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My son was in a car accident last night...

By Bobbie Files

Real Estate Agent with Success Real Estate

December 02, 2008 11:15 PM

My 17 year old son was in a car accident last night. He is okay (thankfully) and to the best of my knowledge so are the people in the other car. He was heading home from Middleboro on Rt. 105 on the small portion that is considered state highway which is 4 lanes - 2 going one way 2 going the other - someone was taking a right turn so he went into the other lane and unfortunately he did not notice the car ahead of him. He stepped on his brakes but his truck didn't stop (we think that because the truck had Anti Lock Brakes he didn't understand that you need to release the brake and re-step on it), he went to swerve around them and clipped their driver's side rear.

Accidents happen that is why they are called accidents not "on purposes".

This was his first accident. He will be 18 in a month and has been driving for almost 1.5 years. In kid time he has done pretty good so far.

Needless to say he was very upset, scared, nervous. He immediately told the Police what had happened and didn't try to lie or make excuses. He's a good kid, yes I am biased, but he really is a good boy. We have never had the least bit of a problem with him, no principal visits or detentions.

What has me concerned enough to write this is the fact that the Police left him there on the side of this "state highway" alone until my husband arrived. My son called us and my husband immediately loaded up his flatbed to go get him, my husband even spoke with the Police to let them know he was coming and bringing his flatbed to grab the vehicle and my son. The Police determined (after speaking to my husband) that is was too unsafe to leave the truck until my husband could arrive so had the wrecker come and get it. I DO UNDERSTAND THAT. But what I just can't swallow is that it was okay to leave a 17 year old there alone in the dark and the cold after an accident, but not okay for the truck.

Why the Police couldn't wait with him astounds me!?!?!

He is still a child, my child, would they want that done to their own???

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Barb Szabo, CRS

RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH

E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Bobbie, That's pretty unbelievable. What were they thinking?

Dec 02, 2008 11:21 PM

Heather the Realtor Orlando, Lake Mary

LemonTree Realty - Orlando, FL

First Time Home Buyers, Bank Owned Homes

Welcome to Police officers most of them that work that side of the law are not the best people. I have tons of friends in law enforcement and that's what I normally hear. These are the ones with egos and attitudes who dont truly care about the people.

Side not anti lock brakes are not meant to be pumped those are old school brakes that you do that with, the foot stays firmly planted the entire time. If he didnt have time to stop he was going too fast for the distance needed to slow the vehicle. Not saying he was speeding, just the distance to speed ratio.

Dec 02, 2008 11:27 PM

Sally K. & David L. Hanson

EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI

WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Seventeen or 77....hardly sounds humane...my next calls would be to...the police chief, alderman or city council person, mayor....sounds like very questionable judgment and lack or procedure....glad your son is OK....happiest of holidays !

Dec 02, 2008 11:28 PM

Richard Shuman

The Only B.S. I Have is from the University of Massachusetts - Lake Mary, FL

Real Estate Broker - Orlando Area - Love Referrals

I used to live in Lakeville and know some of the police officers there. I can't imagine one of them leaving an adult on the side of a road at night let alone a child. I don't know what is protocol in that situation but I can't imagine what happened to your son is. I would definitely look into it if only to make sure it doesn't happen to another child.

Kudos on having a responsible son.

Dec 02, 2008 11:32 PM

Michele Connors

The Overton Group, LLC Pitt & Carteret County - Greenville, NC

Your Eastern North Carolina Realtor

THis is worthy of investigating. We are glad to hear he is unharmed physically. I have a 17 yr old and would be a mad hornet if this happened to her.

You have a right to speak out.

Dec 02, 2008 11:33 PM

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®

RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI

Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Wow! I am so sorry about the accident, but glad noone was hurt. I can't believe they'd let him there alone!

Dec 02, 2008 11:35 PM

Bobbie Files

Success Real Estate - Taunton, MA

Realtor, Berkley, Greater Taunton Homes for Sale

Barb - I wish I knew what they were thinking. Thanks!

Heather - They did determine he wasn't speeding but I do agree he was going to fast for the situation. He insists that his brakes just let go so I assumed it was the Anti-Locks. He has never lied to us in the past so if he says his brakes stopped working I have to believe him.

Sally & David - Thank you so much. I will definitely look into it today!

Richard - When he got home he was a nervous wreck - understandably - but being alone on a road at night didn't help. Thank you!

Dec 02, 2008 11:38 PM

Marjorie Taylor

Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage - Saint Augustine, FL

New Homes in St. Augustine Florida

Nothing more frightening than getting a late night call while your child is out driving. I am glad your son is OK, but what a horrible experience for him. I would be upset too and would report this officer's poor judgement.

Dec 02, 2008 11:39 PM

Laura Karambelas

Baird & Warner Downers Grove - Downers Grove, IL

Realtor - Downers Grove

This is one of my biggest fears having a son the same age as yours. The 1st few months he was driving alone was scary and the second I heard a siren I would "freak out". Thank God your son and the other drivers are OK.

I would call the police dept. and explain your feelings about leaving your son alone on the dark road. If more people looked at situations as "What if that were me" I think the world would be a much better place.

Dec 03, 2008 12:05 AM

Anonymous

Liz Provo, Massachusetts 4 Sale By Owner

As the parent of two daughters, ages 17 and 19, I am always uneasy when they are out driving, especially at night. We live in a semi-rural area with poor lighting and limited cell phone reception in some areas. Luckily, other than one traffic stop resulting in a warning for speeding (45 in a 35 mile zone), we have been very lucky. The warning worked to slow her down.

It doesn't sound like responsible police behavior, however, to leave someone alone in the dark. It could be that the officer had an emergency and had to make a judgement call on where his resources needed to be. That's the only reason I can think of that your son would have been left to wait alone. I'm sure that he will learn from this and it will make him alert to expect the unexpected. Good wishes to your family.

Dec 03, 2008 12:19 AM

#10

Gene Mock

Associate Broker ~ Premier Team, KW Realty - Leesburg, VA

GRI, CRB, CRS, ABR, CIPS, TRC, SFR, SRES

Wow - I'm glad your son is safe, it is scary to have an accident at any age. Have you written a letter to the Chief yet?

Dec 03, 2008 12:45 AM

Konnie Mac McCarthy

MacNificent Properties, LLC - Cobb Island, MD

Broker/Owner - VA & MD "Time To Get A Move On!"

That is rediculous, arn't they supposed to look after the safety of citizens...I would file a complaint, I can't believe they would do that.... :)

Dec 03, 2008 01:13 AM

Anonymous

Cheryl Cross Real Estate

I am so thrilled to hear that your son as well as the people in the other car were not injured. Not only am I a Real Estate agent, but I work in a Boston Emergency Room CT Dept. I can not tell you how many "accidents" come in. I see so many broken young bodies-to many to count. Young, inexperienced kids driving along a fast road- they do not mix and is a recipe for "accident"

I understand your frustration with the police, and maybe there is a logical explaination(maybe another young, inexperienced driver in worse shape than what your son was in). We can only hope that our young drivers pay more attention to the road. Congrats on raising your son to tell the truth.

Dec 13, 2008 08:46 AM

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