A little over forty hours ago, I witnessed a tragedy while driving on Route 287 South, right before the exit for Route 10 East. "This can't be happening," I vainly tried convincing myself during the five seconds I watched a man run across the highway and have his life come to an abrupt end. This is the kind of thing you hope you never have to see. Well, I saw it. Actually, I kept seeing it because my mind had been on continual replay ever since it happened on Wednesday, September 14 at about 12:45 PM.
I was driving inside of my little 1990 Honda Accord, going at about fifty-five miles per hour, when suddenly was shocked by seeing a man darting across the highway. At least a thousand thoughts rushed through my brain as I stunningly observed this total stranger momentarily stop, possibly hoping a car would slow down for him, then instinctively continue to run forward and immediately jump back from a passing pick-up truck, which had barely missed clipping him. I can only hope that one of the last feelings this man had was one of immeasurable relief that he wasn't a centimeter closer to the vehicle that almost hit him. This might have been his last conscious elucidation right before he courageously advanced forward, only to be defeated by a yellow sports car.
At this point, I impetuously pulled over, grabbing my cell phone and attempted to call 911. Immediately, I got out of the car and began making my way down to the scene. Frustrated by the fact that my cell phone was giving me the busy signal for a 911 call, I noticed others passing by and waved my arms to them, loudly shouting, "Someone call 911!" I noticed another guy who was on his phone and talking, logically understanding that he had a lot more luck with establishing contact with an emergency service than yours truly. (Thanks A LOT Verizon for denying me access to 911)
Not having any medical training whatsoever, besides a high school lesson in CPR and a rudimentary knowledge of the Heimlich maneuver, I despairingly reasoned at the horrifying reality of the situation. A driver in a truck slowed down coolly stating, "Here, put this over him." I picked up the large beige blanket and respectfully draped it over him, only to have the wind lift part of it off. I started putting it back over him and we all started shouting to him, "Sir, can you hear me?" Making sure I put the blanket underneath my hand, I placed my fingers on his wrist to feel if he had a pulse. Thinking that I felt something move, I angrily realized it was my own hand shaking.
A doctor pulled over and tried pumping his chest in a noble effort to get his heart going again, but it was all for naught. I felt so utterly helpless. At some point another witness, an older man probably in his sixties, compassionately put his arm around me and calmly asserted, "I don't think he's there." Ten minutes into the tragedy, the cops arrived and told us to wait for the state police. When they arrived at the scene, they naturally started asking us what had happened. We gave them our account. While filling out the police report, the air became oppressively hot and humid, as to almost symbolize the unseemliness of this man's unfortunate death. Then it began to rain, and pour. I completed the paperwork in the back seat of the state cruiser. After asking the police if I was done, I walked back to my car and slowly drove away more carefully and attentively than I had ever done before in my entire life.
I was back on the road, finishing off the drive to visit my friend that I had thought would last no longer than thirty minutes. When I met him for lunch, I decided that I wasn't in a good state to drive back home. I solemnly walked around aimlessly in the shopping centers, my mind adrift in a sea of contemplation. More significantly, I'm still drifting in that sea, trying to make sense out of and give meaning to what I saw. I don't know when I will find land, but until I do, this man's life won't leave my mind. I would like to truly express my unreserved empathy, compassion, support, condolences, and love for the family of this person. I never knew him, but I can intelligently assert that he was definitely a fearless man, which shall inspire me and give me strength to live my life more boldly than ever. Death comes to us all. It's only a question of how, and why.