Tragic day on Thursday

I was driving to do some Rescue business, heading north. I was less than a mile to my destination, traveling in the left hand lane. There was a large dodge extended cab truck traveling south in the left lane. She, for no apparent reason, swerved HARD and without hitting her brakes and hit a large oak tree head-on. It was so weird, because it was like it was in slow-motion. I heard the BANG after I saw her hit. It was crazy. I pulled over onto the grass, and ran to her side of the truck. The front of the truck was literally sitting on the front seat. The truck was on fire and there was smoke filling the cab. An Army Major was also at the scene. We were trying to get the door open, but it was crushed shut. The lady's eyes were open, and her head was on the steering wheel, but she was unresponsive. I feared she was dead. From the back of the cab I heard moaning. I looked and that was a little girl slumped over in the back. I ran around and noticed that she was covered in blood and mostly unresponsive. With smoke filling the cab, I hesitated for a split second to decide if I should move her or not. I made the decision to go ahead and pull her out. I grabbed her and held her close to me, cradling her neck and back. At that time, a lady came to ask if she could help. I just asked her to go and sit with Adan who was still in the car asleep, because at that point I was covered in blood. I laid the little girl on the ground and started talking to her. She started crying and blood was coming from her mouth. Her belly was very distended and I feared internal bleeding. I'm pretty sure her leg and arm was broken. She was not in a car seat and not in a booster. She was wearing an adult seat belt. She told me her name was Jo-Jo and that she was 4. She squeezed my hand and asked me if she was going to die. She told me she wanted her mommy. The driver was not her mom. She was her mom's best friend. A few minutes after I laid her down, a man came over. He introduced himself as a pediatrician. He saw the accident happen and came to see if he could help. He stabilized the little girl and I kept talking to her as the fire department and paramedics tried to get the lady stabilized and worked on. The little girl kept a tight squeeze on my hand while I talked to her and tried to sooth her. I talked to her about a lot of different things, to keep her awake, because she kept trying to fall asleep. I tried to get her mom's phone number and name from her, but she couldn't remember it. She'd hit her head pretty hard on the front seat.
The fire department finally got the lady out, but honestly, I don't know if she's going to make it. She was really messed up. She was about 10 ft away from me and I *thought* I smelled old or stale alcohol. I hope that's not what it was, but that's what it smelled like.
The paramedics finally came over and put the neck brace on her and put her on the back-board and loaded her up in the ambulance.
Please pray that that little girl is going to be ok. Also, for the lady. I've not heard yet about her condition. I've been watching the news, but so far no word.
After everything was over, I called DH and told him. It wasn't until then that I completely lost it. I was crying so hard. Now my right shoulder is hurting me really badly. The only thing I can think of is that my adrenaline got that door open. I think I may have pulled or torn a muscle in the process. Small price to pay, though. I'm just glad the little girl seems to be ok. Hug your little ones extra close tonight.



UPDATE
The police said that the woman driving was, as I knew, Jo-Jo's mom's best friend. Her name is Susan. Susan was at Jo-Jo's house "visiting" with the mom and dad. Jo-Jo wanted McDonald's, so Susan drove her. That's where they were going. It took the police/hospital workers HOURS to get in contact with the mom and dad. It took the parents even longer to get there. Jo-Jo's grandmother was the one who actually made it to the hospital and flew with her to the Children's hospital. It's guessed that the three of them had been "partying" together, and all of them were drunk/high.

I told the policeman exactly what I witnessed and what I thought (he asked) as I approached the vehicle. I told him that she had the 1000 yard stare that alcoholics/drug users have. I also told him that I immediately felt badly about thinking that b/c obviously, she was in pain, and that could've been the reason she was "out of it." I also noted to him the smell of alcohol. He told me that I would most likely have to testify against her, and wanted to know if I had any credentials to back up my thoughts. I explained that I have a B.S. in psychology, with a concentration in drug/alcohol abuse, that I was the Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Control officer for the Army for 6 years, and that I was a bartender for 6 years. He said that was good enough for him, and that he's confident that I know what I'm talking about. He did confirm my suspicions that she was drunk or on drugs. It made me feel better, in a weird way, because I didn't feel like I was "judging" her. She didn't even know that she was hurt. That's how out of it she was.

As for Jo-Jo, the majority of her wounds were caused by something (most likely a tire) flying from the bed of the truck, into the rear window, and into her head and neck. She has, obviously, head trauma, a neck/back injury, and brain swelling. I've not heard anymore about her condition. I have to go in on Monday to write a full report. I'm very anxious to do so. I'd like nothing more than to keep that "woman" off the streets for good. I hope her parents are also charged with reckless endangerment and are not allowed to see her any longer. Harsh, I know, but that baby girl needs a new start in life.

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