Deer in headlights
by Angelina Vaccari
Grace Arenson felt the sweat from her palms against the leather steering wheel as she drove through the neighborhood that had vibrant green yards and cottage style houses. Her boyfriend John Smith was eager for the chance to teach her how to drive.
She was already beginning to accelerate through the intersection before she heard it.
“Grace.. Grace!” John said.
Photo: Angelina Vaccari
Looking out the passenger window the last thing they saw was the massive metallic grill of the 18 wheeler enclosing in on the Honda Civic.
“I was a deer in headlights. Frozen. Everything may happen really fast but you feel every second pass,” Grace said.
She closed her eyes and felt her body slam against the left side of the car. The impact sounded like construction workers blowing up an old abandoned building.
She waited for the car to stop moving before she opened her eyes. She had a difficult time seeing where the car landed through the thick white smoke, air bags and shattered glass. The car had been pushed about 50 yards from the intersection.
Arenson began to hyperventilate and cry, worrying ‘What if the other driver is hurt.. Or worse? Is John okay?’
Fortunately, Grace and John were uninjured when they crawled out into the woods beside the road.
It was at that moment, crouched on the side of the street, waiting for first responders that Grace decided she wouldn’t try driving again.
“I genuinely don’t think it would be safe if I drove again because of the anxiety I experience. I’m happy being a ‘permanent passenger’,” Grace said.
