag
number could go a long way in assisting the authorities in finding this vehicle
and driver – especially if he had continued to drive away.
I have also made
myself available to testify for the not at fault gentleman’s behalf if the
event moves in that direction. I’m more
than happy to be available to do that so justice can be served. One must consider that piece of this puzzle
also when you step in to help.
Because of my
insurance career history, I have a fraction more confidence in this arena –
albeit right or wrong – to help because I’ve seen this situation in my work all
too many times especially with DUI events.
So, I know the routine and what is needed. You might not have that level of experience
and would need to reconsider your participation.
Don’t Drive Drunk!
We have all heard
it hundreds of time but still, so many people continue to think – they are different,
and their inebriated state isn’t bad enough to warrant them calling someone to
take them home. We so need to change
that attitude and action.
Please don’t miss
that fact that this occurred at 12noon on a Saturday. The middle of the day – not 2AM in the
morning!!! The risk is real – anytime!
I hope this gives
you some first-hand, eyewitness insight that will help you to pay more
attention, to drive responsibly yourself and be aware of your surroundings as
you drive anywhere at any time. Your
life or death as well as others is in your hands on that steering wheel!
If we can help
you with ANY insurance needs, we’re here and ready to “earn” your trust. TEXT or CALL US at 615.377.1212 or
EMAIL us at
info@BentonWhite.com.
