Jan 7, 2012
Looks like we all surrived the holidays. (we live to shop another day) We had a great time at home. Spending time with the grandkids is always my favorite time. Watching Christmas from their eyes is wonderful. More Grandkids!!! thats what the world needs.
We headed out from Lebanon to Sacramento, not good miles but at least it got us rolling and into California. From Sacramento we headed to Salt Lake City. From there we got a load to Miami. Finally some good miles.
The trip was uneventful until i got to Atlanta. It was dark and I hit something on I75. At first I thought the truck passing me had a blow out, but it didnt feel like I ran over rubber, Felt like I hit the Jersey barrier. (not that I ever hit one..)
I pulled off immediately. Shaking so bad I couldnt turn the radio down. Will looks out of the sleeper “what the hell was that” I told him, I hit something. You hit something? What? I dont know, ...(i was really crying by then and shaking more) so Will got out, I got out and realized the driver steps are bent up and uneven.
I pulled off immediately. Shaking so bad I couldnt turn the radio down. Will looks out of the sleeper “what the hell was that” I told him, I hit something. You hit something? What? I dont know, ...(i was really crying by then and shaking more) so Will got out, I got out and realized the driver steps are bent up and uneven.
Will and I walk back on the freeway looking with the flashlight to see what I hit. We found nothing. We did find across the freeway on the opposite side 3 vehicles stopped. I told Will thats about where I hit something, on my side of the freeway. Thank God we did not find another car or motorcycle in the ditch.
We walk back to the truck the whole time Im thinking I really have to pee now, I hope the police hurry and get here so I can give my urine sample. I called to report the accident while Will was checking out the damage, making sure the fuel tank was not compromised, checking the fuel tank straps. looking under to see what damage was done and doing duct tape repairs.
They told me I didnt have to file a police report because no other vehicle was involved, no other property was damaged and no body was injured. (guess nerves dont count)
They told me I didnt have to file a police report because no other vehicle was involved, no other property was damaged and no body was injured. (guess nerves dont count)
Will said there was rubber on the front of truck , on the busted pieces of the flaring and on the fuel tank. So he agreed I hit a tire. I said it felt like cement. He said it was probably that truck's spare tire some drivers keep their spare mounted on the rim so they can change the tire themselves and not have to pay the call out charge. The noise I heard was probably the tire falling off the truck, not a blow out.
When we get all situated and ready to leave we notice there is a police car with the vehicles on the other side of the freeway. I drove over there and talked to the officer, telling him I hit a tire and I have signification damage, I wondered if these cars are related to my problem. He said no they didnt lose a spare, they hit a tire. Anyway, talking it through we guess what happened is, I hit the tire and it flew over to the other side where they hit it. Nobody else on my side stopped, nobody in front or behind me swerved to avoid debris, nobody else knew anything happened or they just didnt care enough to check on me.
Seems weird to me that I would be the only one to hit the tire and it would take off flying horizontal never hitting anything on my side of the freeway and land on the other side damaging other vehicles. But that's the general consensus.
Despite what happened I am really blessed. I am so blessed. I didnt hurt anyone and we weren't hurt. So many things could have gone wrong. I hate to think how things would have turned out if the tire would have bounced and came through the windshield, or even hit the truck at a different angle and come up the drivers door.
Despite what happened I am really blessed. I am so blessed. I didnt hurt anyone and we weren't hurt. So many things could have gone wrong. I hate to think how things would have turned out if the tire would have bounced and came through the windshield, or even hit the truck at a different angle and come up the drivers door.
Swift says we should return to the Decatur, Georgia yard and have the truck repaired there. They would also get someone to take our load to Miami.
We get to Decatur the shop tells us they would order the parts and we could be on the road Wednesday. Cool beans. Not too bad. In the morning, they tell us they cant fix it and we would need to take it to Memphis, about 375 miles. Ok so off to Memphis we go.
Thats where we are headed now to Memphis. I think will is secretly hoping to see Barbie and Suzie Q from our last stay in Memphis. ~~~see my last post, just another man impressed with my driving skills~~
I'll let you know what happens next.
Love and Miss you all so much.
