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There are good people out there.

41Forever Apr 12 2018 01:14 PM

The bad people get the attention, but there are angels walking among us. Yesterday my dad was riding his motorcycle on the Florida Turnpike when a woman decided that, after missing the entrance ramp, she really did want to go into the rest stop, and drove over the grass to get on the ramp. My Dad was in the lane at the time. He managed to avoid her, but hit a slick spot and rolled the bike at 65 mph. While the woman who caused the crash quickly drove away, several people stopped and helped him, and gathered all the things that were scattered as he was rolling -- like his wallet and his badge. He's in rough shape -- I'd be appreciative and blessed if you keep him in your prayers -- but it could have been so much worse. He was wearing his helmet, but has two broken ribs and many lacerations. But he was lucky to roll away from traffic and not into it. He's an experienced rider, so he knew to keep his arms tucked in. It's easy to forget about what could have been while we think about what is. It could have been much worse. No one got the names of the people who stopped and we'll never be able to properly thank them. But I'll forever be grateful for their kindness.

cooby Apr 12 2018 01:23 PM Re: There are good people out there.

I’m glad he’s (relatively) okay! What a scary experience! Did she not realize what happened when she drove off? Badge?

41Forever Apr 12 2018 01:30 PM Re: There are good people out there. Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 12 2018 08:15 PM

cooby wrote: I’m glad he’s (relatively) okay! What a scary experience! Did she not realize what happened when she drove off? Badge? Dad is a retired police chief, so he has a badge in case that is like a wallet. We'll never know if the woman knew what she caused.

MFS62 Apr 12 2018 01:33 PM Re: There are good people out there.

Sounds like a tough bird. Wishing him a quick heal. Did he, or the people who came to his aid, notice enough about the car that forced him off the road to be able to pick it out on a traffic cam somewhere along that road? Hope so. Later

41Forever Apr 12 2018 01:37 PM Re: There are good people out there.

MFS62 wrote: Sounds like a tough bird. Wishing him a quick heal. Did he, or the people who came to his aid, notice enough about the car that forced him off the road to be able to pick it out on a traffic cam somewhere along that road? Hope so. Later He is tough! We're hoping that one of the cameras at the rest stop picked it up. Florida Turnpike rest stops are huge -- like mini malls -- with a lot of cameras. Thank you for the kind words.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 12 2018 02:47 PM Re: There are good people out there.

Yikes. Best of luck for a quick recovery.

A Boy Named Seo Apr 12 2018 02:53 PM Re: There are good people out there.

Drivers are the worst. As a moto rider myself, I find 8 out of 10 of them are looking at their stupid phones. Frightening stuff, hope he heals up ok.

Edgy MD Apr 12 2018 02:55 PM Re: There are good people out there.

Heal quick and strong 41Dad. And then hunt that miscreant down.

Lefty Specialist Apr 12 2018 03:33 PM Re: There are good people out there.

Sounds like a tough guy. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

d'Kong76 Apr 12 2018 04:03 PM Re: There are good people out there.

Best to Pop41.

dgwphotography Apr 12 2018 06:41 PM Re: There are good people out there.

Prayers for the chief. Like you said, it could have been much worse. Hopefully he will be on the mend quickly.

Chad Ochoseis Apr 12 2018 07:52 PM Re: There are good people out there.

41Forever wrote: We'll never know of the woman knew what she caused. And even if she hadn't caused anything...driving on the grass to get to a rest stop instead of just biting the bullet and hitting the Mickey D's that's unquestionably within a mile of the next exit? Florida be crazy. Best wishes to your dad.

Rockin' Doc Apr 13 2018 01:35 AM Re: There are good people out there.

Hopefully, your Dad will have a speedy recovery. It is amazing how little attention some people pay to their surroundings when driving. I can professionally attest to how many of them can not see well, even if they do pay attention, because they are in denial regarding their vision or simply to vain to wear their prescription.

cooby Apr 13 2018 03:55 AM Re: There are good people out there.

Yeah I hope she just did not see Him Driving can be tough. You think you’re golden, but no one really is. Best to your dad!

TransMonk Apr 13 2018 11:40 AM Re: There are good people out there.

All the best to 41ForeverDad.

41Forever Apr 13 2018 12:15 PM Re: There are good people out there.

Thank you all for the kind words. Dad's home. Lots of bandages on hands, elbows and knees. He's seeing a surgeon today to see if there is any ligament damage in the hands, where the cuts are pretty deep. My brother and sister live nearby, so they're helping. My brother-in-law is a paramedic, and he's helping change the bandages. I think what might be hurting Dad more than the injuries is that he won't be able to ride the motorcycle any more. He's always wanted one, and finally got one for his 65th birthday and had 10 good years of riding. When I was a kid, I remember he was able to ride a three-wheel police motorcycle. We have photos of us all standing next to it. I don't think those lasted very long.

Centerfield Apr 13 2018 01:21 PM Re: There are good people out there.

41F, All the best to your dad. He sounds like a tough guy. Hearing what that woman did makes me so angry. Self-driving cars can't come fast enough.

G-Fafif Apr 13 2018 05:37 PM Re: There are good people out there.

All the best to your dad. A good person, based on our innings of interaction.

Frayed Knot Apr 13 2018 06:59 PM Re: There are good people out there.

So he's seen all kinds of good people turn their heads that day and was satisfied they were on his way?