We were on the way to Southwestern Seminary for a conference when we hit some traffic on 290 near Fairfield (NW)of Houston). I thought it was road construction. As we stopped and started and came to the top of an overpass (hundreds of cars passing...mind you) we saw the reason for the delay...a smashed up car...which had been creamed by a goose-neck truck and trailer. It was sitting in the middle of the highway and traffic was going (squeezing) b/w it and the concrete barricades on the overpass..since it was sitting sideways on the middle stripe.
There were no cops...only the truck...100 yds down the road...and the car...and a little old lady who had seen it happen. My wife and I...along with 3 kids (8, 6 and 4 mo) decided to stop. We activated our emergency OnStar and my wife gave details as I ran back to the scene...avoiding all the cars as they made their way past the accident.
I got to the trucker...he was OK and doing paperwork! I got to the old lady and she was trying to work her cell...and I asked her if anyone was in the car...expecting the answer to be no...because surely someone would be helping. She said yes.
I ran to the car...and in it was a 17 yr old kid (found his D.L. later) half-dead....bleeding and sprawled over his front seat....glass everywhere.
Meanwhile...an 18 wheeler was trying to squeeze b/w the wreck and the barricade. I put a stop to that as I checked the guys ABC's. The trucker stopped...gave me a dirty look that I had dared stop him on a busy run as I tried to save this kids life in the middle of the road...and then proceeded to sit there and talk on his CB 20 feet away from me as I tried to keep the kid stable until the EMS arrived. Only 1 other person got out (off) of their vehicle...a biker. They sat life-flight down on the highway by the wreck.
Needless to say...I had a big wake up call about the "good samaritan" thing. If you think it exists in Houston, TX...think again. Hundreds of people drove past that kid as he laid dying and only a little old lady stopped so she could call 911. Nobody else lifted a finger.
I was just thinking about the parable of the good Samaritan. Fitting.
The image of Hope, the portrait Rev Wright heralds, is not what he thinks it is.
Hope is what the victims of that accident were feeling, Hope is what you delivered. It happens one person at a time.
You might be quite amazed by what good fortune awaits you, and how it plays out in your life.
When I was 18, I was looking for a store, couldn't find it. Pulled over to the side of a road to think about what to do. I heard a LOUD boom, and a man came running out of a building, his hair and back were on fire. I didn't even think; I grabbed my jacket, jumped out of the car and ran to him, wrestling him to the ground, with my jacket-covered hand slapping the fire off him. Now, a crowd had gathered, all trying to help. I could tell he was in shock. Everyone talking at once. I loomed into his face, looking deep into his eyes, and I told him he was alright. Everything was fine. I could see his eyes relax, he came out of shock.
15 years later, I was on a BART train coming from work. Crowded car. A man from the back of the car, said loudly "I know you". (Ulps, sez I). I know you! As he made his way towards me in the extremely silenced car, he told everyone that I had saved his life years ago (I hadn't, I'd just put the fire out). That I had appeared to him as an Angel. And he wanted to thank me. He said it was my eyes. We gave each other a hug, small talk. The car of people began clapping. And suddenly that car became a party, not strangers traveling on a BART train during commute hours. I thought about it later that night. I'll bet most everyone on that BART train that night went home thinking about how they could care better for others; how they might help.
My point is this, dear poster. You've no idea how many people you may have inspired that day to help others.
These stories bring tears to my eyes.....My family and I would have done the same thing you did and I am proud to say that we raised our 3 sons to come to the aid of the weaker....
Bless you for stopping and helping. Your kids will be doing the same thing because they have great examples called parents....
I certainly hope you are not sued for “medical malpractice” or “practicing medicine without a license.”... that would be a normal response in this litigious world.
I got into an auto accident once and a kind soul not only stopped, but actually drove me home (1 hr. ride). I always try to stop unless the person seems to have well in hand (young guy changing a flat).
I'm a cowboy on a steel horse I ride...
BTW how much help was OnStar? It used to be when I called something in on my cell phone they would say "Ok we already got 10 calls on it." Now days they are like "Oh you are the first call."