On Father’s Day, while we were headed east on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, on our way to a family vacation in Amish country, the steering on our 1992 Taurus gave out. The car spun out in the grassy median, flipped over, and came to rest partially in a westbound lane.–Dennis G. Jerz
—What I Did on My Summer Vacation: Walked Away from This… (Jerz’s Literacy Weblog)
This wasn’t a lot of fun to experience, but if you’ve got to be involved in a rollover accident, I strongly recommend that you become involved in one that doesn’t kill anyone.
On this blog, I don’t want to talk about what might have caused the accident, and I’m not seeking advice on what to do next. Anyone who’s had a close brush with death sees life as more precious.
My son dictated his description of the accident in a letter he wants me to give to his piano teacher. He ended it with, “Well, I hope you’re glad we survived.”
Hi Dennis
Checked your blog last weekend when I heard about John Lovas and figured you must be on vacation. Having just checked again today to see and read about this, I am in shock. I am so glad you and the family are ok and that you shared your son’s witty remark to calm us down. Take care and know that you’re in my prayers.
Thanks for your kind words….
I’m beginning to wonder whether I should have tempered my own desire to write about the accident, since I certainly didn’t intend to upset anyone. My primary emotions contniue to be relief and joy — it could have been so much worse, and it wasn’t.
Wow. Glad you’re all okay–that looks really, really bad.
Glad to hear you and your family are ok Dennis.
So scary, and so relieving that you and your family weren’t more seriously injured. Some bad luck followed immediately by some very very good luck.
Thanks for all your kind words. Matt, that’s a good one… any accident in which people can walk away from it isn’t a terrible one. Scary, yes, but so many things that could have been slightly different weren’t. The glass is definitely half full.
Wow….I don’t know what to say. Glad everyone is okay. Not to make light of a terrible accident, but see what happens when you go offline for a week?
I’m so sorry to see that this happened, but so very glad that it turned out ok. Take care,–Billie
These accidents remind us how lucky we are. I saw a similar accident today on the way to Barnes and Noble. Across from the mall, a car was toppled over and looked very similar to the position your car was in. It just reminds us how volitile our temporal lives are. I guess we just have to make the most of what we have.
I’ve been caught in one of those, although not one as intense as that. I hope that you and your family are doing better Dr. Jerz. I’m glad that everyone made it out alive and safe.
Dennis, Thank God nobody was hurt after seeing the picture.
Dennis,
I’m so glad to hear you’re all okay. Take care.
Having the camera with me did sort of keep me centered. Peter took a few photos, too.
Will, yes, I noticed the problem you mentioned. Shouldn’t be too hard to fix — I probably just forgot to uncomment part of the code. My JSP editor is only on the office computer, and I’m not getting much time in the office now. It’s on my list of things to do.
Yikes!
Glad to hear you’re ok…that’s scary. Especially looking at that pic…yikes!
P.S. Something seems to be broken with the comments…there’s no “leave a comment” box on entries with existing comments. I had to click the permalink link to leave this one.
You all were very, very lucky to have walked away from this one. I’m sure there’s going to be some extra kisses and hugs around the Jerz household for a long time.
Dr.Jerz, I am very sorry to hear about your family’s unfortunate accident. I have to say that I was shocked and very concerned when I checked your blog today. It is amazing that during the whole thing you managed to take those pictures. I hope your wife is feeling better as well.
Wow! I grew up in Lancaster County and I vividly remember three different cars sliding on their roofs while driving on roads there. Hope all recover in good health.
I am very sorry to hear this. I hope your children are indeed fine as well as you and your wife. That is just so sad to hear! I am sorry that I emailed you now, and didn’t try to figure out my problem on my own.
I wish you and your family the best and a speedy recovery. Like you said, at least you all are walking, talking and alive!
–Lou
Yup. It’s pretty amazing when you think about it.
Dennis,
I am glad that all of you are OK. I am surprised that the roof of the car stayed intact after flipping.
your older brother John
Get rest and get well. So glad that your family survived.
Leigh needed some stitches, and she has a second CAT scan appointment tomorrow. I still have some aches and pains, but when you consider the alternative, I think we’re doing pretty well.
How frightening. Is everyone indeed OK? It’s hard to believe it from the picture.
Wow Dennis. Very glad everyone was okay.